The McLean County Board on Thursday entered into an agreement with Macon County to hold one space at the McLean County Juvenile Detention Center for a Macon County youth.
The agreement, which was approved by the Macon County Board in January, nets the county $250 a day, or $91,250 a year for the space, and also allows Macon County to use additional beds at the same rate if they’re available.
The agreement comes out of a solicitation to all Illinois counties from McLean County Court Services because of available bed space in McLean County, which has 26 beds. According to county documents, admissions in 2025 were no higher than 15, including both in-county and out-of-county youths.
“It’s becoming increasingly more difficult for counties to secure bed space for their juvenile detention needs. We have a few that have closed recently, including one in Central Illinois,” said county administrator Cassy Taylor, referring to the Mary Davis Home in Galesburg that is slated to close in March.
Without a contract, finding space can be a challenge.
“They sometimes have to call multiple facilities to find one that has an opening,” said Taylor.
This is the only agreement the county has in place, but officials are open to additional agreements with other counties.
New liquor license
Also Thursday, the board approved an update to the county's liquor codes. Many of the changes were administrative, but the update also created a new class of license for establishments serving only pre-packaged alcohol.
The Class D license wouldn’t require McLean County Health Department inspection because everything is commercially pre-packaged. It’s also less expensive, $900, vs. $1,200 for a Class A license for a restaurant or bar that serves beer, wine and other liquor.
A Class D license holder also would not be required to obtain a food permit.
Currently, license holders that only serve pre-packaged alcohol have secured Class A licenses with stipulations. In documentation provided to the board, assistant state’s attorney Taylor Williams said the update will bring the code in line with current practice.
In other business, the board:
— Reappointed Timothy Jorczak, of Normal, as the county's supervisor of assessments. The four-year term runs through Feb. 21, 2030.
— Appointed Jeffrey Spader of Bloomington to the McLean County Regional Planning Commission. He will serve the rest of John Burrill's term that runs through Dec. 31.
— Appointed Brent Wick of Normal and Tim Christensen of Arrowsmith to the Emergency Telephone System Board. Wick will serve the remainder of Glenn Wilson's term that runs through Jan. 16, 2029. Christensen replaces Lee Klintworth, whose four-year term expires Jan 15, 2030.
— Approved a resolution for mutual aid between the McLean County Emergency Management Agency and the Illinois Emergency Services Management Association. The renewal continues an agreement that's been in place since 2007. It allows the county to request support from other agencies for events such as natural disasters. In return, McLean County offers similar support to other counties.
