Criminal Justice Coordinating Council

The move is part of an overhaul of the records systems for McLean County courts, law enforcement and county operations. An update on the county's progress to migrate court records was part of the quarterly Criminal Justice Coordinating Council meeting, along with briefings on public defense and recidivism rates.

New data spanning more than two decades of court records in McLean County shows two-thirds of people convicted on criminal charges do not reoffend.

The county-led program, in place since 2019, has contributed to fewer jail bookings for participants, including a steep decline in DUI and traffic charges.

Jon Albee is running unopposed to replace Sheriff Matt Lane, who is retiring. The Sheriff's Office runs the county jail, which draws heavily from a shared sales tax agreement.

The average across Illinois since the Pretrial Fairness Act took effect in 2023 shows people are placed on pretrial supervision at a 2-to-1 ratio when they are charged with a crime. In McLean County, more people are jailed while awaiting trial.

The latest missive on the dispute between the City of Bloomington, Town of Normal, and McLean County over how the county government handles shared sales tax money includes a vigorous defense of previous allegations against the county and proffers a reciprocal olive branch.

McLean County's three-year plan is the third of its kind, developed by an independent council of mental health stakeholders.

McLean County Board chair Elizabeth Johnston said the priorities in next year’s $144.5 million budget approved this week remain similar to the current year spending plan.

An Illinois State University researcher says more than half of the McLean County jail population has a mental or behavioral health condition. Mental health programming at the jail is one of the topics ISU's Stevenson Center is studying right now.

Research presented to the county's Criminal Justice Coordinating Council indicate young adults are a critical population in the criminal justice system.