John McIntyre

The McLean County Board will change to a Democratic majority next month. That hasn’t happened before. Democrats and Republicans are forecasting nuanced changes in how the railroad runs.

A prominent McLean County Republican said he thinks Democrats took control of the county board because, right now, they're better at the process of politics than the Central Illinois GOP.

Many attending Monday’s event applauded McIntyre’s ability to rise above partisan politics, as well as his efforts to bring economic growth to the community.

Republicans David Blumenshine, Chad Berck, Cathy Woods and Randall Knapp have thrown their hats in the ring to fill the seat left vacant by the recent resignation of former board chairman, John McIntyre.

District 1 representative Catherine Metsker was elected as board chair on Thursday after a series of votes that determined who would fill the position vacated by longtime member John McIntyre.

John McIntyre, a retired educator and football coach, who was re-elected in District 5 (Normal) last year, leaves the McLean County Board with just over three years remaining on his term.

The board held its regular monthly meeting in the courtroom of the McLean County Museum of History on Thursday due to renovations at the McLean County Government Center that also have temporary displaced the Bloomington City Council.

One county board member argued for two voting precincts to be eliminated, while the county clerk said her office had little to do with the precinct-drawing process.

McLean County Board Chair John McIntyre says if there's no resolution by March 16, he will direct the board to take action against the wind energy companies.

The board unanimously reelected Republican John McIntyre as chair, while Democrat Elizabeth Johnston was chosen vice chair as part of an agreement the two parties brokered after the Nov. 8 election when 10 Democrats and 10 Republicans won board seats.