A blank COVID vaccination card located at a vaccination clinic in Bloomington.
More than 61,000 people in McLean County are fully vaccinated against COVID-19. That s just over one-third of the population.
But do you know how many of our police officers, street crews and other public-facing employees are vaccinated?
Actually, no one does.
Local government leaders say when it comes to staff vaccinations, it s don t ask, don t tell.
Cathy Oloffson is director of Communications and Community Relations for the Town of Normal. She said town staff is generally forthcoming about getting their COVID vaccines, so coworkers can plan accordingly.
“Many coworkers have been very honest about it. ‘I am going to be out. I am getting the vaccine or I might be here, depending on how I respond to the vaccine,’” Oloffson said. “Many people have shared it voluntarily.”
Staff / WGLT
A longtime public defender in McLean County is the new head of the office. Ron Lewis has been appointed, said Chief Circuit Judge Mark Fellheimer.
Lewis has spent a quarter century in the public defender s office.
“I am honored to lead the McLean County Public Defender’s office. Our office plays a critical role in the justice system and we have the important responsibility to represent our client’s rights,” said Lewis. “I value the unique partnerships across many organizations to meet the diverse needs of our clients and the broader justice system. I look forward to continuing these collaborations for creative solutions in McLean County. “
Staff / WGLT
The pandemic has slowed programs in McLean County that help keep people out of prison and the county jail.
Michael Donavan, the county s court services director, said recovery court and drug court usually offer intensive therapy and other services, but they are not seeing as much use right now. Referrals have been down this year because of COVID, over a 40% reduction in the referral rate. A lot of it has to do with the court cases that had stalled for a number of months, said Donovan.
Donovan recently told the county board s Health Committee that counseling and other programs offered to drug and recovery court participants also are not as robust right now because they are not happening, or are online because of the pandemic.
Town of Normal
A union-backed development group is moving forward with a $9 million affordable senior housing project that would use the old TB Sanatorium in Normal.
The Laborers Home Development Corporation has done a lot of senior housing and affordable family housing. The goal is to provide jobs for Laborers International union workers in the Midwest region. Laborers Home Corporation representative Tim Ryan said McLean County government approached the firm about the idea. We rehabbed a high school into senior apartments. I believe the county caught wind of that and asked if we would consider looking at this project for that same population, said Ryan.