Justice Committee 10/7/26

The McLean County, Illinois, Justice Committee met October 7, 2026, and approved its consent agenda, including payment of bills and transfers. It approved a budget-neutral emergency appropriation for the Sheriff’s Department to shift funds into investigation expenses, a renewal grant agreement with the Illinois Emergency Management Agency for emergency operations center payroll, phones, and equipment, an Access to Justice grant that the county will pass through for travel and lodging, and a resolution continuing the State’s Attorney’s relationship with the state appellate prosecutor’s office. The committee also reviewed and approved multiple recommended FY2027 departmental budgets; members may propose revisions at the November meeting before the full County Board considers the overall budget. A Children’s Advocacy Center action item was withdrawn because supporting documentation was not received.

Procurement and spending items discussed in the budgets included a $50,000 METCOM CAD project management consultant; two Coroner’s Office vehicles requested for a total of approximately $185,000 (a $127,866 van and a $56,600 SUV); and the Sheriff’s Axon services contract, described as a 10-year agreement with an annual payment of $417,945, alongside a $612,000 software-license budget line. The Sheriff’s budget also reflected reduced vehicle requests after administration asked the department to consider used vehicles. The Jury Commission budget included a proposed jury-management system: $59,500 for software and first-year maintenance, with a separate $7,500 data-migration/configuration fee discussed. Other notable budget items included METCOM’s $4,539,617 total budget (with the county responsible for about one-third), and Circuit Clerk automation-fund spending and transfers. All budget requests presented for action were approved by committee; the full FY2027 budget remains subject to County Board action.