McLean County plans to have its new code book available online. (Photo by Eric Stock/WJBC)

By Eric Stock

BLOOMINGTON – If McLean County authorities 'throw the book at you' – you better duck. The county's first book of codes is 702 pages thick.

The new book compiled by the State's Attorney's Office lists ordinances, fees and all regulations currently in effect.

The County Board on Tuesday approved creating the book.

Assistant State's Attorney for the civil division Don Knapp said until now, each county department had it's own posting system.

"It was department by department," Knapp said. "If you were a building contractor, you knew where to find the building ordinances, but if you were a layman who was looking for our setback laws, it was pretty cumbersome."

The book will be available online but County Board member George Wendt suggested setting a fee for the paper version.

(We should) encourage people to read it online, if we already have a price for it, otherwise someone might come in and ask for a hard copy.

Board member William Caisley doubts there will be much demand.

"I doubt this is ever going to be a best seller," Caisley quipped. "If you take it look at it, it is hardly what you would call bathtub reading."

Caisley recalls from his time as judge reviewing a 1926 ordinance in Cooksville that banned the driving of mule teams at less than 10 miles per hour. His point, the code book will need to be kept up to date.

The County Board will consider whether to add a fee next month. Anyone can make copies at the County Clerk's office for a fee.

Eric Stock can be reached at [email protected].