By Eric Stock
BLOOMINGTON – On a day when two McLean County Board members face primary challenges, the board has filled one vacancy on its own.
Democrat Lauri Wollrab of Normal was unanimously appointed to the seat. She left the board in 2014 after two terms and decided to come back when her successor Paul Finch left to take a job out of state.
“I had spent a year-and-a-half making sure my new role with the city wasn’t going to interfere with County board duties,” Wollrab said. “It gave me a break.”
Wollrab works in human resources for Bloomington. She has served on the county’s Board of Health during her time away, so she figures to do more than pick up where she left off.
“That bring some additional experience and understanding as I move on to the health committee here,” Wollrab said.
Wollrab added she wants to help ensure the County’s Board of Health and Health Department are on the same page implementing the county’s plans to improve mental health care.
Wollrab becomes the third board member to be sworn in since December, following David Selzer and Scott Murphy. The District 6 seat will be on the November ballot because Finch left with more than 28 months left on his term.
Koos honored
The County Board also presented a proclamation to McLean County Museum of History Greg Koos who is retiring at the end of March after 38 years of leadership.
Board member Victoria Harris presented Koos with a proclamation honoring his service to the county.
“A lot of people who like history don’t make history,” Harris said, referring to Koos’ role in converting the former McLean County courthouse into a museum. “I admire the stubbornness to persevere when the goal he envisioned didn’t stop him when he was told it couldn’t be done.”
PODCAST: The McLean County Board’s proclamation honoring Koos and his remarks.
Beth Whisman takes over as museum director on April 1.
Eric Stock can be reached at [email protected].
