COVID-19 seen to take out big chunk of McLean County government budget

Posted on May 7, 2020

*McLean County Administrator Camille Rodriguez. (WJBC file photo)*

By HOI ABC

BLOOMINGTON – McLean County government’s budget is likely to take a multi-million dollar hit because much of the COVID-19 pandemic, the county administrator reported Wednesday.

According to our news partner HOI ABC, Camille Rodriguez told the county board’s finance committee Wednesday night she expects a 20 to 35 percent drop this year in the general fund. That translates into a reduction of between $2.6 million to $6.9 million out of a budget of $104 million.

According to Rodriguez, sales tax revenue will fall 50 percent, or $550,000, assuming the governor’s stay-at-home directive lasts two months.

Very low interest rates are also expected to negatively impact the county government’s finances as investment income is estimated to cost the government $150,00 to $200,000, Rodriguez said.

She estimated the county will see a 25-50 percent drop in revenue generated from court fees due to the partial closure of the court system.

The county is gaining no revenue from video gaming, costing the county about $10,000, according to Rodriguez.

WJBC News can be reached at [email protected]

Blogs

Labor Day – Expanding voting rights for all

By Mike Matejka Because of COVID, there is no Labor Day Parade this year. It’s always a great event for our everyday workers to march proudly down the street and enjoys the festive crowd. If there had been a parade, this year’s Labor Day theme was to be “150 years of struggle: your right to vote.” …

Is federal mobilization the answer?

By Mike Matejka As President Donald Trump threatens to send federal marshals into Chicago, over the objections of Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker, recall another Illinois Governor who protested the incursion of armed federal personnel into the city. Those federal troops, rather than calming, escalated the situation, leading to deaths and violence. Illinois poet Vachel Lindsay…

In these troubled times, to my fellow white Americans

By Mike Matejka Our nation is at a unique watershed in human relations. African-Americans have been killed too many times in the past before George Floyd, but the response to this man’s death is international and all-encompassing. I was a grade-schooler during the Civil Rights 1960s. I watched Birmingham demonstrators hosed and the Selma – Montgomery…

Workers’ Memorial Day – Remember those whose job took their life

Looking around our community, when we say employer, most will respond to State Farm, Country, or Illinois State University. We too often forget those who are building our roads, serving our food, or our public employees. COVID-19 has made us more aware of the risk. Going to work every day for some people means…