By Neil Doyle

BLOOMINGTON – New members on the McLean County Board have delivered on a key issue to change the time of its monthly meeting.

County board members voted unanimously Monday to change the monthly meeting start time from 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. beginning next month.

“Little over a year ago the Rules Committee did a poll talking to board members about changing the time and the vote was 12-7 to leave it at 9 a.m.,” said Republican vice chairman Jim Soeldner, who previously was an advocate for morning meetings.  “But since there has been more talk, a later start time seems to be like a good idea.”

Board meetings will still be held on the third Tuesday of each month.  Other work like committee meetings will continue to be be done during the day time according to Soeldner.

Before discussion, newly elected officials were sworn in including District 1 Republican Gerald Thompson, District 4 Democrat Logan Smith, District 5 Democrat Elizabeth Johnston, District 7 Democrat Sharon Chung, District 8 Democrat Shayna Watchinski and District 9 Republican Lyndsay Bloomfield.

State Senator Daniel Biss, an unsuccessful Democratic candidate for governor, swore-in Watchinski.

Other discussion included a proposal to stop providing written minutes of committee meetings and instead provide audio versions.

The board will send that proposal to the County Board’s Rules Committee to make a recommendation at a later time.

Neil Doyle can be reached at [email protected]