By Heart of Illinois ABC

BLOOMINGTON – McLean County Board committee meetings will continue to be held virtually, scrapping plans for in-person committee sessions because of COVID-19 safety concerns.

Uncertainty whether board members or the general public would wear face masks during those meetings, and a recent surge locally in COVID-19 infections prompted two Democrats on the board to suggest last week that in-person meetings would be too risky.

Plus, in-person meetings would probably not be shown online, potentially putting citizens at risk because they too would have to actually attend the sessions. Some board members noted there has been more public interest in committee meetings because they’re streamed online.

After hearing members’ concerns, Board Chairman John McIntyre scrapped plans for in-person meetings, and the full board concurred Wednesday evening on a vote of 19-0, with one abstention.

In a statement emailed to board members earlier in the day McIntyre said he believes “any board and its respective committees actually function more appropriately and efficiently through in-person interaction.”

However, the chairman said the uptick in infections convinced him to change course.

After the board’s vote, McIntyre told members, “After much thought, and deliberation, and consultation with many of you, I just decided it was in the best interest of all of us, for the safety, health, and wellness of our current members, employees, the public, and staff to offer a substitute resolution and motion that you had in front of you and approved.”

The resolution allows the board to meet in-person for executive sessions, but no action can be taken during those closed-door meetings.

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