By: Diane Benjamin

This was the agenda for the January 2nd for the MENTAL HEALTH AND PUBLIC SAFETY FUND ADVISORY COUNCIL (FAC)

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I have no idea why this committee, which is subject to FOIA, and the McLean County Behaviour Health Coordinating Council (not subject to FOIA) both need to exist.

No documentation was posted with the Agenda, that means only people who attended got an explanation.

Anyway, item b. was removed from the agenda early. The millions of unspent sales tax dollars is an easy target, the County wanted to tap those funds for the court child care services because the provider (Brightpoint) lost federal funding. See a description of the Brightpoint program below.

You need to thank Bloomington Alderman Sheila Montney for being on this committee. She was joined by Normal City Manager Pam Reece in pointing out this program does not meet the stated purpose both Bloomington and Normal agreed to for use of funds. Besides, the documentation from yesterday’s Justice Committee meeting shows the County was sitting on $105,930 from charging $8 to every civil case filed. When Sales Tax dollars didn’t win, Trial Court Administrator William Scanlon appealed to the County.

The FAC meeting was relatively short. It was enjoyable watching everyone else on the committee squirm. Item a. was defeated. Watch the video to see actual representation:

This story is from December: https://www.wglt.org/local-news/2025-12-19/bloomington-and-normal-bristle-at-mclean-county-sales-tax-funding-gap-for-court-programs

It’s always fun to see what was predicted and how it actually played out. This fiasco proves government would rather get additional money than spend what they have. Why did a Federal Grant ever fund this?

Below is a description of the program from Tuesday’s Justice Committee. The County had the money to fund this program all along. Long term additional funds will be needed, but there never as an emergency. https://mcleancountyil.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/1106?html=true

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