McLean County Board Chair John McIntyre resigned suddenly last week shocking everyone active in local politics. People have questioned McIntyre, 80, about his running for reelection in the past, due to his age. But no one was expecting him to resign. In his resignation letter McIntyre stated he was retiring for health reasons.
“I was shocked and surprised at his resignation,” said Jim Soeldner (R) a member of the county board who said he had no advance notice regarding McIntyre’s decision. Soeldner is Vice Chair of the Property Committee and the Transportation Committee.
“I was shocked when I heard the news Tuesday morning” said Krystle Able (D) another board member.
“It was completely unexpected. After it sunk in, I thought about the August county board meeting and the recognition McIntyre did at the beginning of the meeting—recognizing several past county board members he has worked with. Reflecting back on the speeches given that night, made McIntyre’s resignation a bit emotional for me. I sent him an email of appreciation.”
“McIntyre was kind, professional, and courteous to me while we worked together and I believe that kindness set the tone for the board on both sides of the aisle.”
McIntyre’s resignation leads to questions. Most obvious is probably who will be the next chair?
Elizabeth Johnston is the Vice Chair of the McLean County Board and will act as chair until a new chairman can be elected. That is scheduled for September 19.
Johnston has made it known that she intends to run for chair and she has the support of Able.
Soeldner expects that Johnston will be challenged.
“We will work to prevent a Democrat from being elected chairman,” Soeldner said adding that he is aware of at least one Republican who is interested in running.
As a result of the 2022 election cycle the board is made up of 10 Democrats and 10 Republicans. Democrats have gone from being a small minority on the board in 2018 to standing toe to toe with Republicans in 2023.
McIntyre skillfully worked to avoid the board locking up on voting for a chair after the 2022 election cycle by asking Johnston to be his Vice Chair. Now the possibility of the board not being able to agree on a chair looms again.
Johnston’s statement of intention to run for chair indicates she believes she is ready for the chairmanship.
It’s possible a Republican with more than the four years experience on the board than Johnston has, will run arguing more experience is required before one is ready for the chairmanship.
Whether or not the individual parties and political parties will be able to work this out remains to be seen.
Will Johnston offer the vice chair seat to a Republican in an attempt to maintain unity? Will a Republican candidate offer her the ability for her to continue as Vice Chair? Will the board be stymied?
Undoubtedly the players involved in this decision will have many discussions regarding this matter between now and September 19. But the rest of us may not hear anything before then.
