McLean County Board District 7
McLean County Board (District 7)McLean County is divided into 10 districts, with two Board members elected from each district. The County Board establishes tax rates; administers the activities of county departments and offices; adopts an annual budget; reviews zoning, planning and land use; and enacts ordinances. The board elects a chair from its membership who serves as the head of the county government.Sources:McLean County Board codeFinancial Reports | McLean County, IL - Official WebsiteFactsheet on the County Boards, Illinois Association of County Board Members and Commissioners:McLean County Board District MapJunta del Condado de McLean (Distrito 7)El Condado McLean está dividido en 10 distritos, con dos miembros elegidos de cada distrito. La Junta del Condado establece las tasas impositivas; administra las actividades de los departamentos y oficinas del condado; adopta un presupuesto anual; revisa la zonificación, la planificación y el uso de la tierra; y promulga ordenanzas. La Junta elige un presidente entre sus miembros que sirve como jefe del gobierno del condado.Fuentes:Código de la Junta del Condado de McLeanFinancial Reports | McLean County, IL - Official WebsiteHoja informativa sobre las Juntas del Condado, Asociación de Miembros y Comisionados de la Junta del Condado de Illinois:Mapa del Distrito de McLean County Board
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John D. Poling
(Dem)
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Geoff Tompkins
(Rep)
What qualifications and experiences would you bring to the County Board, if elected?
Please rank the following issues in the order in which they warrant County Board attention: Tax levies, Affordable housing, Access to health care and mental health care, Job growth.
Please explain any policies you would pursue on the top-ranked item(s).
Campaign Phone
2172013613
race
7th District, McLean County Board
I currently serve on the Zoning Board of Appeals for the City of Bloomington, helping residents navigate zoning challenges. My community involvement goes back over 35 years, including serving as president of my local Jaycee chapter, one of the largest in the state. I have held leadership positions with civic organizations, such as GLAD, the Gay and Lesbian Association of Decatur and am an active part of the B-N performing arts community. I have taught history at Parkland College since 2003 and am a proud twenty-year member of the Illinois Federation of Teachers.
Affordability in general, not just in housing, is what I see as one of the most pressing issues for McLean County. Tax levies would certainly factor in the affordability issue for county residents. I do believe health care accessibility is also an important issue, and I think the county board needs to do a better job of making county residents aware of the myriad services that are available to them particularly when it comes to mental health care. The issue of jobs growth is always an important one but we are fortunate that McLean County has a relatively low unemployment rate of under 4%.
Every dollar must be spent in the most effective manner by the county because, look around, we are experiencing an affordability crisis. Just look at the cost of things like groceries and healthcare. For some, it’s a matter of putting food on the table, for others it’s being one paycheck away from catastrophe if a major medica expense occurs. As board members we must keep our eye on the ball when it comes to finding all opportunities to reduce property taxes, allotting the tax dollars we do spend both effectively and efficiently, and protecting valuable county services including those for our seniors and people in need of mental health services. This is how I can give back to my community and this is what I promise to do.
I have served on the Mclean County Board since 2022.
Served on City of Bloomington Liquor Comission 5 years under 2 Mayors.
Precinct Committeeman.
1. Tax Levies
2. Job Growth
3. Affordable Housing
4. Access To Mental Health
Oppose Property Tax increases on residential homeowners.
Continue To work with our partners on the Economic Development Council to attract premium employers to McLean County.
Continue to work with McLean County Regional Planning Commission and Private Developers to explore and build modern affordable housing - especially 1st time starter homes and homes with accessible floor plans for seniors.
Continue to support the allocations made through the Behavioral Health Coordinating Committee - Our County is a leader in addressing this issue and continues to place an emphasis on this issue.
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