[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6008201,"mediaKeyId","5817614-e286ac38ad1e9b3db6420fa988417535","parentId",5817614,"title","Tazewell County board considers mentoring program for new members","audioSeconds",60,"startMs",1495000,"endMs",1555505,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5817614-e286ac38ad1e9b3db6420fa988417535&start=1495&end=1555","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5817614-e286ac38ad1e9b3db6420fa988417535/thumbnail_1495000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6008201/Tazewell-County/Illinois/Tazewell-County-board-considers-mentoring-program-for-new-members","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6008201-bdd7c287e153665a2620f9b89c8da62d/orig.mp4?Expires=1770447883&Signature=E2uugb77mORv9~n2JdUXMWNRNiGRlbZWfr7ur-uwFBEKq98fUNll2uS9nmF7R5FdzRZ7~u1aG9qNaR8fcXfMy4bPEPwmMMtoNgGNnoySjEnIsJh31xS7cmEATc9CcOxOtTzNRhJPGGDnDZdPUFGYjtSQIflE-VwpWdNq0My59ed4HyHsWFlp8nXPNc7QXUCUoMSlSDTk9rMGdziw6wBLyg23JAcbUoOAIfJbgraQfVbQFmnznpnWy3VP-9ZS1qkje1FHIxyFa5qaJRaDcLqUksqiSldiDS8aZK~BHq7ijr4l2OAFTu8Lrcqndt2Gn7nato7XJCaRVmuURw4O5sEBjw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Tazewell County, IL","date","2025-02-22T00:00:00Z","article","Tazewell County board members discussed creating a formal mentoring program to help newer members learn county operations and retain institutional knowledge.

Speaker 1 proposed \"develop[ing] a board member mentoring role or program,\" noting that many board members have two years or less of experience. Multiple members supported the idea as a way to transfer institutional knowledge and provide a safe place to ask questions.

Several members described personal mentoring experiences. Speaker 4 said, \"When I was a board member, I had Mike Harris take me under his wing and he taught me a ton of stuff. He was a safe place to go to ask a dumb question and he really brought me along and encouraged me to ask questions, say that out loud, don't be afraid.\" Another speaker confirmed that the practice continues informally and suggested attaching new board members to department heads for tours and ongoing conversations.

Board members did not adopt a formal program during the session but asked staff to draft an approach that could include department tours, mentor pairings and ongoing touchpoints so new members better understand department functions.

Ending: Staff were asked to prepare a proposal for a mentoring program and options for how department attachments and tours might be structured.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Tazewell County Strategic Planning 3 2-22-2025","oneSentenceSummary","Board members proposed creating a mentoring program to help newer board members learn county operations and preserve institutional knowledge; several members recounted personal experiences with informal mentoring.","taxTitle","Tazewell County, Illinois","taxId",12888,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6008206,"Tazewell County board considers expanding online services for payments and records",112,1110075,1222605,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5817614-e286ac38ad1e9b3db6420fa988417535&start=1110&end=1222","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5817614-e286ac38ad1e9b3db6420fa988417535/thumbnail_1110075.jpg","/articles/6008206/Tazewell-County/Illinois/Tazewell-County-board-considers-expanding-online-services-for-payments-and-records","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6008206-96d3498492aa1035721f0ac1c333978c/orig.mp4?Expires=1770447883&Signature=YDHYBFspfbKeKkE2UqKr5iTEjcA0oKN8EDXk3Vr1HkO3wsAFPny6RRYQxFedLxHdSKB8E0IJssD-s06a4JT-NC0wPBG1EO6cbKyxeSDm1fKryBLp0jEfkO-xrx3hnVod9MAMryo~nIwQevDFygVe9akVib3ga0KtoF65H1fmv~9GQyVDvrXt1~URdMrQyYAOtmMt7vXKjMMDwicgWyzDEOu1JaHa88ZFsZbrZLaSFSJ-ObjEpBBxj44Rtqk0caYMD9dJ5NeG7K70CMbtnZ0UAWkRFg0bIXR-pOtnF3WG6YZ23f8RdD2eAmB7lA6x88-kcBKOzIsIJumaBPoXmzrKCA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Tazewell County board members discussed expanding the county's digital services to allow residents to pay taxes and complete other transactions online, while noting limits in staff capacity and the need for centralized technical resources.

A board member proposed \"implement[ing] the ability to do business online. Pay taxes, etcetera, through the use of technology.\" Supporters said stronger online services would save time and travel for constituents. Speaker 3 said improving county websites \"saves time and money\" and lets constituents \"do something in their chair at the kitchen table\" instead of traveling in bad weather.

Speakers also emphasized the practical constraints. Speaker 7 and others said small departments lack in-house staff to scope and implement major digital projects, and Speaker 6 said full procurement and vendor work may not occur until \"this fall\" when more staff time is available. One speaker volunteered to lend a developer to assist with system development.

Board members debated centralized versus office-by-office approaches to technology and noted trade-offs between control and economies of scale. No procurement decisions or new funding authorizations were recorded in the transcript; members asked staff to return with options for shared services, timelines and resource requirements.

Ending: The board requested additional implementation options and a timetable for how the county could expand online services cost-effectively.","Board members discussed implementing online services to allow residents to pay taxes and conduct county business remotely, and flagged staff capacity and resource constraints as barriers to rapid rollout.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6008211,"Tazewell County board weighs more active economic development role, urges site-ready inventory",567,529019,1096420,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5817614-e286ac38ad1e9b3db6420fa988417535&start=529&end=1096","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5817614-e286ac38ad1e9b3db6420fa988417535/thumbnail_529019.jpg","/articles/6008211/Tazewell-County/Illinois/Tazewell-County-board-weighs-more-active-economic-development-role-urges-site-ready-inventory","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6008211-abbd2fb2e1b547c67754c049bbd14363/orig.mp4?Expires=1770447883&Signature=ZH12FMVqMUeu1mkY0QbzUmZJPtNVpKyNnFulqsQ~Ey0isTaESPIt~WUD2E05lF~eIFc6ow8fmyyPnoho7K2pjdzaSq7OgnqdvjyUPFpfBfAJ91diABhuxhryRmoV5wnYouiR1BcQ4yLuAhd0mOv-sRr7RqcdXU79aOn4bCr-EDgignXyw6epJO2n0bWMJpFE202D9eRldJE6dHO3m8G~0UAJ~w~VAkUX1onuxGTgm4Gon9qcTGJlMUrXxSMF0dFpy5ciNNcQ2uQyq0Qr-mk0s~bprM2tP~qVXznvnTs0Jc-Ol3GZkUs2fQpGA4gUHAimWhIGT7H05gD-6gkAHBRQow__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Tazewell County board members discussed the county’s role in economic development and urged a more proactive approach to keep businesses and tax revenue in the county.

Several speakers said existing regional development efforts favor Peoria and that Tazewell must take additional steps to compete. Speaker 8 said the county should \"start being more proactive with our communities about what we offer on this side of the river that's better than across the river,\" and criticized perceived state and market advantages that direct revenue — including casino-related taxes — away from Tazewell County.

Speakers recounted concrete local concerns: lost hotels and restaurants tied to riverfront development and a perception that regional development authorities focus first on Peoria. \"When that does happen, that's 2 hotel. Yeah. We're gonna get half a portion of the riverboat that's guaranteed. But we lost 2 hotels,\" said Speaker 3, summarizing the fiscal effects raised in the discussion.

Board members and staff discussed two practical steps to strengthen county economic competitiveness: re-establishing or funding gap-loan programs to help small businesses and creating more \"site-ready\" properties with committed land, infrastructure and buildings so larger employers can locate quickly. Speaker 9, referring to conversations with the EDC director, said the Pekin Industrial Park is often \"pretty much the only spot\" recommended to incoming prospects and urged the county to partner with municipalities and landowners to secure additional ready sites.

A board member noted a regional example: a nearby municipality had tried to attract a $500,000,000 project; speakers said Tazewell should avoid duplicative efforts while ensuring it retains a share of regional benefits. No formal decisions or funding allocations were recorded in the transcript; speakers asked staff to return with options for a county economic-development vision, potential gap-loan mechanics and strategies for creating or inventorying site-ready land.

Ending: Board members requested follow-up materials and clearer options for board action on gap loans, site readiness and EDC coordination.","Board members debated whether Tazewell County should play a more assertive economic-development role, discussed perceived Peoria-centric regional priorities, and highlighted local needs such as gap loans, site-ready industrial land and coordination with the EDC and municipal partners.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6008215,"Tazewell County board debates courthouse safety, status of $44 million courthouse commitment",135,216644,352514,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5817614-e286ac38ad1e9b3db6420fa988417535&start=216&end=352","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5817614-e286ac38ad1e9b3db6420fa988417535/thumbnail_216644.jpg","/articles/6008215/Tazewell-County/Illinois/Tazewell-County-board-debates-courthouse-safety-status-of-44-million-courthouse-commitment","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6008215-2d7ce3c195173fe5965e04104b614485/orig.mp4?Expires=1770447883&Signature=ePCYYCDKmYle8MGKf2QJyXQuhenEfUgBpfnJyjrdB3stN6mwbHyLmUWagOxeExfOreqWzlRujl249FcLN~dIQHaawEuL-PYXK-y2xEMpqgM0NH7uxbXDmevIehNBadshUKBSmgGb5RdjQ59ROo~NTN9FOKmzGCHmZRc0oxXW50q30F~rj4ZZGJVEwAtPlrtDkJOMMDhSHshRtuP91~vLM7vWXljRceSD7L0-hDJaXAOH~L3qYDMnfnZgKPcuH4T3Te6xI9BSaZp8ZgCAHEUbERdI-Fv~F8r6541bsWragLJM35byu8eInp0jNXR5VOMgLPC1Reu9sxq1Pi0yzmQ3jw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Tazewell County board members discussed persistent safety problems at the county courthouse and the status of a previously approved $44,000,000 commitment toward a new courthouse during a planning session on 2025-10-12.

Board members said the existing courthouse has physical-security deficiencies and will require a new building rather than piecemeal repairs. Speaker 2, a board member, said, \"The courthouse is a f minus at best on safety and cannot be fixed. That's a priority. Period.\" That concern was echoed in several comments describing crowded inmate movements and unsecured public spaces.

The safety conversation included a description of current inmate transport practices. Speaker 2 said, \"the guard will bring 10 inmates up with their backs turned in an elevator with people that are on class x, felonies.\" Another board member, Speaker 3, described personal unease while at the courthouse and said the safety issues are structural rather than staffing problems.

Board members also reviewed the status of the new courthouse project. Speaker 5 asked whether the previously discussed $44,000,000 commitment remains in place; Speaker 6 answered that the project is moving forward but that many details remain unresolved. According to Speaker 6, about \"50% of the drawings right now on the courthouse\" have been completed and the board has not yet seen a full list of trade-offs or additional technology and ancillary costs that could affect priorities and budgets.

Members repeatedly framed the courthouse within a broader county capital-improvement plan. Speaker 3 said the new courthouse is \"just one piece of a complete building capital improvement plan for the entire county\" and that the project must be coordinated with plans to eliminate or repurpose other county buildings.

No formal motion or vote on construction funding was recorded in the transcript segment provided. Several board members asked staff to present more detailed trade-off information — including what services or features would be foregone if the board invests the committed funds — before the board adopts final design or budget choices.

The planning-session discussion closed with members emphasizing competing priorities: safety and a new courthouse on one hand, and staffing, maintenance, and other county needs on the other.

Ending: Board members directed staff-level follow-up and requested more complete drawings and cost breakdowns before final decisions on scope or additional commitments are presented to the full board.","Board members raised safety concerns about the existing Tazewell County courthouse and discussed the status and scope of a previously approved $44,000,000 commitment toward a new courthouse, including design progress and competing capital priorities.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Tazewell County board considers mentoring program for new members

Tazewell County board considers expanding online services for payments and records

Tazewell County board weighs more active economic development role, urges site-ready inventory

Tazewell County board debates courthouse safety, status of $44 million courthouse commitment