The new Peoria County Board was sworn in Monday night. Many of the faces around the horseshoe are familiar.
James Dillon, a West Peoria Democrat, was elected the new board chairman. He replaces Andrew Rand, who's served as chairman since 2014. Democrat Sharon Williams was chosen as the new vice chair, replacing Republican Jim Fennell.
Neither Rand nor Fennell ran for new terms following the once-a-decade redistricting process.
Dillon has served on the county board since 2006. He's the associate director of the West Central Illinois Building and Construction Trades Council. Williams also has ties to organized labor, as the longtime editor of the Labor Paper.
Republican Brian Elsasser cast the sole no vote against Dillon assuming the chairmanship. Elsasser, Steven Rieker, Matt Windish, and Paul Rosenbohm cast the dissenting votes on Williams.
New faces to the Peoria County Board include Democrats Camille Coates and Danny Phelan; and Republicans Nathan Hoerr, Daniel Kelch, and Terry Ruhland. Democrats retain a majority on the county board.
