The Peoria County Board added $853,000 back to its 2020 budget a month after cutting more than $12 million just a month ago due to COVID-19.
The vote was 16-2. County board members say they came to the realization they cut too much from law enforcement in conversations following the death of George Floyd.
"We cut some things that were critical for helping our community. Things like GED programs, job partnership programs, mental health programs. So, we didn't get it right," said county board member Kate Pastucha.
"While we are existing in an economy largely controlled by a virus, and an economy that is off the tracks, and a plethora of government conversations, both at the federal and state levels regarding how to get us moving again, we cannot just act as if the events of the past two weeks did not just happen," said Peoria County Board Chairman Andrew Rand.
State's Attorney Jodi Hoos said she will hire a social worker and a civil attorney to serve as a liaison with minorities with her restored funding.
"Peoria could easily be another Minneapolis. And I would rather do everything I can do to try to make a difference, than do nothing and have Peoria make headlines," she said.
The liaison won't be hired right away. Hoos said she intends to have community stakeholders about their needs from the position before filling the role.
The sheriff received money for the re-entry program, mental health services, and new staffing and programming aimed at curbing inequity in the criminal justice system.
"This is money that will continue to keep our programs in place, and continue to expand on them," said Sheriff Brian Asbell.
The Peoria County Election Commission also received additional funding to accomodate more votes by mail under a law signed yesterday by Gov. J.B. Pritzker on Tuesday.
Election Commission Executive Director Tom Bride estimates as many as 60,000 Peoria County voters may opt for mail-in ballots this November, an exponential increase from the norm.
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