FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 31, 2026
McLean County Republican Executive Board Calls on County Auditor Michelle Anderson to Resign
BLOOMINGTON, IL — After careful consideration of the documented record and repeated concerns regarding the operation of the McLean County Auditor’s Office, the entire Executive Board of the McLean County Republican Central Committee is calling upon County Auditor Michelle Anderson to resign.
This decision was not made lightly. Repeated efforts were made to discuss the issue with Ms. Anderson, but calls, emails and text messages were not returned. Michelle Anderson was elected as a Republican, but holding office under the Republican banner carries an obligation to uphold the principles of fiscal responsibility, accountability, transparency, professionalism, and faithful service to taxpayers.
The Executive Board believes the continuing record surrounding the Auditor’s Office is inconsistent with those principles and does not serve the best interests of the people of McLean County.
Our concerns include:
Delays in processing grant payments that reportedly caused McLean County to violate multiple agreements with community organizations. According to records obtained by WGLT, hundreds of thousands of dollars were withheld from service providers, jeopardizing the financial stability of at least one local nonprofit.
The extraordinarily late completion of McLean County’s 2024 annual audit. The audit was not completed until October 2025—months later than the county’s traditional timetable. County officials reported that the delay resulted in additional outside-auditing expenses, frozen federal and state funds, delayed tax distributions, and lost opportunities to invest public money.
A history of delayed bills, disputed accounting procedures, and inadequate communication with county officials and department heads. In 2019, disagreements over bookkeeping practices led the Finance Committee to seek outside professional assistance and a legal opinion clarifying that the County Board—not the Auditor acting independently—has authority over the county’s system of accounts.
Public accusations and deteriorating working relationships with other elected officials and county administrators. Differences among officials are inevitable, but taxpayers deserve professional cooperation focused on solving problems instead of continuing public conflict.
Repeated concerns regarding availability, communication, and participation in the county’s financial oversight process. Finance Committee records show occasions when the Auditor was absent while important questions involving financial reports and the delayed audit remained unresolved.
These are not isolated political disagreements. They represent a continuing pattern involving delayed financial work, disrupted county operations, strained professional relationships, and potential costs to taxpayers and community organizations.
“Republicans must be willing to hold our own elected officials accountable,” said McLean County Republican Party Chairman Connie Beard. “Party affiliation cannot excuse poor performance or conduct that undermines public confidence. While we have full confidence in our other Republican elected officials and our candidates, we cannot state the same for Michelle Anderson. Our responsibility is first to the people of McLean County. After reviewing the record and attempting to address these concerns, the entire Executive Board believes new leadership is necessary.
The Republican Executive Board is also disappointed that the Democrat led board for the county did not take action to address these failures for such a long time. This situation has unnecessarily cost the voters of the county a great deal of money and loss. There has been no assurances that there will not be a repeat of the failures.”
The voters preserved the elected Auditor’s Office in the 2024 referendum. That decision makes effective, accountable leadership in the office even more important. Respecting the office also means insisting that the person entrusted with it meet the standards its responsibilities demand.
For these reasons, the Executive Board of the McLean County Republican Central Committee respectfully but firmly calls upon Michelle Anderson to resign as McLean County Auditor.
Media Contact:
Connie Beard, Chairman
McLean County Republican Central Committee
Phone: (309) 948-5045
Website: www.mcleancountyrepublicans.org