John McIntyre: From Coach to County Chair, a Legacy of Service in McLean County

John McIntyre has been a familiar face in McLean County for decades, known by many names – Coach Mac, Principal McIntyre, Mr. Board Chair – but the common thread is his unwavering dedication to public service.

A native of Central Illinois, McIntyre was honored last April as a History Maker by the McLean County Museum of History. In a recent interview with WGLT’s Sound Ideas, he reflected on his long‑time marriage to Lorry, who has been his partner for 55 years, and their three children. "We’ve been in the same house over here on the other side of the university on Anderson Park for 50 years, going on 51 years. We moved here in 1974…" he said. Lorry, a graduate of Illinois State University, had wanted to return to the area when he was offered a job, and the family has remained in Bloomington ever since.

McIntyre’s public career began on the McLean County Board, where he served from 1980 to 1988, returned in 2008, and was elected chair in 2016. He resigned from the chair position in September 2023. During his tenure, he highlighted the mental‑health initiatives he helped launch. "I had 72 different leaders in this community, from hospital CEOs to social services, who all came, and we conducted hearings to establish needs and best practices to write this mental health action plan…" he told reporters. The plan, now over a decade old, includes funding for the county jail and has attracted federal grants. It also launched Crisis Intervention Training for first responders and the Frequent User Engagement System (FUSE), a program that reduces emergency department and jail use by targeting individuals with chronic mental‑health needs.

Another achievement McIntyre cites is the preservation of the county nursing home. When rumors of closure surfaced, he worked with an advisory committee to review finances and operations. "In January 2018, I succeeded in getting the board to form an advisory committee to analyze the operations of the nursing home. By the end of the year, a plan was in place to make it financially viable again," he said. The nursing home remains the only one of its kind in Illinois that is still operated by a county.

Outside of politics, McIntyre has a long history in athletics. He played semi‑professional football for the Twin City Trojans in the 1970s and later coached football at Central Catholic High School. "Coaching and athletics give you the opportunity to meet a lot of interesting people who are dedicated to what they do," he explained. He also noted the respect he gained for coaches who guided him as a player.

McIntyre’s approach to governance has been described as bipartisan. He recalled being encouraged to run for the board by a friend who was a Democrat, and he has said that, regardless of party differences, the goal has always been to help the county. "There’s always got to be a compromise as you go through in government or in democracy. That’s what it’s all about," he said.

He has also offered advice to prospective candidates. "Give it a try, try to find the time that you can, regardless of how much time you have at the time," he told a local audience. He acknowledged the criticism that comes with public office, especially during the COVID‑19 pandemic, but emphasized that criticism is part of the job.

McIntyre’s contributions will be formally recognized at the museum’s June 17 gala, where he will join other History Maker honorees. The event will celebrate his service as a coach, educator, and county chair.

McIntyre’s story illustrates how a single individual can impact a community through multiple roles – from the sidelines of a high‑school football field to the boardroom of county government – and leave a lasting legacy of service and bipartisanship.