Lacon / Illinois / United States
A relationship between the Peoria City/County Health Department, Marshall and Putnam counties began in 1979 with an agreement to provide County Nurse services to county residents. By 1985 the program had expanded to provide a wide variety of services to the counties, funded by grants, contracts, fees and local tax dollars under the eyes of the Marshall and Putnam County Boards. As the counties began budgeting for 1986, Marshall County Board found insufficient funding was available for the program. Marshall County decided to eliminate the County Nurse program, and Putnam County followed suit. A search for alternatives to meet community needs was started. In November 1985, both county boards passed resolutions to establish Boards of Health and form a Health Department. Both Boards of Health decided to contract with the Peoria City/County Health Department to provide staff for the new health department. One of the new services provided by the health department was Environmental Health programs involving food service inspections, private well and private septic system regulations. In 1998, the Putnam County Board of Health ended their relationship with Peoria and Marshall Counties. Marshall County continued its relationship with the Peoria City/County Health Department and Marshall County Health Department was founded. A building was purchased. It was dedicated on November 10, 1997 and remains the location of Marshall County Health Department. The staff is hard working and dedicated to providing quality health services to the residents of Marshall County. Andy Placher was instrumental in starting Marshall County Health Department. He was on the first board of health and fought hard to get a formal public health department in place, including funding. Marshall County Board of Health chose to honor him by naming the building after him on November 10, 1997.
