Peoria Health Department Names Interim Administrator
Operators who deal with the department on permits and inspections should expect an interim leader while the Board of Health searches for a permanent successor.
Updated on Nov. 14, 2026 in People
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Monica Hendrickson resigned as administrator of the Peoria City/County Health Department, with her last day on November 12, 2026, ending a nine-year tenure. Leslie McKnight, a 25-year department veteran, will serve as interim administrator while the Peoria County Board of Health seeks a permanent successor.
Why it matters
Leadership transitions at a local health department can shift decision-making on vaccine distribution, staffing, and county public-health programs that area employers and service providers depend on. The departure comes after Hendrickson led the department through the COVID-19 pandemic, so the next administrator will inherit a department whose priorities are being reset.
Hendrickson's resignation ends a nine-year tenure that began in 2017, and her successor on an interim basis, McKnight, brings 25 years of department experience. The Board of Health has not yet named a permanent administrator, and the search begins next week.
The players
Peoria City/County Health Department
The local public-health agency serving Peoria and Peoria County, responsible for disease surveillance, immunization programs, and environmental health inspections.
Peoria County Board of Health
The governing body that oversees the Peoria City/County Health Department and selects its administrator.
Monica Hendrickson
The outgoing health administrator, who previously served as the department's epidemiologist and led it through the COVID-19 pandemic.
Leslie McKnight
A 25-year veteran of the Peoria City/County Health Department who will serve as interim administrator.
The details
Hendrickson submitted her resignation to the Peoria County Board of Health, and board president Ben Brewer disclosed it to the Journal Star. Before becoming administrator, Hendrickson served as the department's epidemiologist, and during her tenure she oversaw COVID-19 vaccine administration to thousands across the county. Hendrickson told the board she was moving on to other things, and the board is set to meet Tuesday to discuss how to find a successor.
Timeline
2017: Hendrickson became health administrator.
November 2, 2026: Hendrickson tendered her resignation to the Board of Health.
November 12, 2026: Hendrickson's last day as administrator.
Tuesday, November 17, 2026: The Board of Health meets to discuss a successor search.
Next week: The Board begins its search for a permanent successor.
Market Landscape
Local health departments across the country have faced leadership turnover since the COVID-19 pandemic put sustained strain on public-health staff. This Peoria transition follows that pattern, with an interim leader from inside the department stepping in while the governing board recruits a permanent replacement.
Businesses that work with the Peoria City/County Health Department on permits, inspections, or vaccination programs should expect an interim administrator in the near term and confirm current points of contact. Operators should watch the Board of Health's successor search for any change in program priorities that could affect their compliance obligations.
The takeaway
Leadership changes at local health agencies can alter how permits, inspections, and public-health requirements are applied, so operators should note the interim administrator's name and contact details now. Track the Board of Health's successor announcement, since the permanent hire will signal whether the department's priorities shift after the pandemic-era period.
What happens next
The Peoria County Board of Health meets Tuesday, November 17, 2026, to discuss plans for finding a permanent successor to the administrator role.
Further reading
For more on how local leaders in the region are shaping business and public life, browse People coverage in Peoria.
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