Peoria Health Administrator Monica Hendrickson Resigns
Hendrickson, who led the Peoria City/County Health Department for nine years, will be succeeded on an interim basis by a 25-year department veteran.
Updated on Nov. 14, 2026 in People
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Monica Hendrickson tendered her resignation as administrator of the Peoria City/County Health Department to the Peoria County Board of Health on November 2, 2026. Her last day is November 12, 2026, ending a nine-year tenure that began in 2017.
Why it matters
Hendrickson led the department through the COVID-19 pandemic, including the administration of vaccines to thousands across the county. Her departure leaves a leadership transition for a county health agency serving Peoria residents.
Hendrickson served nine years as administrator after previously working as the department's epidemiologist, while interim administrator Leslie McKnight brings 25 years of department service. The source does not specify the terms or salary of the permanent position.
The players
Monica Hendrickson
Hendrickson is the former administrator of the Peoria City/County Health Department who previously worked as the department's epidemiologist before leading it through the COVID-19 pandemic.
Peoria County Board of Health
The Peoria County Board of Health oversees the Peoria City/County Health Department and is responsible for selecting its administrator.
The details
Hendrickson told the board she was moving on to other things, according to board president Ben Brewer, who disclosed the resignation to the Journal Star on Friday. The Board of Health is set to meet Tuesday to discuss plans for finding a successor.
Timeline
2017: Monica 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 is expected to begin its search for a permanent successor.
Market Landscape
Hendrickson's exit follows the department's pandemic-era vaccine administration across Peoria County, the period that defined her tenure. The transition now places the agency under interim leadership while the Board of Health chooses a permanent administrator.
Residents who rely on the Peoria City/County Health Department will see interim leadership in place while the board searches for a permanent administrator. The source does not indicate any change to services or programs during the transition.
The takeaway
Leadership transitions at public health agencies can carry continuity questions, so residents may want to watch the Board of Health's upcoming meetings for the successor selection. Following the board's public agenda is the most direct way to track who will guide the department next.
What happens next
The Peoria County Board of Health meets Tuesday, November 17, 2026, to discuss plans for finding a permanent successor to Monica Hendrickson.
Further reading
Explore more local leadership coverage in People for Peoria.
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