McLEAN -- Such a large crowd is expected at McLean's Village Board meeting today that the gathering has been moved to a larger venue, said board member Kim Garrison.

The meeting will be held in the park district building at 7 p.m. today. The building is the former grade school on West Street.

Garrison said the decision not to renew Police Chief Mike Lay's contract June 8 and the hiring of an interim chief will be a main topic of discussion.

The move prompted about 175 people to meet in sweltering heat June 18 in an informal gathering at a city park. McLean's population is more than 800.

"Emotions are running way high-if not higher. It's escalating," said Garrison, who estimated more than 80 percent of the townspeople want their chief back. The board voted 4-3 not to renew the contract, with Village President Jim Adams breaking the tie.

A petition of signatures has been gathered to support Lay, but has not been presented to the Village Board yet, Garrison said.

Lay has declined comment on his attorney's advice, but earlier released a statement saying he and his family were touched by the outpouring of public support.