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March 28, 2024

Redmon Mayor Seat Vacant By Statute –

By John Kraft & Kirk Allen

On December 9, 2013

REDMON, IL. (ECWd) –

We attended the Redmon trustee meeting tonight to figure out why Mayor Jim Cooper still insists he is the Mayor of that village. According to what he told the Paris Beacon News, he moved into his new home at 11396 Blackhawk Drive, Paris, IL on the 9th of November.

After informing him during the public session of the meeting that he was no longer the mayor, had he moved out of town as stated in the PBN, and that he should step aside immediately and let the trustees declare his seat vacant, he denied, or claimed ignorance of the fact that he automatically vacated the Mayors seat when he moved out of Redmon.

Election Code

(10 ILCS 5/25-2) (from Ch. 46, par. 25-2)

Sec. 25-2. Events on which an elective office becomes vacant. Every elective office shall become vacant on the happening of any of the following events before the expiration of the term of such office:

(1) The death of the incumbent.

(2) His or her resignation.

(3) His or her becoming a person under legal disability.

   (4) His or her ceasing to be an inhabitant of the State; or if the office is local, his or her ceasing to be an inhabitant of the district

Municipal Code

Sec. 3.1-10-5. Qualifications; elective office. 
  

(c) Vacancy by other causes.
        (1) Abandonment and other causes. A vacancy occurs in
     an office by reason of abandonment of office; removal from office; or failure to qualify; or more than temporary removal of residence from the municipality; or in the case of an alderman of a ward or councilman or trustee of a district, more than temporary removal of residence from the ward or district, as the case may be. The corporate authorities have the authority to determine whether a vacancy under this subsection has occurred. If the corporate authorities determine that a vacancy exists, the office is deemed vacant as of the date of that determination for all purposes including the calculation under subsections (e), (f), and (g).

 Former Mayor (he just don’t know it yet) Cooper’s Comments

When asked about whether he lived within the corporate limits of Redmon, he stated, after dodging around the subject, that he did in fact move outside of Redmon and that he did not read the statute the same way we did. He even went so far as to throw the County Clerk under the bus by saying he told him it was perfectly fine since he still owned property in Redmon. I serious doubt if that was what was said, but I will ask the County Clerk tomorrow about it. He even further stated that it depended on what was stated in the village by-laws – wrong Mr. Cooper, by-laws do not trump state laws.

Bottom Line

 The bottom line here, is that Mr. Cooper automatically vacated the seat by moving, and the trustees need to declare it vacant and appoint a new Mayor. The seat is vacant whether or not the trustees declare it vacant, it’s just that they cannot replace him without the declaration. He does not need to resign, he did that by moving. It doesn’t matter how much good he has done for Redmon over the years, and I’m sure he is still willing to do more good for the village, he cannot hold the elected position of Mayor when he does not live in the village. The election code defines that term with specificity should he feel the need to look it up.

Mr. Cooper, your next action, or inaction, should be to not show up, or at a minimum to not have a seat at the table of those good residents of Redmon that have the legal authority to occupy a seat at the table during any future meetings. Your past service to the community, as I understand it, was commendable, please leave it in a commendable way also.

Listen to the audio of this portion of the meeting below…he stated that “I just did move”, but in fact he moved a month ago.

 

 

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30 Comments
  • Angela Mason
    Posted at 21:35h, 09 December

    Hilarious…! WHY do these public officials plead ignorance of the law? WE as CITIZENS aren’t allowed to get away with that….!

    • jmkraft
      Posted at 21:38h, 09 December

      I think he knows what he needs to do now.

    • jmkraft
      Posted at 21:39h, 09 December

      You should have heard the “talk” he had with me prior to the meeting, giving me a lecture on how I was supposed to act during “his” meeting.

  • Michelle
    Posted at 00:10h, 10 December

    Mr. Kraft can I ask why you have interest in Redmon and who invited you to this meeting? I am a former citizen of the town and am the daughter of the Mayor and am very upset about the statements that you made about my father. I would really like to talk to you and find out more about what your position is in helping Edgar County. My father is very upset about what you have said about him and I am very upset also, I feel as if my family has been cyber bullied. I love my father very much and if you have any children or people in your life that you love I am sure that you would not want them treated this way. My mother was very indecisive about moving and the move was hard for them, I actually volunteered them to do the Christmas walk to help them make the move. My father loves Redmon very much and hated moving, he has lived there over 32 years. I know that he will abide by the law and know that he has and will, living there or not, always do what is right for that town and everyone in it. Regardless if some of them would do the same for him. I am praying for you tonight because I know we have to pray for people that hurt us and I only hope that you find the answers/solution you are looking for someday! God please bless you.

    • jmkraft
      Posted at 06:52h, 10 December

      My interest in Redmon is simply that the law be followed, whether it be election law or laws concerning use of public property and funds for other-than-public uses. No, I will not reveal who “invited” us to the meeting. It does not matter, unless you intend on intimidating and harrassing them for the invitation. I simply stated the facts, and even gave him the benefit of doubt about his “commendable” service to the village. It probably was and I am not going to question it. He just needs to finish in a commendable way also.

      • Mike jarod
        Posted at 10:50h, 10 December

        You have never been invited anywhere.

        • jmkraft
          Posted at 14:04h, 10 December

          Shows how much you don’t know.

  • Michelle Angus
    Posted at 00:23h, 10 December

    Mr. Kraft can I ask why you have interest in Redmon and who invited you to this meeting? I am a former citizen of the town and am the daughter of the Mayor and am very upset about the statements that you made about my father. I would really like to talk to you and find out more about what your position is in helping Edgar County. My father is very upset about what you have said about him and I am very upset also, I feel as if my family has been cyber bullied. I love my father very much and if you have any children or people in your life that you love I am sure that you would not want them treated this way. My mother was very indecisive about moving and the move was hard for them, I actually volunteered them to do the Christmas walk to help them make the move. My father loves Redmon very much and hated moving, he has lived there over 32 years. I know that he will abide by the law and know that he has and will, living there or not, always do what is right for that town and everyone in it. Regardless if some of them would do the same for him. I am praying for you tonight because I know we have to pray for people that hurt us and I only hope that you find the answers/solution you are looking for someday! God bless you.

  • Old
    Posted at 03:55h, 10 December

    You are being to nice by saying his service to Redmon was commendable, and I will leave it at that. The residents of this wonderful village know better. So long Mr. Copper, I like you but as a Mayor you are not any good. Now lets get someone in there with some good common sense, who works for Redmon and not for their ego trip.

  • Michael Mastin
    Posted at 05:41h, 10 December

    What difference does it matter if Mr. Kraft is a citizen of Redmon or not? The former Mayor moved and vacated his office by doing so. It is the law! Laws are what we as citizens of America hopefully follow. We do not get to pick and chose which laws apply to us or our situations. Where did Mr. Kraft attack, belittle or otherwise defame your father in what he wrote? I am sure that your father was and is a very good man, but the law is the law. If your father was so righteous, why did he try to plead ignorance to the facts and side step the obvious question when asked? I am sure that his work was and will always be respected in Redmon. It is time though to follow the law and get on with life. The issue is as the ECWD have exposed over the past year or more is that almost every township, city council, etc seems to feel that they are empowered to do as they please regardless of the LAW! It is very simple. Read and understand the laws that you are placed into position to follow! If you do not understand than investigate and find out, as the ECWD have done. They are not paid, they are just asking that our public officials follow the laws as they are written! We as citizens do not get to interpret or not follow the laws! We would have chaos if that were the case. Simply do what is right and be an example for the community by following all laws!

  • smblack
    Posted at 06:29h, 10 December

    First, is this really really such a big deal?? The little village of Redmon can use all the good people it can get. Some people need to get a life. Second, while you are getting that life, go back to school and pay attention during the grammar lessons (“he just DON’T know it yet”) Your lack of education proves your lack of professionalism.

    • jmkraft
      Posted at 06:47h, 10 December

      Yes, it is a big deal. I am possitive there are more good people in Redmon that will step up to the plate if given the chance. While you are touting your superior writing skills, try using a “period” (“.“) in the appropriate places the next time you decide to write something down.

  • Edgar County Watchdogs
    Posted at 06:35h, 10 December

    I simply recapped the meeting and the fact that he cannot continue to sit in the Mayor’s seat. He moved. He was automatically removed from that position, no further action required on his part. Anything and everything that he did in Redmon since Nov 9th (in the “official capacity”) is null and void. He just needs to do what is right, and he knows what that is.

  • Kirk Allen
    Posted at 09:46h, 10 December

    smblack, are you saying that its OK to pretend to be the Mayor when your not? If the law says the seat is vacant when the Mayor moves out of the district why is it such a problem to acknowledge that? Using your logic it woudl be OK for me to be the Mayor in Redmond even though I live in Kansas. Whats the big deal?

  • Edgar County Watchdogs
    Posted at 11:11h, 10 December

    The paper is Disclosure and is not “our” paper. It’s not available in Paris since the four businesses that were selling it were threatened and intimidated (by public officials, public contractors, and their employees) into not selling it anymore. You can get it in Kansas, Oakland, and Vermilion. The watchdog truck always has copies if you see them somewhere.

  • Edgar County Watchdogs
    Posted at 11:58h, 10 December

    Why is censorship funny to you? You must be friends with the little Hilters running around town. The fact is not that the people do not want the paper, but that certain public officials have determined they can dictate what people can or cannot read. There is no legal action against us and those rumors have been going around for 3 years. Bring it on if you feel froggy. I doubt you called and talked to anyone at the AG’s office about us and you are just using that to attempt to get your pathetic point accross. You didn’t call the EUI “journalism school” either. Where i got my degree does not matter.

  • Edgar County Watchdogs
    Posted at 12:24h, 10 December

    In what world do you have the right or authority to ask? That’s right, in the same world where it is OK to censor something you don’t like in order to “protect” other from reading it – then laughing about that censorship. You would fit right in with the old Soviet Union.

  • Edgar County Watchdogs
    Posted at 13:38h, 10 December

    Mike Jarod, your second post, the one after asking where you could buy the paper already knowing the answer, was full of personal attacks. Were those your statements of last resort because you are uneducated and uninformed? Is that all you knew how to do? Those are your words, not mine. On another note, you have no idea as to how the tone of the meeting was set by the mayor prior to the meeting even starting. Once again you are confused when you think you have the right to ask about my education – I do not work for you.

  • Edgar County Watchdogs
    Posted at 13:47h, 10 December

    Like I said before, that is none of your business.

  • Edgar County Watchdogs
    Posted at 13:59h, 10 December

    Didn’t go to a Junior High, but I did attend East Richland Middle School in Olney, Illinois 🙂 I even attended Silver Elementary School there also. I do not have a GED, but what you have to figure out is if that is because I didn’t need one, if I was too lazy to finish High School, maybe even graduated and went on to further my edumication. Let your imagination run wild…

  • Edgar County Watchdogs
    Posted at 14:00h, 10 December

    Keep dreaming.

  • Kirk Allen
    Posted at 14:05h, 10 December

    I think our track record speaks for itself and when our work is highlighted in the National Review as well as other national publications and even Fox news I can only say if it was good enough for those publications its clearly good enough for the good people of this county.

  • Edgar County Watchdogs
    Posted at 14:06h, 10 December

    Thanks for your comments.

  • Edgar County Watchdogs
    Posted at 14:25h, 10 December

    Computer World had us in there also…along with a National Wind Energy Journal

  • Old
    Posted at 09:31h, 12 December

    If you own a business in Redmon, example grain elevator, does that allow you to sit on the village board? I’ll bet no would be the answer.

    • jmkraft
      Posted at 10:15h, 12 December

      To the best of my knowledge, the only requirements are being 18 years old or older, be an inhabitant (living in) of the village, and not have a disqualifying felony on your record.

  • Kirk Allen
    Posted at 11:25h, 12 December

    Owning the Grain Elevator has no bearing on sitting on the board provided there is not a conflict of interest, which means the business owner may vote on matters that directly or indirectly benefit him.

  • Barbara Lucas
    Posted at 19:56h, 12 December

    Does the Grain Elevator owner live in Redmon and is he on the board?

  • Donna Throneburg
    Posted at 21:16h, 21 December

    Donna Throneburg liked this on Facebook.

  • Angela Mason
    Posted at 21:16h, 21 December

    Angela Mason liked this on Facebook.

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