Shelby County – Clerk Identified Faulty Meeting Request By Several Board Members

Shelby Co. (ECWd) –

The Illinois Counties Code, for those that actually read it and can understand plain language, outlines a very specific process for a County Board to hold a special meeting.  There are obligations for those making the request and obligations for the County Clerk.

(55 ILCS 5/2-1002) – Special meetings. Special meetings of the board shall be held only when requested by at least one-third of the members of the board, or when requested by the chairman of the board in counties where such chairman is elected by the voters of the county, which request shall be in writing, addressed to the clerk of the board, and specifying the time and place of such meeting, upon reception of which the clerk shall immediately transmit notice, in writing, of such meeting, to each of the members of the board. The clerk shall also cause notice of such meeting to be published in some newspaper printed in the county if any there be. In case a vacancy arises in the office of clerk, because of death or other reason, then the request shall be addressed to the circuit clerk who shall perform the duties of the clerk pursuant to this Section. (Source: P.A. 86-962.)

It’s pretty simple.  In the case of Shelby County, they need 8 board members to request the meeting and they have to simply comply with 4 things.  Not zero, not 1, not 2, but all 4.

• The request shall be in writing
• Shall be addressed to the Clerk
• Shall specify the time
• Shall specify the place.

Of the eight initial requests, only two people followed the law.  The Vice-Chairman, Bryon Coffman, simply responded to an email stating “I agree to a special meeting”, which fails to address a single requirement.  Larry Lenz,  well let’s just say his email to the clerk failed on all fronts.  Terry Metzger made a request but not sure for what type of meeting because he asked for a special/emergency meeting on or before a specific date, with no mention of time or place. The initial request can be viewed at this link.

For those that are unable to download the file, the following board members failed to comply with the initial request for a special meeting.

• Denny Drmjevic
• Terry Metzger
• Robert Simpson
• Larry Lenz
• David Swits
• Bryon Coffman

After the Clerk informed the board members of the requirements under the law, the appropriate requests streamed in.  It’s a sad day in local government when County Board members can’t even follow a simple statute pertaining to calling a special meeting.  Shelby County should be proud of their County Clerk who once again educated those in charge of your county government.

A Special Meeting is going to be held at the Shelby County Courthouse, Courtroom A, on May 27th, 2021, at 7 PM. It appears those who failed to gather enough votes for the lease of the farm for private purposes want a do-over. Also on the agenda is discussion and possible vote for reapportionment of the county.  Currently, there are 22 board members, which in our opinion is way too many.   A copy of the agenda can be downloaded at this link.

I wonder how many will turn in a claim to be paid for that meeting?  If so, such a claim would be a false claim as board members are not authorized to receive compensation for special meetings. (Compensation Resolution).

On the topic of compensation, to date, nothing has been done about the former Chairman Bruce Cannon turning in false claims in direct violation of the compensation resolution even though board members have requested action by the State’s Attorney to recover those funds.

While some continue to trivialize these matters, the public needs to understand there are plenty of serious problems in Shelby County that most would call corruption.

• Shelby County has a Federal criminal investigation into the Highway Department Highway Engineer operating his business from county property.  While some of the board members saw nothing wrong with it, it appears the Feds think otherwise.
• A completed Illinois State Police criminal investigation into the alleged Sheriff Payroll fraud and illegal gun sales which are awaiting charges by the Attorney General
• Alleged insurance fraud in excess of $34,000.00, which to date, seems to keep being ignored by committee board members.

Nothing to see here folks, move along, It’s Illinois.