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October 11, 2024

Paris City Commissioner Ineligible For Office; Moved From City Limits, Won’t Resign –

By John Kraft & Kirk Allen

On July 19, 2021

PARIS, IL. (ECWd) –

Paris City Commissioner Drew Griffin moved out of the city limits of Paris, Illinois in the July/August 2020 timeframe. This can be seen on the address listed on his most recent Statement of Economic Interest (here) and from information obtained from the County Treasurer’s office related to the recording of the sale of the property.

Almost a year ago, July 31, 2020 was when the purchase of his new home was recorded, with the sale of his former residence recorded in September 2020.

He should have resigned from his elective office once he moved his residence, but both Mayor S. Craig Smith and Drew Griffin are somehow convinced he can remain in office, while not being a resident of the city. Incidentally, both Mayor Smith and Commissioner Griffin are attorneys in Paris.

The Illinois Municipal Code, Section 3.1-10-5(a) specifically states residency is a requirement:

  • A person is not eligible for an elective municipal office unless that person is a qualified elector of the municipality and has resided in the municipality at least one year next preceding the election or appointment, except as provided in Section 3.1-20-25, subsection (b) of Section 3.1-25-75, Section 5-2-2, or Section 5-2-11.

The Illinois Municipal Code, Section 3.1-10-50(b)(1) defines when an elective office becomes vacant, and authorizes the city council to declare the vacancy:

  • Vacancy by other causes.
    • 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).

I talked to Mayor Smith about this, and he stated the city council would not take up the question on whether a vacancy exists, because even though they have the power to declare the vacancy, they are not “required” to make that determination.

I have also talked to Commissioner Griffin, who basically stated the same thing Mayor Smith said. He did confirm he moved out of the city limits, sold his other home, and changed his drivers license and voter registration to his new residence.

The City Council should take up the question at the next public meeting, verify his residency, and declare the seat vacant if they find he has moved outside the city. It is their duty to ensure the people are represented by a person legally holding office – which means a resident and voter of the city.

After all, the city’s motto is: Paris, Illinois – A Place To Call Home . . . (or not).

We believe Edgar County State’s Attorney Mark Isaf should begin quo warranto proceedings of his own accord, against Griffin, seeking his ouster from office.

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6 Comments
  • jannie
    Posted at 20:35h, 19 July Reply

    Where did this man vote in the Nov. election? I find this really strange.

  • Dennis
    Posted at 20:42h, 19 July Reply

    Illinois must mean corruption in some foreign language.

  • Robert O. Bogue
    Posted at 22:41h, 19 July Reply

    Why does it take more than a simple discussion regarding Illinois Law to garner a resignation from a practicing Illinois Attorney?
    Who among us should know better? Shouldn’t the mayor know the law after making a living as a career attorney?
    Why are the Paris City Streets riddled with meth heads, drug users and drug dealers walking the streets at all hours? Why are there so many break ins?
    Why is there so much crime in Edgar County?
    Breaking the law is habit forming when there are no arrests. .When the police don’t do their job, the States Attorney doesn’t do his job and the Judges don’t do their job this is what happens. The criminals walk the street while the mayor and city commissioner play games and squabble with justice.
    Notice, I haven’t mentioned our current Sheriff’s contributions to the lawlessness in Edgar County, which are believed to be considerable

    • PK
      Posted at 20:32h, 29 July Reply

      According to the ARDC, both the mayor and commissioner are registered attorneys. The mayor is admitted April 29, 1976. The commissioner (fire, public health and safety) is admitted October 31, 2013. Neither the mayor or commissioner have an ARDC public record of discipline and pending proceeding.

      Yet, the position of the mayor on this matter is grossly improper.

      This ARDC program might target such unprofessional conduct:
      https://www.iardc.org/ethics.html

  • Biff Spiff
    Posted at 09:27h, 20 July Reply

    C’mon Drew. Do the right thing. This will not look good when you run for state’s attorney.

  • PK
    Posted at 12:47h, 24 July Reply

    Given the Illinois Attorney Registration and Discipline Commission rules for attorneys and judges ( https://www.iardc.org/Rules.html) as well as the seniority among official members in question, it seems likely that the Edgar County Circuit Court’s Presiding Judge blatantly enables the Mayor and Commissioner to conduct themselves unprofessionally.

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