Madison County Sanitary District: Break the Law – Change the Law

Once more, Governor Pritzker has signed a bill making what used to be unauthorized compensation, authorized.

We previously wrote about the Metro East Sanitary District’s (“MESD”) unauthorized health insurance plans for their appointed board members (here). At the time, according to the Sanitary District Act of 1974, MESD’s appointed board members could only receive compensation equal to the lesser of what either St. Clair or Madison County’s elected county board members received. Madison County board members receive less pay and no health insurance.

Years ago, the MESD decided that wasn’t good enough, so they included health insurance for board members and their families in clear violation of established law. When questioned, they simply asked a friendly legislator to introduce a bill amending the Sanitary District Act of 1964 to authorize health insurance for its board members.

This health insurance is worth around $10,000 per year for just the board member, without the family plan.

When we raised this issue the initial pushback attempted to indicate we were wrong.  Shortly after exposing the illegal compensation, a bill was introduced to make illegal compensation legal. Break the law, change the law.

Thanks should go to Governor Pritzker, the state legislature, Madison County State’s Attorney, and Attorney General Raoul for once again failing to hold public officials accountable, and for rewarding their unlawful actions with a pay raise.

The new law legalizing this benefit goes into effect on January 1, 2024.  If we were wrong, why did they pass a law to allow it?

Any bets that members are still drawing this benefit in advance of it becoming legal?