Edgar Co. (ECWd) –
We understand this reporting is well past due, considering the county signed the Settlement Agreement in 2024. This is one of those cases that dragged on for so long that we failed to follow up until recently.
In August of 2019, the Edgar County Special Services Area Ambulance filed a lawsuit against the county for failure to pay what it allegedly was due for services provided to the county’s special service areas.
We published this article in July of 2019, a month before the lawsuit was filed.
Notable points from the first article:
“It was made clear during a recent county board meeting (by the board) that there was nothing owed under the ambulance contract and that reasoning was used to terminate the tax levy that had provided the funding for that service for many years.”
“During the May 9, 2019, County Board meeting, Board member John Chittick raised concerns with any potential outstanding obligations under the contract and was told that the State’s Attorney Mark Isaf looked into the matter and it is his opinion that all obligations had been met.”
“Isaf was the same State’s Attorney that thought it was OK for the bi-county mass transit district to give away all the funds generated from that entity closing its doors. We disagreed with that position, and years later the courts confirmed such action was not proper, and the county was able to keep over $152,000.00 that Isaf was comfortable giving away to the Rides Mass Transit District in southern Illinois. Numerous articles were provided on that matter and can be found at this link.”
We have one simple question:
Why would a county settle a case and pay out $125,000.00 if nothing was owed under the contract as claimed in public meetings? Is this another example of bad legal advice from the former State’s Attorney who is now a sitting Judge? It wouldn’t be the first time, as pointed out.
A copy of the settlement appears to make one thing clear: the county owed the money.
“1. Payment. Within fourteen (14) days of both Parties’ execution of this Agreement
(“Execution”), Defendant shall pay Plaintiff One Hundred Twenty-Five Thousand Dollars ($125,000).
This Payment includes all monies due to Plaintiff relating to the Action.” (emphasis added)
Over five years after the filing, the case is settled and dismissed with prejudice.
The winners, the attorneys, as in both sides of the matter. The State’s Attorney did not represent the county in this case, which means the county insurance more than likely picked up the bill for the county legal bills, and the Plaintiff’s attorney was paid by his client.
The losers: The taxpayers once again.
A copy of the settlement agreement can be downloaded at this link or viewed below.
shaughnessy-settle-20241106103455-1
