Douglas, CO. (ECWd) –
Ten months ago, we began publishing several articles regarding the Murdock Township Road Commissioner holding office in violation of well-established law.
At the end of September, 2025, the Douglas County State’s Attorney provided the following update on the matter.
Mr. Allen:
This matter was submitted to the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office and is presently under investigation. The investigation is ongoing and is not yet complete. When the Sheriff’s Office does complete their investigation, my office will receive that report and will evaluate what the appropriate next steps will be given the findings from that investigation.
Thank you,
Robert E. Kosic
State’s Attorney
Douglas County State’s Attorney’s Office
401 S. Center St.
Tuscola, IL 61953
P: 217/253-5471
F: 217/253-4541
email: [email protected]
October 3, 2025:
“Currently, the investigation into this matter is potentially complete, and is currently under review by my office. I expect to make a charging decision next week.” (emphasis added)
October 31, 2025:
“Charges have not yet been filed regarding that investigation. It has taken time to evaluate the full facts and circumstances, and a decision is still expected soon.”
December 30, 2025:
“As an updated ETA, a charging decision is now expected shortly after the first of the year.” (emphasis added)
May 5, 2026:
“There has not yet been a charging decision on this matter. It has taken longer than expected, but you will be advised when a decision has been reached.”
Considering we are well beyond “shortly after the first of the year”, I asked if it was the Attorney General who was making the charging decision.
May 8, 2026:
“This matter has not been referred to the Attorney General.”
What value do our laws provide when simple justice is delayed in such a fashion? As outlined in our articles with records obtained from the County and through the State’s Attorney, it is clear the Road Commissioner is holding an office he is not allowed to hold under the circumstances exposed. He has been collecting a paycheck this entire time even though he admitted to me personally on the phone that he resided in Coles County, not Douglas County.
A criminal investigation was conducted by the Sheriff’s office, and those findings have been withheld under specific FOIA exemptions for several months now, yet still no charging decision?
As outlined by our Illinois Supreme Court in case law, a State’s Attorney has three clients: the County Board, County Officers, and the People. He is required to determine who is right in a matter, and that is who he is to represent. We would argue that in this case, the People are clearly right, and a charging decision on such a simple matter should not take 10 months.
If you’re not going to charge the person, release the investigation records. In addition, if no charges will be filed in this case, explain to the people why we have laws that prohibit what is taking place in Murdock Township.
Laws are useless if they are not followed and enforced.
