Shelby Co. (ECWd) –
Once again, the spin cycle of lawlessness in Shelby County, with zero accountability, has reared its ugly head.
During the Shelby County Board meeting on 5/14/2026, the board had a lengthy discussion regarding a budget amendment that was requested by the Sheriff, Brian McReynolds.
The Sheriff wanted the courthouse maintenance line item in the budget to be amended from $90,000.00 to $873,863.00. During the discussion, the Treasurer confirmed there was no need for the amendment, as there were ample funds in his budget for line-item transfers, rather than amending the budget.
Considering the law indicates violating the Budget provisions provided in the county code is considered a Class B Misdemeanor, I urged the board to follow the law during my public comment.
(55 ILCS 5/6-1003) (from Ch. 34, par. 6-1003) Sec. 6-1003. Further appropriations barred; transfers. After the adoption of the county budget, no further appropriations shall be made at any other time during such fiscal year, except as provided in this Division. Appropriations in excess of those authorized by the budget in order to meet an immediate emergency may be made at any meeting of the board by a two-thirds vote of all the members constituting such board, the vote to be taken by ayes and nays and entered on the record of the meeting. After the adoption of the county budget, transfers of appropriations may be made without a vote of the board; however, transfers of appropriations affecting personnel and capital may be made at any meeting of the board by a two-thirds vote of all the members constituting such board, the vote to be taken by ayes and nays and entered on the record of the meeting, provided for any type of transfer that the total amount appropriated for the fund is not affected. This Section applies to all elected officials, including elected officials with control of the internal operations of their office. (Source: P.A. 103-865, eff. 1-1-25.)
The State’s Attorney, Ruth Woolery, was questioned on the legality of this amendment, and the response is yet another example of why there is zero accountability and lawlessness in Shelby County.
“Generally speaking, budget amendments are the standard procedure for dealing with unknown expected and unknown revenue, so, you know, whether it’s between departmental line items, appointed to different functions, so, my understanding is so long as it doesn’t increase the levy, it can be amended.”
After I responded with a verbal “NO” in the meeting to her legal opinion, she shifted to saying she had not had a chance to thoroughly research it, but that was her general understanding.
How much research is needed to read two sentences from the county code that indicate further appropriations are barred unless there is an immediate emergency? The word levy does not appear anywhere in that section.
Where does the word levy appear?
Sec. 6-1007. Non-compliance not to affect tax levy. Failure by any county board to adopt an annual budget or to comply in any respect with the provisions of this Division shall not affect the validity of any tax levy otherwise in conformity with law.
Nothing in the county code indicates budget amendments are somehow limited in relation to a levy. In fact, quite the opposite.
When Woolery first took office, we wrote about her request to have a special meeting to discuss her budget in this article. Considering she indicated she would need to thoroughly research the matter after I indicated her position was wrong, can we assume she never researched it when she wanted her budget amended?
In that prior article, I made a point regarding Woolery. “With more convictions per month by former SA Hanlon than the prior two states’ attorneys to his term, it will be interesting to see how a family law practitioner handles the multiple facets of criminal prosecutions, local government law, labor law, contract law, and let’s not forget adult supervision of certain emotionally charged board members.“
With far fewer convictions than prior State’s Attorneys, a clear lack of knowledge on government law, and an apparent disregard for numerous other laws, Shelby County wins the King Award, or would it be Queen in this case? Laws for thee, not for me.
Maybe the “No Kings” protesters in front of the courthouse every month should come inside and watch their Kings and Queens in action.
The full board meeting video can be viewed below.
