East Central Reporter

Coles County issued $600,000 worth of bonds to build the Regional Office of Education despite not having the authority to do so, according to a government oversight group.

The Edgar County Watchdogs (ECW) said that while the county board has an obligation to provide a suitable office for their county superintendents, the state code does not provide for the issuance of bonds for that purpose.

"Under Dillon’s rule, the Building Commission has 1) powers granted in expressed words; 2) Those necessarily or fairly implied in or incident to the powers expressly granted, and 3.) Those essential to the declared objects and purposes of the corporation, not simply convenient, but indispensable," the ECW posted on its Illinois Leaks website recently. "Working backward, most would agree that building an office building is not essential in order to provide office space."

The ECW also argued that a county board, through a building commission, can sell bonds for building projects, but the projects must be specifically defined and approved by voters. 

The watchdog group has submitted a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request for the bond’s original resolution to confirm whether it specifically indicates the education office.