East Central Reporter

Coles Co. (ECWd) –

In December 2022, an article was posted indicating that the Coles County Board would serve without compensation. However, despite a failed compensation-setting resolution, board members continued to receive payments. In response to this issue, it has been revealed that false minutes were created in May 2023 in an attempt to rewrite history.

A request for review was filed with the Attorney General’s Public Access Counselor (PAC), and their response has now been received.

“Although the Board’s response to this office stated that the Board salaries were approved at the May 10, 2022, meeting, there is no indication in the meeting minutes or video recordings that on May 10, 2022, the Board discussed or voted on any other motion concerning Board member salaries.”

“The Board characterizes the vote as limited to only whether to keep the last sentence concerning optional health insurance, but the resolution that passed out of the Finance Committee was not so limited; it was a complete resolution. The full resolution was then subject to a vote.“

The PAC letter and meeting video confirm that the full resolution was voted on and failed.

“Contrary to the Board’s argument to this office, the Board’s vote immediately prior to its discussion of the sentence in the resolution concerning optional health insurance did not address the resolution setting forth the salaries of Board members. That prior vote (described during the meeting as Item 6) concerned the salaries of other elected officials, and the copy of the ordinance included at pages 5416-5418 of the minutes packet reflects that it does not address salaries for Board members.”

“There is therefore no evidence to support a conclusion that a version of the Board member salary resolution that did not contain the last sentence was approved on May 10, 2022, either before or after the motion pertaining to the version that contained a sentence about health insurance.”

It is believed by some residents in Coles County that they now have standing to bring a civil action against the county for compensation paid since December 2022. The law requires compensation to be set 180 days before terms begin; failure to comply means there is no authority for payment. A call has been made for board members to return all received compensation for this period.

The AG PAC noted its limited powers in this matter:

“10 The relevant agenda item for December 13, 2022 meeting adequately identifies general subject matter... OMA requires public bodies take final action openly... Whether improperly receiving salary compensation raises an issue concerning compliance with OMA...”

Concerns have also been raised about altering official meeting minutes.

“To remedy this violation, this office recommends that [the] Board vote amend May 10, 2022 minutes reflect motion voted on which failed...”

Board Chairman Darrel Cox claimed amending minutes followed advice from Coles County State’s Attorney Jesse Danley who did not deny giving such advice during said meeting.

Taxpayers are owed $57,600 annually for board member compensation and $1,200 annually for additional County Chairman compensation paid.

Any bets on them doing what is right?