East Central Reporter

Good governance is often a learning process that not many are willing to undertake. In Yale, Illinois, appointed officials have started this journey following an initial article on their governance practices. An attendee at a recent meeting noted that the officials had already addressed several issues after receiving a Freedom of Information Act request.

It was revealed that past board members' incorrect actions were a significant cause of the village's disarray. The Village President has ceased mowing duties, recognizing it as improper, and plans to seek quotes or bids for such services in the future. Additionally, the private use of the village tractor has been halted, aligning with state constitutional requirements.

The board discovered that none of its members had been elected; all were appointed during vacancies. They are now working on rectifying this ahead of upcoming elections. It was clarified during public comments that villages do not typically use the caucus process for elections, unlike townships.

Subsequent research confirmed there is indeed a municipal caucus process for villages under 5,000 people, detailed in the State Board of Elections 2025 Elections Handbook. Page 9 outlines this process and indicates that fixing current election issues will require substantial effort.

Despite remaining challenges, Yale's officials appear committed to establishing good governance practices. Their transparency and willingness to address concerns serve as an example for other local governments facing similar issues.