East Central Reporter

Bruce Stickell holds two elected positions in Illinois: Milan Village Trustee and Blackhawk Township Road Commissioner. His term as a trustee ends in 2027, while his road commissioner term concludes in 2025. However, these roles are deemed incompatible according to the Illinois Attorney General's opinions, with the earliest opinion dating back to 1963 and the most recent from 2005.

The Illinois State Bar Association has commented on this issue, stating: "Because of the potential conflict of duties that arises when one governmental unit contracts with another, an individual may not serve simultaneously as both a village trustee and a township highway commissioner because the individual would not be able to represent the interests of both entities adequately, fully, and faithfully."

The Illinois Municipal League also addresses such incompatibilities. The 2005 Attorney General opinion highlights that conflicts could arise in fulfilling duties simultaneously for both offices. It states: ". . . it is clear that potential conflicts in the duties of these offices could prevent one person from faithfully discharging the duties of each simultaneously." It further elaborates on how holding both positions could lead to favoring one entity over another.

The call to action is directed towards Blackhawk Township, Milan Village, and Rock Island State’s Attorney to resolve this matter by declaring one office vacant due to Stickell's automatic resignation upon taking an incompatible role. If no action is taken by these bodies, citizens have the option to file a "quo warranto" suit seeking to declare the office vacant.