Edgar County Watchdogs, Inc. | Edgar County Watchdogs site
Edgar County Watchdogs, Inc. | Edgar County Watchdogs site
The Murdock Township Highway Commissioner position may be vacant under Illinois law due to questions about the current officeholder’s residency. William Deckard, who was elected through the township caucus process, is listed in public records with a P.O. Box rather than a residential address, unlike other officials whose physical addresses are available for verification.
Voter registration records filed on July 31, 2025, show Deckard residing at 103 W. Main Street, Murdock, IL. However, searches of this address have not identified any residence at that location using the Douglas County GIS map or property tax records.
Deckard confirmed by phone that he lives in Coles County and claims an owner-occupied residency exemption for 23172 E County Road 1470 N, Oakland, IL—information supported by Coles County GIS tax data. When asked about his eligibility to serve as Highway Commissioner given this residency status, Deckard stated he resides at an old fire station converted into apartments at the disputed Murdock address. Despite this claim, his official record shows him receiving a property tax exemption in another county.
Illinois law (10 ILCS 5/25-2) states that an elective office becomes vacant if the officeholder ceases to be an inhabitant of the district for which they were elected.
“If he claims he resides in Murdock for the purpose of holding an elected office, then he has taken a property tax exemption he is not permitted to have,” the statement reads. “Additionally, the voter registration paperwork filled out this year conflicts with his statements to me and the public record, indicating he lives in Coles County and receives a property tax break for doing so.”
The article further states: “As far as we are concerned, the seat of Murdock Township Highway Commissioner is vacant, as the public record regarding residency is clear; he lives in Coles County and initially admitted it.”
After being informed of these findings by Edgar County Watchdogs representatives, the Township Supervisor acknowledged concerns about Deckard’s residency and was advised to call a meeting to declare the seat vacant and appoint a qualified replacement from within the district.
An update will follow as developments occur regarding how township officials proceed with filling the vacancy.
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