Board approves one drainage-district appointment; members discuss vacancy and appointment rules

The County Board moved several appointments and discussed a persistent vacancy for the Island Grove Drainage District. The board approved forwarding Larry Taylor's nomination for the Economic Development Advisory Board to the full board; a motion to move the nomination was made and seconded and carried. The board also approved Jim Westendorf to the King Francis Township Drainage District; the motion to approve was made by Tim and seconded by Chris and passed by voice vote. Board members said the Island Grove Drainage District seat remains open because relatively few individuals or property owners live or own land inside the district. Board Member 1 noted that many parcels are held by corporations, saying, “it's a lot of corporations, like EJ Water owns land in there.” Board members discussed whether an employee of a corporate landowner or a corporate board member could serve; Staff member said they were checking that possibility. A participant citing state law said, “Says in Illinois, drainage district commissioners are appointed either by a court or by the county board depending on the district's original organizing method. According to, 706-0541.” Board members said they would continue outreach and circulate a map and owner list to try to identify eligible property owners before the next meeting. No change to the county's appointment process was approved during this meeting; the board discussed statutory limits and options including petitions by district owners to allow an outside appointee, but took no new formal action beyond approving the named appointments and forwarding the economic development nomination to the full board.