Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Local Government topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Tazewell County holds township swearing-in ceremony at courthouse
Summary
Township officials from multiple townships were sworn in at a consolidated ceremony at the Tazewell County courthouse; Judge Doscotch administered oaths and staff explained paperwork, deadlines and record-keeping for returning signed oaths.
Tazewell County held a consolidated swearing-in ceremony at the county courthouse where Judge Doscotch administered oaths to township clerks, supervisors and road commissioners and staff reviewed procedures for processing signed oaths.
The ceremony, introduced by a county official who said it was the first time in modern times the county had done township swearing-ins at the courthouse, was intended to streamline the process of administering and recording oaths. Officials were told originals would be retained briefly at the courthouse, copies would be mailed back to townships after signing and trustees must be sworn within eight days; assessors are sworn in January.
Judge Doscotch led groups through the oath, instructing officials to "support the constitution of the United States and the constitution of the state of Illinois" and to "faithfully discharge the duties" of their respective township offices in Tazewell County. County staff directed attendees to raise their right hands and repeat their names as part of the oath process.
The Clerk called township names in groups and noted long tenures for several township clerks: one clerk with roughly 20 years of service, another with about 50 years, Boyden’s official in office since 1981, Cincinnati’s clerk beginning a third term, and Little Mackinaw entering a second term. A participant asked about swearing in a stepson who is serving out of state with the military; the Clerk and judge advised the person should be sworn in as soon as they return and that no official acts should be taken before the oath is administered.
County staff explained filing logistics: the courthouse would keep originals temporarily, seal and sign them, then mail copies back to township offices; staff offered to fill out forms for attendees who had not completed paperwork on site. The ceremony concluded with thanks from the judge and county staff and a reminder that newly elected trustees should be sworn within the eight-day window before performing official duties.
No formal votes or policy decisions were taken; the event was procedural and administrative.
