Madison County Board votes to terminate County Administrator Doug Hulme and IT Director Rob Dorman

The Madison County Board voted April 16, 2020, to terminate County Administrator Doug Hulme and IT Director Rob Dorman, approving written resolutions that memorialize the board’s stated grounds and direct the employees to surrender county property.

The votes came after five public comments—read into the record by Chief Deputy County Clerk Vanessa Jones—urged immediate firings over alleged misuse of confidential records. One commenter, Theresa Morrison of Edwardsville, wrote, “You have no choice but to fire these 3 individuals,” calling the alleged actions a betrayal of public trust.

Chairman Kurt Prenzler opened the special telephonic session by noting the board’s limited direct supervisory role and that Hulme and Dorman had already been placed on paid administrative leave. After debate about whether to proceed in open or executive session, the board moved into executive session to discuss “specific personnel” under Illinois law (5 ILCS 120/2(c)(1)).

When the board returned to open session, County Board member Phil Minner moved to terminate each employee. The board adopted the motion to terminate Rob Dorman (IT Director) and then adopted the motion to terminate Doug Hulme (County Administrator). The clerk recorded the roll-call tallies for both motions as AYES: 25; NAYS: 1; ABSTENTIONS: 1.

Members who pressed for prompt action cited the evidence reviewed and expressed concern for constituents’ trust. "We were given evidence on what took place," said Board member Chrissy Dutton during discussion, adding that she felt the conduct warranted relief of duties. Board member Don Moore voiced caution about overturning a prior Attorney General investigation that did not result in criminal charges, saying the board should avoid a “vigilante type attitude.”

Legal counsel Tom Gibbons told the board his office had prepared two resolutions memorializing the grounds for termination and a Notice of Termination form. The drafted notices in the resolutions set an effective termination date in mid-May and directed the employees to return county property—phones, computers, badges and access credentials—by 9:00 a.m. April 17, 2020. Counsel and the County’s attorney clarified that the resolutions memorialize the board’s action and supply the written notices the county will send.

Rob Dorman and Doug Hulme were asked whether counsel could participate; both said they had been told counsel could not call in. Dorman told the board, “I would like to have it in open session. I have a lot to say. You guys want the truth, I have the truth.” Hulme said he had been notified of the hearing about an hour earlier and was uncertain of the proceedings.

Counsel and board members also discussed potential legal exposure and the benefits of an independent review. Several board members suggested retaining an outside expert to review the record and advise on liability; others opposed further review, saying the investigation and the evidence already reviewed were sufficient. Tom Gibbons advised members to consider abstention where conflicts of interest might exist; one member (Phil Chapman) subsequently recorded an abstention in the termination votes.

The board then voted to adopt written resolutions titled “Resolution Reflecting the Madison County Board’s Grounds for Termination of Employment of Rob Dorman” and the parallel resolution for Doug Hulme; both resolutions include the board’s findings, notice language and instructions to return county property. After those votes the special meeting was adjourned.

What happens next: the resolutions direct that the county send written notice to each employee at the last known address and require return of county property; the resolutions also reflect that the chairman had placed the employees on paid administrative leave prior to the board action. The county clerk attested to the meeting record.

(Reported from the April 16, 2020 telephonic special session of the Madison County Board.)