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Madison County board rejects Chairman’s apportionment plan in 27–1 vote
Summary
Madison County Board rejected Chairman Kurt Prenzler’s proposed apportionment plan to create 25 single‑member districts after board member Jack Minner said he preferred 29 seats; the measure failed 27–1 on May 19, 2021.
Madison County Board Chairman Kurt Prenzler presented an apportionment plan on May 19 that would set 25 single‑member county board districts for elections from 2022 through 2030. The resolution, moved by County Board member Valerie Doucleff and seconded by Ryan Kneedler, was put to a roll‑call vote and failed 27–1.
County board member Jack Minner, who said he has served more than 20 years on the board, opposed the plan on the floor. “I think we need 29 members, and I can’t vote for anything other than 29. I think it will lessen the service we can give and I don’t think it saves that much money,” Minner said while explaining his no vote.
Only Ms. Doucleff voted in favor of the plan; the remaining 27 members voted no. The resolution text cited the statutory option for the chairman to present a plan under the Illinois Counties Code (55 ILCS 5/2‑3003) and described district composition and salary language to remain set by statute. After the vote Chairman Prenzler declared the motion failed.
Why it matters: county board apportionment determines how voters are grouped into districts and shapes representative capacity for the next decade. The board will continue to consider districting options; the Government Relations Committee had previously circulated both 27‑seat and 29‑seat maps for review and announced further hearings.
