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Sheriff presents DCFS-funded deputy proposal to Mercer County committee
Summary
Sheriff Dusty Terrill told the Law Enforcement Committee on March 26, 2026 that he is pursuing an agreement with the Department of Child and Family Services for DCFS to fully fund a deputy/detective to assist with high‑risk cases; the committee voted to forward the agreement in form to the full county board.
Sheriff Dusty Terrill told the Mercer County Law Enforcement Committee on March 26, 2026 that he had presented an agreement in form with the Illinois Department of Child and Family Services (DCFS) under which DCFS would fully fund a deputy or detective assigned to assist DCFS on high‑risk matters. He said the arrangement would have DCFS pay salary, benefits and a vehicle, and emphasized he did not plan to hire a new employee outright.
The committee heard Terrill describe the proposal as a potential revenue source and operational support but one that contains uncertainties: he said he is “going to try” the arrangement but may need to come back to the board to add a deputy or to exit the contract if it does not work. Committee member Gary Anderson moved to forward the agreement "in form only, with numbers and dates subject to change" to the full county board; Gary Gregg seconded. The minutes record Gregg=Yes and Anderson=Yes and state the motion "Passed Unanimously." The committee did not finalize salary or effective dates at this meeting.
Why it matters: the arrangement would shift the cost of an assigned deputy to DCFS while placing that deputy under sheriff's office supervision, which could affect Mercer County staffing, patrol assignments and departmental revenue. The matter will next be considered by the full county board, where dates and financial terms must be confirmed.
