Kyle Resigns from County Board Due to Move Out of District

Jeremy Kyle submitted his resignation Monday as a member of the Effingham County Board.

Kyle explained that he inherited land from his grandparents northwest of Effingham, but that the land is located outside his county board district. He said that he is sorry to be leaving the Board, and has enjoyed serving since he took office in December. 

Several board members and other county officials said they've appreciated the job Kyle has done since he took office.

County Board Chairman Josh Douthit said he has contacted Effingham County Republican Party Chairman Jose Durbin to seek a recommendation on Kyle's successor. Douthit said he hopes to have a successor ready soon to be named at a special Board meeting.

Also Monday, the Board reallocated $2,500 to Mill Road Thresherman's Association to instead go toward an equipment purchase, allocated $10,000 in ARPA funding for an updated County website through Imagine This!, allocated $25,000 in ARPA funding for audio/visual equipment to be used in the County Board meeting room, and increased by $4,750 the ARPA earmarked funding to the Effingham Regional Career Funding for student tuition.

The Board approved the use of the county gazebo and courtyard for Effingham Farmers Market from June 1 through September 30, approved the Farmers Market's ability to update their sign in the courtyard as needed to ensure accuracy, approved the Ambulance Oversight Committee meeting schedule to quarterly in July, October, January and April, and approved Sandra Gillet to succeed Jeremy Kyle as chairman of the Ambulance Oversight Committee.

Board members approved reducing the number of members of the Childcare Research Committee to five members and two ex-officio members, approved a joint funding agreement for construction work on a three-mile stretch of Moccasin Road and the allocation of $600,000 in Rebuild Illinois funds to help pay for the project, approved updated banking and investment policies for the County Treasurer, approved advertising to seek a replacement for Reverend William Weaver on the ethics commission, and approved the appointment of Paul Niemerg and Alan Davis as trustees on the Dieterich and Watson Fire Protection Districts, respectively. 

The Board allocated ARPA funds to Effingham County Probation for purchase of two portable radios for $7,264.82, scheduled Law Day 2023 for Thursday, May 4, approved Robert Hoene as a trustee of the Sigel Fire Protection District, and approved John Taylor to succeed the late Henry Verdeyen as a member of the Effingham County Board of Review.

Members Sandra Gillet and Elizabeth Huston were not present for the meeting.