New Coroner to be Appointed March 12

The Effingham County Board will meet in special session on March 12 to select a new County Coroner.

County Sheriff Dave Mahon is serving in the post on an acting basis following last week's death of Coroner Duane Guffey.

The special County Board meeting will begin at 1:30pm.

In other business Tuesday, the Board agreed to join a lawsuit declaring that unlawful distribution of prescription controlled substances has created a public nuisance and a public health and safety problem for the county. The opioid lawsuit is being headed by legal firms that will be reimbursed with a portion of any damages paid if they win the suit.

The Board discussed a contract with the Laborers Local representing probation officers, but took no action on an agreement. It was also agreed to allow three election judges per precinct for general primary elections in the county, but to leave it to the discretion of the county clerk if the clerk feels more than three are needed.

A resolution to include cash payments related to health insurance as IMRF earnings was considered but died on the table as no motion was made to approve or reject the measure. Also, the county liquor ordinance was amended to clean up language concerning someone who wants a liquor license who lives outside the county, and a bridge aid petition for a project east of Mason in Union Township was approved with the township and the County going halves on the $5,800 project.

The Board increased membership on the County's Ambulance Oversight Committee by one and appointed Lucas Ruholl and Mike Schabbing to the Board with one of those individuals to fill out Johnathan Paholke's term. The Board also named Quinten Reinheimer to the Economic Development Advisory Board

County Clerk Kerry Hirtzel reported there have been 75 early voters for the March primary election.