SPECIAL COUNTY BOARD MEETING
The Sangamon County Board Elections Committee will hold a special meeting Thursday at 5:30 p.m. to consider whether, in light of the tragic killing of Sonya Massey, our county should give voters the right to recall our sheriff when the people lose confidence in him or her.
The public is invited to speak on this question at the meeting, to be held at the Sangamon South Auditorium, located on Ninth Street between Monroe Street and Capitol Avenue.
Under current law, voters have no right to recall their sheriff. If former Sheriff Jack Campbell had not voluntarily resigned at the end of August, he would still be in office today, serving till the end of his term in December 2026.
In many other states, such as neighboring Missouri and Wisconsin, voters have the right to recall local elected officials – 39 states have some form of recall. Three local governments in Illinois have adopted recall under a provision of our state constitution. A poll in our state earlier this year showed 80% support recall. The Massey Commission last month urged the County Board to enact recall. Â
If the Elections Committee approves the resolution sponsored by three other board members and me, and the full County Board passes it, a binding referendum will go on the ballot April 1, 2025. If a majority vote yes, recall will be the law of the land in Sangamon County.Â
If you can’t make the Thursday meeting, come to the December County Board meeting at 6 p.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 10, at the same location. To speak at the County Board meeting, sign up by 4:30 p.m. Monday on the Sangamon County website or call the Board office, 217-753-6650.
Sam Cahnman
Sangamon County Board Member, District 18
BEHIND THE SCENES
I am very grateful to Cesar Toscano and Illinois Times for their generous spotlighting of the wonderful musicians of the Illinois Symphony Youth Orchestra (“Illinois Youth Symphony Orchestra performs Sunday, Nov. 24,” Nov. 21). These are young musicians of extraordinary character, and that shone through in Cesar’s portrait of them.
I wanted to supplement the article with a brief additional note, which is that the true magic of the ISYO lies with someone who is not visible onstage, and that is our extraordinary youth orchestra and education program manager, Jackie Mitra. Coordinating five different ensemble levels, with hundreds of young musicians and their families, turns out to be somewhat complex, and yet Jackie makes it look easy with her trademark combination of logistical wizardry and profound dedication to the growth of our young musicians. She may not be the one taking the bow at the end of the concert, but she certainly is the one who deserves the applause. Thank you, Jackie, for your incredible impact on the lives of thousands of young people in this community.
Jacobsen Woollen, ISYO director Springfield
GILL DOES A GOOD JOB
Regarding the profile on Jennifer Gill, I’m reminded of the old adage, “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it” (“Jennifer Gill reviews her decade as superintendent,” Nov. 14). In other words, if Superintendent Gill is willing to continue her excellent work record, I urge the powers that be to keep renewing her contract.
Dick McLane
Springfield
MENTAL HEALTH MATTERS
Before we talk about locking kids in cages, we should be talking about their mental health (“Springfield grapples with increased crime,” Nov. 21). Having worked with youth involved with the justice system, it is clear that these young people often have severe, untreated mental health issues. Many have been exposed to violence and horrific traumas and have substance-use disorders.
While detention may be an option in a few select cases, the vast majority of these kids just need help. They need better access to wraparound community support systems, and there should be more funding toward these ends.Â
Jake Carman
Springfield
This article appears in Asking the public for help.
