Bill
SB 4035
Allows removal of trustees for incompetence, neglect, or malfeasance on river conservancy boards embracing Jackson, Franklin, and Jefferson counties without corporate authority con
Date Introduced: February 6, 2026
Sponsor: Sen. Terri Bryant (co-sponsor)
Committee Status: Referred to Government Operations; later to Executive; Rule 2-10 deadlines noted
Jurisdiction and Subject
- Jurisdiction: Illinois
- Title: JACKSON CNTY-CONSERVANCY DIST
- Bill Type: An act amending the River Conservancy Districts Act
Purpose and Intent
- The bill adds a specific removal mechanism for trustees on a board that represents a river conservancy district embracing Jackson County (and related districts in Franklin and Jefferson counties). It authorizes removal of trustees for incompetence, neglect of duty, or malfeasance by the appropriate appointing presiding officer(s) without needing the advice and consent of the corporate authorities, by filing a written order of removal with the county or municipal clerk.
Key Provisions and Changes
- Section Amended: 70 ILCS 2105/4a (River Conservancy Districts Act)
- Removal of Trustees (new subsection 6):
- A trustee representing a district that embraces Jackson County (and certain other districts in Franklin and Jefferson counties) may be removed for incompetence, neglect of duty, or malfeasance.
- The removal authority lies with the appropriate appointing presiding officer(s) and does not require the advice and consent of the corporate authorities.
- A written order of removal must be filed with the appropriate county or municipal clerk.
- Contextual Provisions (existing framework retained):
- The bill retains the established framework for how trustees are appointed, including regional and municipal representation, residency requirements, term lengths, and appointment processes.
- It preserves provisions for districts with varying numbers of municipalities and counties, as well as the use of lots to determine initial term lengths and term durations for trustees.
- It includes a transition mechanism for districts that span multiple counties or municipalities, including how appointments are made “at large” and by presiding officers.
- It preserves the provision that trustees representing municipal areas must reside within the municipality and that trustees representing areas outside municipalities must reside within their respective district areas.
- Population and Appointment Rules:
- The Act contains detailed rules for appointing trustees when districts include municipalities with populations of 5,000 or more, as well as alternative provisions when no municipalities meet that threshold.
- Provisions address districts wholly within a single county, multi-county districts, and how vacancies or changes in municipal boundaries impact appointments.
- Special Note on Franklin and Jefferson Counties:
- The removal provision explicitly applies to boards representing districts that embrace Franklin and Jefferson counties, and Jackson County, highlighting a targeted governance provision for these areas.
Who Would Be Affected
- Trustees on river conservancy district boards that:
- Embrace Jackson County (and districts in Franklin and Jefferson counties as referenced).
- Appointing authorities responsible for trustee appointments and removals (presiding officers of county boards or other authorized officers, depending on the district composition).
- County and municipal clerks who would receive written removal orders.
Procedural and Timeline Aspects
- Appointment and qualification timelines follow the standard framework:
- Initial appointments must occur within 60 days after the election result.
- Trustees must qualify within 10 days after appointment (oath of office and filing requirements).
- Initial terms are determined by lot (following 1–5 year term structure) with successors serving 5-year terms.
- Transition and population-change provisions:
- If municipalities with 5,000+ population are identified after the district’s formation, adjustments to the board may occur, including adding trustees.
- If a district resides across multiple counties, appointments may require a majority vote by presiding officers of the applicable county boards.
- Vacancy and residency requirements:
- Trustees must reside in designated areas (within municipality or outside as applicable) and vacancies are filled per the act’s processes.
Context
- The bill carries forward and modifies governance rules for river conservancy districts with a focus on Jackson County and associated counties. The central change is to empower removing certain trustees for specified misfeasance grounds without requiring corporate authorities’ consent, via a written removal order filed with the clerk.
If you’d like, I can provide a side-by-side comparison with the current statute to highlight all exact textual changes.
Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.
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