Madison County Board

While celebrating a new administration building for Madison County Transit, the Democratic governor criticized the symbolic referendum that county voters will consider this November.

The Metro East county could become the 27th in downstate Illinois to vote on possibly seceding to form a new state. Political and legal experts believe separation is highly improbable.

The Government Relations Committee voted on Tuesday to approve a nonbinding referendum for the full board to consider. If approved, the referendum would ask residents in a symbolic vote if they would like to no longer be in the same state as the Chicago area.

Chris Slusser, Madison County treasurer, defeated County Board Chairman Kurt Prenzler after a contentious campaign.

In recent months, both Republican campaigns have leveled sharp criticism at the other, including claims of incompetency, corruption, dishonesty and political “dirty tricks.”

The censure follows an investigation finding that Prenzler gave cards with a list of his accomplishments and links to his political campaign fundraising website to a vendor working at the county administration building last fall.

Kurt Prenzler faced questions from his colleagues on the Madison County Board this week after the county's ethics adviser recommended the board sanction Prenzler for handing out “campaign-style” business cards while on the job.

The sometimes controversial Kurt Prenzler blames the probe on politics in a reelection year. The GOP chairman is accused of handing out campaign cards, touting his political accomplishments, while on the job.

County Board Chairman Kurt Prenzler said Monday the agreement had not yet been finalized or signed. He declined to comment further until then.

“The County Board has lost confidence in its Chairman to advance a fiscally responsible future for the County,” the ordinance states.