The county board is both the legislative and executive branch of county government. As a legislative body, the board enacts ordinances and resolutions that can apply either to the county as a region, including the cities within it, or specifically to the unincorporated areas of the county. As an executive body, the board administers the activities of county departments and offices, except those headed by other elected county officials. As the governing body, the county board adopts an annual budget for the county and establishes tax rates (county portion of levies). *The board elects a chair from its membership who serves as the head of county government and facilities the operations of the county board and the other departments of the county.* [that came from a publication, but it also makes me sound way more important, should it be left in?] Each board member serves as a point of contact for various offices and departments within county government. This allows members to develop greater expertise on specific offices and departments.
The Jasper County Board meets monthly on the 2nd Thursday of each month unless otherwise noted on the published board schedule. Meetings begin at 6:00 p.m. in the Board Room of the Jasper County Building located at 204 W Washington Street Newton, IL 62448.
Jasper County Board Members:
- Jason Warfel, Chairman
- Ron Heltsley, Vice-Chairman
- Ben Bollman
- Adam Deckard
- Michael Geier
- James Judson
- A.C. Pickens
- Eric Spiker
- Doug Weddell
County Board Contact:
Jason Warfel, Chairman jwarfel@jaspercounty.illinois.gov 618-562-5822
Amy Tarr, Clerk amy.tarr@jaspercounty.illinois.gov 618-783-3124
JASPER COUNTY ILLINOIS GOVERNMENT HISTORY
The Illinois Legislature on February 15, 1831, meeting in Vandalia, the capitol of the State at that time, created the County of Jasper from parts of Crawford and Clay Counties. The Illinois Legislature chose the name Jasper for the County and decided that the County Seat shall be called Newton.
The names Jasper and Newton were because of the romanticized stories told by Mason Lock Weems of two American Revolutionary War Soldiers.
While the County was created on February 15, 1831, the County organization was not complete until December 19, 1834. On January 26, 1835, the first election was held to elect the officers of the new county.
Elected on January 26, 1835, were (3) County Commissioners, a Sheriff, and a Coroner. Other offices including County Treasurer, Circuit Clerk, and Surveyor were initially appointed positions. The Circuit Clerk did the business for both County and Circuit Courts until 1857 when the office was divided into Circuit Clerk and County Clerk. Prior to 1872, the State’s Attorney was elected for several counties/districts.
COUNTY COMMISSIONERS’ COURT 1835-1849
The general affairs of the County were administered at first by three County Commissioners. The 1818 Illinois Constitution stated, “There shall be elected in each county, three county commissioners to transact all county business, whose time of service, power, and duties shall be regulated and defined by law.”
Initially, the term of commissioners was one year. In 1837, the Illinois General Assembly increased the term of commissioners to three years and provided for staggered elections to elect one commissioner each year.
COUNTY COURT 1849-1860
The Illinois Constitution of 1848 established a system of county courts throughout the state. Judges were elected to four-year terms by their counties. In non-township organized counties, the judge was also the head of the three-member administrative county court. Two justices of the peace were to be chosen by the qualified electors of each county. Thus, in Jasper County beginning in 1849 the general affairs of the County switched from the County Commissioners’ Court to the County Court.
ATTEMPTS AT TOWNSHIP GOVERNMENT
In November 1849 the question of township organization was submitted to the voters of Jasper County. The question carried by a 142 to 132 vote. Commissioners were appointed to divide the county into townships and prepare for the election of supervisors. The Clerk at the time, Hiram Wade who opposed the change submitted documentation to the State that the Attorney General discovered some irregular technicality. Thus, the matter of townships in Jasper County was pushed aside until September of 1859 when a petition signed by 170 citizens asked that the question of township organization be again submitted to the people. It was brought to a vote that November and affirmed by a considerable majority.
COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS 1860-1972
After Jasper County, adopted township organization in November 1859, the general affairs of the County
switched from the County Court to the County Board of Supervisors. One supervisor would be elected from each township for a one-year term. Later laws allowed for additional representation proportional to the population. Thus in 1941, Wade Township because of its population, also appointed an assistant supervisor to the County Board of Supervisors.
COUNTY BOARD Since 1972
The Illinois Constitution of 1970 stated, “A county board shall be elected in each county.” Counties could choose to elect their board on an at-large basis or according to one man, one vote districts. Beginning in May of 1972 the general affairs of the County switched from the County Board of Supervisors to the County Board. Jasper County is divided the County into three (3) districts and elected 4 members from each district for a 12-member board. Beginning in November 2022 only three (3) members were elected from each district to form a 9-member board.
