Letter To The Editor: Opinion About Lifetime Appointments To Two At Recent Madison County Board Meeting

Letter To The Editor:

The Madison County Board approved lifetime appointments to two individuals at its January monthly meeting. Bob McClellan for the Agricultural Areas Committee and Matt King, a sitting county board member, to the Southwestern Illinois Law Enforcement Commission. All lifetime appointments.

Lifetime appointments are not only illegal, but they are a relic of nobility and the giving of titles. They are contemptible and go against every value of representative government. Should anyone be given a free pass from public oversight? The concept of lifetime appointments, outside of the US Supreme Court, has been clearly and fully eliminated throughout the nation, except in Madison County, where the law never seems to totally apply.

Lastly, county board members with 2- and 4-year terms are making decisions they will not be around to answer for. Everyone should insist on these gentlemen being reappointed with a defined 2- to 4-year term.

Douglas Hulme Edwardsville - Madison County

Opinions expressed in this section are solely those of the individual authors and do not represent the views of RiverBender.com or its affiliates. We provide a platform for community voices, but the responsibility for opinions rests with their authors.

More like this:

Madison County Board Advances Agenda But Tables Solar Vote

Sep 17, 2026

Madison County Approves $387,375 For Breast and Cervical Cancer Screenings

4 days ago

Packed Board Meeting Erupts After Slusser Facebook Post, Plus Board Meeting Summary

Aug 19, 2026

Worden Man Sentenced To 14 Years After Pleading Guilty To Child Porn

Aug 31, 2026

Madison County Board Meeting Brings Appointments Zoning Votes and Honors

Jul 15, 2026