Henderson County Board

Henderson County Board Discusses ‘New Illinois’ Referendum

Andrew Postle, The Quill

The Henderson County Board convened on January 13, 2026, for its regular meeting, at the Henderson County Courthouse in Oquawka. Present was Brad Flatt, Kim Gullberg, Jon Corzatt, Patty Daniels, Janet Stubbs, Deborah Pflasterer,  and Richard Bigger. Absent was Bill Knupp, Kurt McChesney, and Will Pruett.

County Coroner John Fedler presented the 2025 coroner’s annual report to the board. Board member Flatt described the document as comprehensive upon initial review. The board unanimously accepted the report. (For additional details on the coroner’s report, below.)

The board approved a new Policy and Procedure Manual developed by Fedler in collaboration with former State’s Attorney Susan Maxwell-Schneider. Fedler noted that no such manual existed when he assumed office at the end of 2024.

In related coroner business, the board approved an intergovernmental agreement with Peoria County for pathological services, including autopsies. Fedler indicated that Henderson County’s costs under the agreement are approximately $2,000.

The Henderson County Republican Central Committee did not provide a recommendation to fill the board vacancy created by Todd Miller’s resignation. The appointment was tabled until the next meeting.

Routine approvals included the December 2025 meeting minutes and payment of claims. The board also accepted the Henderson County Health Department’s December claims, monthly report, and meeting minutes.

Mary-Grace Carlson, the new President of the Henderson County Board of Health, introduced Josie Lair as the department’s new administrator, succeeding the retired Carla Ewing. Lair will work two and a half days per week. She expressed enthusiasm for the role, noting her family ties to the county and that her first full-time job at age 19 was with the health department.

Rick Walker from the highway department reported that Carman Township has lost its road commissioner due to the passing of James Donlan. The department will assist with emergency call-outs until a replacement is appointed. Walker plans to collaborate with State’s Attorney Kristen Petrie to formalize an agreement protecting both parties. Board member Flatt affirmed the full support of the Bridge and Road Committee and the county board during this transition.

The board approved travel expenses for Sheriff Matt Link and Deputy Chris Spears. Additional approvals included the treasurer’s December monthly report and 2025 annual report, as well as inventories from county offices.

A significant portion of the meeting focused on the “New Illinois” referendum effort. Rich Whitman, a longtime attorney from Monmouth with over 50 years of practice, addressed the board on behalf of the Illinois Separation Referendum Group. The group aims to place non-binding referendum questions on ballots in all 101 counties outside Cook County, asking whether those counties should correspond about separating from Cook County to form a new state. Whitman highlighted financial disparities and policy disagreements, such as sanctuary state issues, that downstate counties often find unpopular due to Chicago and Cook County’s influence. He noted that 33 counties have already passed similar referendums supporting exploration of a new state. Formation of a new state would require approval from the Illinois General Assembly and the U.S. Congress, a process last seen during the Civil War with West Virginia’s separation from Virginia.

Whitman requested that the Henderson County Board authorize the county clerk to place the following question on the November 2026 ballot: “Should the board of Henderson County correspond with boards of other counties of Illinois outside of Cook County about the possibility of separating from Cook County to form a new state and seek admission to the union as such, subject to the approval of the people?” The board decided to review the provided information and vote on adding the referendum at its February meeting.

In other business, the board approved a resolution authorizing the Recorder’s fraud and review process and establishing fines for unlawful clouding of title, in response to updates in the Illinois Counties Code.

Updates were provided on the county’s ongoing revision of its solid waste management plan, required every five years and emphasizing recycling, source reduction, and composting, with guidance and potential grants from the Illinois EPA.

Discussion occurred regarding repairs to the Biggsville ambulance. The county will cover certain repairs, but invoices include non-covered maintenance items. These will be resolved, with an amount approved at the next finance committee meeting.

Treasurer Tina Fulk reported that sales of 2026 dog tags have begun and requested scheduling a committee meeting to discuss future policies.

The meeting entered executive session around 9:30 a.m. to discuss personnel matters. The next regular meeting is scheduled for February 10 at 8:30 am at the Henderson County Courthouse in Oquawka.

2025 Henderson County Coroner Report

The Henderson County Coroner’s Office presented its 2025 annual report to the county board at the January meeting. The report highlighted a year of significant transition following the retirement of long-time Coroner Kris Beals and the assumption of duties by newly elected Coroner John Fedler. 

Beals retired on December 2, 2024, after more than 42 years of dedicated service, making him the second-longest serving coroner in Illinois at the time of his departure. The report praises Beals for his professionalism and commitment, noting that he will be greatly missed by the community.

With the leadership change, Fedler prioritized several key initiatives to modernize the office. A major focus was securing a dedicated space for operations. Previously, the coroner’s office had been run out of the former coroner’s funeral home business in Stronghurst. 

After an extensive search, including proposals to build a new facility on county-owned property, the office relocated to the Biggsville Ambulance Barn in Biggsville. Department upgrades also included the acquisition of a BioSeal Body Bag System, which eliminated the need for an expensive exhaust fan installation in the shared facility. Additionally, a new three-person mortuary cooler was purchased from American Mortuary Cooler and Equipment for $12,227.32 and installed in the Ambulance Barn.

Fedler also developed and implemented the first-ever written Policy and Procedure Manual. The manual provides a consistent operational framework, ensures compliance with local, state, and federal regulations, and helps manage risks while reducing potential liability for the county. After thorough research and drafting, the manual was reviewed by Susan Maxwell, who at the time was the Henderson County State’s Attorney, revised as needed, signed, and filed with the Henderson County Clerk’s Office. 

The report also presented detailed death statistics for the county. In 2025, Henderson County recorded a total of 61 deaths, an increase of 4 from 2024. Nearly all (59 of 61) were residents of the county.

The Coroner’s Office conducted full investigations at 18 death scenes, a decrease of 12 from the previous year, and completed case summaries for all 61 deaths. Of the 18 cases under the coroner’s jurisdiction:

• 13 were attributed to natural causes.

• 4 were accidental.

• 1 was a suicide.

Only 2 autopsies were performed in 2025, down by 1 from 2024.

The 4 accidental deaths (up by 1 from 2024) included:

• Blunt force trauma to the head from a fall down basement steps.

• Compressional asphyxiation from being pinned under a vehicle after ejection in a motor vehicle incident.

• Positional asphyxiation following a fall due to a seizure disorder.

• Carbon monoxide intoxication in a house fire.

The single suicide involved a gunshot wound to the head, marking a decrease of 1 from 2024. There were no homicides or undetermined deaths in 2025, consistent with the prior year.

Of the 56 natural-cause deaths, leading contributors were:

• 18 due to various forms of cancer.

• 18 due to heart failure.

• 8 due to dementia/Alzheimer’s.

• 4 due to COPD.

• 2 due to cerebrovascular accident (stroke).

• 2 due to Parkinson’s disease.

• And single cases of renal failure, severe protein and calorie malnutrition, metabolic encephalopathy, and chronic respiratory failure.

Fedler emphasized that the thorough death scene investigative summaries provide valuable, comprehensive information to elected officials, law enforcement, medical professionals, and the public.