Madison County Chairman Kurt Prenzler and other county officials were sworn into office Tuesday in a virtual ceremony live-streamed on the county's social media platform Twitch.
Illinois Supreme Court Justice-elect David Overstreet administered the oath to Prenzler, who was elected to a second term on Nov. 3. He was joined by his wife Rita, and held his family bible for the ceremony.
“Twenty twenty has been a difficult year,” Prenzler said at the socially distanced gathering in the atrium of the county administration building. “With the COVID-19 situation and the state-imposed business shutdowns.”
Prenzler said it reminded him of one of the earliest flags in the nation's war for Independence, “The Appeal to Heaven” flag, which is white with a green pine tree in the center and slogan printed below.
“You will see a version of this flag in the famous painting the ‘Battle of Bunker Hill,’ which took place outside of Boston in 1775,” Prenzler said. “As we end 2020 and move into 2021 we should remember our history and those who founded this great country and the freedoms we have enjoyed. Now is the time to give ‘The Appeal to Heaven.’”
Others sworn into office were former county Board members David Michael as Auditor and Tom McRae as Circuit Clerk. Tom Haine took the oath of office as State’s Attorney.
It was the first virtual swearing in ceremony of its kind in Madison County, according to a county press release.
Officials thanked those in attendance, particularly families, and to the voters who elected them.
“I want to thank the taxpayers of Madison County for trusting me with this position,” Michael said. “I promise to always put you first in the decisions in the Auditor’s office.”
Michael said when he was in college, and taking his CPA exams, there were conversations with his parents about how to integrate accounting with the passionate service of others.
“At that time I never even knew that a county auditor existed,” he said. “This is going to be a great opportunity to serve others and use my passion for public policy, as well as accounting and auditing skills.”
McRae said his family has been in public service as long as he could remember. He said the term “service above self” is fitting to those elected into office.
“I believe in service above self,” McRae said. “As public servants I think we all have to remember who we serve. The office of the circuit clerk belongs to the people.”
County Board member Ray Wesley, of Godfrey, resigned Tuesday and was sworn in as McRae’s chief deputy.
County Clerk Debra Ming-Mendoza introduced retired state senator William Haine, himself a former Madison County State's Attorney and father of the newly elected State's Attorney.
“I would like to impose on you, since I’m a former state’s attorney and senator, to say a few words, if that’s OK?” said Haine, who would moments later administer the oath to his son. “I have to hurry because I’m getting the ‘bins’ with all these Republican’s around.”
Bill Haine, a Democrat, served as Madison County State’s Attorney from 1988 to 2002 and as Illinois State Senator from 2002 to 2019.
He gave an overview of the office “this fine young man” would be assuming.
“This young man is entering into an office during very troubling times,” he said.
Tom Haine was joined by his wife Eva and their four children.
“I want to give all glory to God,” he said at the podium. “I thank him for all the blessings he’s given to me in my life.”
He said the administration of justice is a sacred trust and one he takes seriously. He said it was a great honor that Madison County citizens bestowed that trust upon him.
“I will not let them down,” Haine said. “I will fight every day to fairly, equally and aggressively enforce the law in Madison County and protect all of the constitutional rights we have all fought for and hold so dear.”