The Madison County Board will vote tonight on Chairman Kurt Prenzler’s recommendation to appoint board member Michael “Doc” Holliday (D-Alton) to the Southwestern Illinois Law Enforcement Commission (SILEC).
Prenzler said a vacancy was created on the commission following the death of board member Bill Meyer (R-Hamel).
He said he sent an email to all county board members asking if anyone was interested in the position. Board members Holliday, Terry Eaker (R-Bethalto) and Paul Nicolusi (R-Collinsville) expressed interest.
Several board members have raised concerns about Holliday being appointed to SILEC based on his support of the SAFE-T Act and gun ban legislation.
“I think Mr. Holliday is a good man, but he’s not the right person to serve on the SILEC board, based on his past statements,” said board member Mike Babcock (R-Bethalto). “He openly supported the so-called ‘SAFE-T Act,’ so it’s unacceptable that Chairman Prenzler would attempt to appoint him.”
“There are 26 members of the County Board, so it’s really confusing as to why Mr. Prenzler would choose the one County Board Member who has been least supportive of law enforcement to serve on this commission,” said board member Stacey Pace (R-Troy). “He should be appointing someone who reflects the overall views of the county board, the law enforcement community and the citizens of this county. This appointment clearly falls short of that.”
The press release states that Connor recommended Eaker for the position.
“Eaker is chair of the Public Safety committee and had previously worked for 5 years as an auxiliary police officer,” Connor said.
Prenzler said he contacted the current and outgoing executive directors of SILEC for their thoughts on the appointment, and they recommended Holliday. He added that the outgoing executive director is a former Alton police chief.
“Doc himself says he supports law enforcement,” Prenzler said.
Holliday has not respond to a request for comment.
During the February 2021 Madison County Board meeting, Holliday was the only board member who voted against a resolution urging Gov. J.B. Pritzker to veto the SAFE-T Act, which eliminates cash bail and has been “opposed overwhelmingly by law enforcement throughout the state,” according to a press release.
Madison County State’s Attorney Tom Haine, a Republican, and former Sheriff John Lakin, a Democrat, filed a bi-partisan lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of the SAFE-T Act. Sheriff Jeff Connor later joined the lawsuit following his election in November 2022.
Board member Ryan Kneedler (R-Collinsville) and attorney Don Weber are currently members of SILEC.