Madison County Board terminates lease with Madison County Historical Society, approves $300,000 settlement

The Madison County Board on Sept. 15 adopted a resolution terminating the Lease and Operating Agreement with the Madison County Historical Society and appropriated $300,000 to the society as full and final satisfaction of the County's financial obligations under the agreement, provided the society executes a general mutual release. The resolution sets the termination effective date as Nov. 30, 2021 and directs the State's Attorney to provide written notice to the Historical Society and the County Administrator to coordinate surrender of county property on the premises.

During discussion, Board member Bruce Malone asked for "a real brief explanation" of the action and whether the museum had chosen to end the relationship. County staff responded that "there’s 2 things at play: Many individuals on the county board did not want to continue on with the relationship. The museum also came and approached several board members about terminating the relationship and this is where we’re at." (county staff statement). Board member Erica Harriss added a public acknowledgment of museum staff, saying she wanted to make sure "it’s not construed that there is anything negative there," and praised Jon Parkin for his work at the archival library.

The resolution authorizes the County Administrator to coordinate removal, disposal or transfer of county-owned property in the museum, and approves the appropriation of $300,000 to MCHS conditioned on execution of a mutual release and termination. The motion passed unanimously by roll call (AYES 26, NAYS 0).

Next steps noted in the resolution direct the State's Attorney to provide written termination notice and the County Administrator to manage logistical steps before the Nov. 30, 2021 effective date.