All five members of the Eastern Board of Trustees may be removed from their positions because of a new amendment to the Illinois Governmental Ethics Act.

Public Act 097-0582, which took effect on Aug. 26, states that all appointments made by the governor whose terms have since expired will be vacated from their positions by Oct. 25.

The governor appoints each member of the Board of Trustees and they serve six-year terms.

President Bill Perry said Board of Trustees members can still serve on the board even though their term has expired, but this new public act requires action by Gov. Quinn.

“It is entirely up to the governor and there is a potential for significant change,” Perry said. “We are just waiting on the governor’s action.”

The terms of each of the five Eastern Board of Trustees members have expired.

Board of Trustees members Robert Webb, Roger Kratochvil and Leo Welch were appointed in August 2004.

Trustee William O’Rourke was appointed in June 2005, and trustee Julie Nimmons was appointed in April 2001.

According to the amendment to the Illinois Governmental Ethics Act, unless the governor makes appointments by Tuesday, Eastern could be without a functioning Board of Trustees.

Webb, chairman of the Board of Trustees, said at this point no one knows what could transpire from this new law.

“The situation is in the hands of Governor Quinn,” Webb said. “We have not received contact by the governor about this, but I assume reappointments will be made before (Oct. 25). I suppose if he chooses to make appointments beyond that date he could, but no one knows because this legislation has never been in effect before.”

According to Section 10-15 of Eastern Illinois University Law, “The Board shall consist of 7 voting members appointed by the Governor, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate, and one voting member who is a student at Eastern Illinois University.”

Perry said there is certainly potential for new board membership because there are two vacant positions on the Board of Trustees.

In June 2005, Roger Dettro, former mayor of Mattoon, resigned from the Board of Trustees and his position has been open since then. The other vacant position opened when Trustee Donald Yost resigned in April.

The next Board of Trustees meeting is scheduled for Nov. 18.

“Assuming appointments and reappointments will be made before (Oct. 25), even though the (Illinois) Senate may not give confirmation by (Nov. 18), I would presume that whoever is appointed would meet on the 18th,” Webb said.

Rachel Rodgers can be reached at 581-2812 or [email protected].