JERSEYVILLE – Douglas “Brian” Figge was sworn in on Tuesday to fill a vacancy on the Jersey County Board left by former Chairman Gary Krueger, who died late last month.
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After observing a moment of silence, County Board members unanimously approved a resolution of sympathy to the Krueger family following his death on Tuesday, April 21, 2026.
“Gary faithfully served the citizens of Jersey County as a dedicated public official, serving as former Mississippi Township Trustee, member of the Jersey County Rural Water Board and Jersey County Soil and Water Conservation Board, as well as past Chairman of the Jersey County Republican Central Committee and as recent as Jersey County Board Chairman from December 1, 2022 until his passing,” the resolution states.
Board members then unanimously approved a recommendation from Republican Central Committee Chairman Marty Ward to appoint Douglas “Brian” Figge to the Jersey County Board to fill the vacant District 4 seat left by Krueger.
Shortly after the board’s approval, Figge was officially sworn in and took his new seat on the board. County Clerk Pam Warford administered his oath of office.
Former Vice Chairman Mark Wagner has since taken on the role of Chairman, prompting the appointment of a new Vice Chairman. Board members unanimously approved the appointment of Kara Ontis as the board’s new Vice Chairman, with no other nominations made.
The County Board also approved a series of updates to various committee appointments for the ongoing terms spanning Dec. 1, 2024 to Nov. 30, 2026. These include Ontis as Tourism Committee chair, Figge as a member of the Economic Development Committee and Veteran’s Assistance Commission, and Wagner as chair of the Personnel and Liquor Control Committees, as well as a member of the Counties of Illinois Risk Management Agency and Legislative Committee of the Illinois Association of County Board Members.
