Sangamon County deserves leadership that listens, protects public process, and respects the people’s voice. During the CyrusOne process, residents showed up in large numbers, asked for more time, and created a clear public record. Instead, public participation was cut short, delay was resisted, and leadership continued forward anyway. This petition demands immediate leadership reform through a public recorded vote to remove Andy Van Meter as County Board Chair and a recorded caucus vote to remove Tony DelGiorno as Democratic Caucus Leader.

We, the undersigned residents, voters, taxpayers, property owners, workers, parents, farmers, neighbors, and stakeholders of Sangamon County and the surrounding region, demand immediate leadership review and recorded public votes to:

1. Remove Andy Van Meter as Chair of the Sangamon County Board
2. Remove Tony DelGiorno as Democratic Caucus Leader of the Sangamon County Board

Andy Van Meter is publicly listed by Sangamon County as the current County Board Chair. Tony DelGiorno is publicly listed by Sangamon County as District 23 and the county says he was elected Democratic Caucus leader in 2024. 

Under Illinois law, a county board chair chosen by the board may be removed, with or without cause, by an affirmative vote of four-fifths of the county board. 

The basis for this petition is the handling of the CyrusOne process and the ongoing loss of public trust that followed.

On March 23, 2026, residents appeared in large numbers before the Sangamon County Board regarding the CyrusOne proposal. Public comment lasted for hours, and the board voted to table the proposal.

On April 7, 2026, the proposal was brought back. More than 60 people signed up to speak. Public comment was capped at one hour. A motion to extend public comment failed on a tied vote, and Andy Van Meter cast the tie-breaking vote against extending it. Only a minute set of those signed up were able to speak before the board proceeded.

That same night, Tony DelGiorno voted against postponing the final vote and then voted in favor of final approval.

Residents reasonably view these actions as contrary to the public record, the public voice, and the public request for more time, more answers, and more meaningful process. These concerns are ongoing.  Andy Van Meter continues to serve as chair despite the breakdown in public trust surrounding his handling of this process. Tony DelGiorno continues to serve as caucus leader despite continuing concern that he is acting in opposition to the clearly expressed position of many residents.

For those reasons, we request the following:

First, that the Sangamon County Board place on its next public agenda a motion to remove Andy Van Meter as County Board Chair and take that vote publicly and by recorded vote.

Second, that the Democratic members of the Sangamon County Board place caucus leadership review on their next caucus agenda and take a recorded caucus vote to remove Tony DelGiorno as Democratic Caucus Leader.

Third, that BEFORE those votes are taken, the board publicly read aloud the oath of office, the principle that government derives its just powers from the consent of the governed, and the policy that public bodies exist to aid in the conduct of the people’s business. 

The people have made their concerns known. The board should address those concerns directly and in public.

We, the undersigned, request immediate action.