Josh Hartke has announced his resignation from Champaign County Board effective April 30th. HIs term wasn’t supposed to end until November of 2020. Hartke served District 6 residents.
Read his resignation letter below:
April 20, 2018
Chair Weibel,
It is with bittersweet regret that I announce my resignation from the Champaign County Board, effective at noon on April 30, 2018. It has been an honor and a privilege to serve the people of Champaign County and the residents of District 6.
I am proud of the work done, despite huge obstacles in our way and the constant, unwavering opposition of Republicans on the board. Maintaining the nursing home as a public resource is a victory. Not spending millions of dollars on a new jail is a victory as well. We created the Racial Justice Task force, and are moving forward with implementing their directives. With hard work from a group of committed local activists, I am leaving the county board Democratic caucus stronger, more diverse, more progressive, and more united than it has ever been.
As I leave, I encourage my fellow Democrats, from governor to county board member, to always remember the importance of sticking to our values, the ones that motivate our base to support us. Remember that the services provided by the nursing home are just as important as those provided by the Recorder or the Sheriff, that justice comes in enabling and supporting those who need it most, not just in punishing those who make mistakes, and that budgets are statements of priorities. Remember that racial justice and economic equality are constant battle to be fought.
And remember that our progressive coalition must stick together, or we will surely lose all that we have fought for to those who would gain power only to enrich themselves.
Thank you for the opportunity to serve.
Sincerely,
Josh Hartke
Champaign County Board District 6