Voters approve 2 more on county board

Within a few years, Union County will have a five-member board of commissioners.

A referendum to increase the number of commissioners was approved by a wide margin in Tuesday's Union County general election.

The proposal passed by a margin of 4,059-2,279.

The county board currently is made up of three commissioners.

Passage of the referendum came as a surprise to many of those who were watching as results were tallied Tuesday night at the Union County Courthouse in Jonesboro.

At this time, it appears that the three commissioners will be elected in the 2012 election in Union County.

Two commissioners likely would be elected to serve six-year terms. One would be elected to serve a two-year term. The full term for a commissioner is six years.

The commissioners will be elected on an at-large basis.

The Union County state's attorney, the Union County clerk and the Illinois State Board of Elections will be working together on details of the process for the transition from three to five commissioners.

<p>End of an era: A familiar part of the Union County landscape has found a new home in Ohio. The rabbit sign at the former Bunny Bread bakery building in Anna was taken down last Thursday. The rabbit sign and accompanying letters on the building were removed and transported to the Bundy Baking Museum in Urbana, Ohio. The baking museum features vintage and modern signage, vehicles, advertising, and even turn-of-the-century baking equipment.</p>