Millikin v. County of Edgar

Citations

• 142 Ill. 528
• 18 L.R.A. 447

Syllabus

<p>1. County poor house keeper — duration of appointment. A county board of supervisors is empowered by statute to acquire land for a poor house, and to appoint a keeper thereof, and to make provision for the care, custody and support of the poor; but such board has not the power to contract with the person appointed as poor house keeper, for the management of the poor house and farm and care of paupers, for a period extending to three years, and if such contract is attempted to be made it will be void.</p> <p>2. Counties — source, nature and manner of exercise of their powers. Counties are political divisions of the State, created for governmental purposes, and they possess such powers as have been conferred by the constitution and legislative department of the State. Their powers are of a public nature, conferred mainly for public purposes, and they should be exercised in such a manner as will best promote the interests and advance the welfare of the people.</p>