People ex rel. Bull v. Board of Supervisors

Citations

• 84 Ill. 303

Syllabus

<p>1. Mandamus—to compel county board to build jail. If a county board should fail and refuse to provide any kind of a jail in -which to confine prisoners, and it is made clearly to appear that the finances of the county are such as to justify the construction of one, the duty enjoined on the board by statute may be enforced by mandamus, but the court can not interfere with the discretion vested in the board as to the kind of a jail to be provided.</p> <p>2. County board—discretionary power in respect to jails. The county boards, under the statute, have the sole power to determine the size, cost, and quality of the materials of which county jails shall be constructed. In this, and various other respects, they are invested with a discretion, as to which the courts have no power to interfere.</p> <p>3. Jails—county board is made judge of the suitableness and quality. Where a board of supervisors have provided a county jail, the court, on an application for a mandamus, can not inquire into the fact whether it is suitable or in suitable repair, but this is a question for the board to decide.</p>