County settles lawsuit with former engineer Doug Bishop for $105,000, borrows $200,000 in tax anticipation warrant

The Perry County Board approved a settlement with former County Engineer Doug Bishop for a total of $105,000. The county will pay $52,500 and their insurance company, Illinois Counties Risk Management Trust will pay $52,500.

Bishop left the county when his contract was not renewed in 2012. In 2013, he filed suit seeking $532,150 in unpaid comp time, vacation time, sick time and personal days for the 12 years he was employed. In July 2013, the lawsuit was moved to federal court.

The settlement approved Thursday evening by the board was agreed upon by both parties after individual and group discussions with Magistrate Judge Philip M. Frazier at the Federal Courthouse in Benton on Tuesday.

The board also approved borrowing $200,000 in a tax anticipation warrant from First National Bank in Pinckneyville at 1.4 percent interest. This is the second loan this fiscal year for the county. They borrowed $200,000 in February from the same bank at the same rate.

Treasurer Bill Taylor said the county is having cash flow problems.