Since SA Haine clarified that Madison County operates under the Township form of government, a mandatory function of the Board, according to THE ILLINOIS ASSOCIATION OF COUNTY BOARD MEMBERS AND COMMISSIONERS is the following:
Evaluate all claims made on county funds and prosecute or defend lawsuits brought by or against the county and any officers thereof.
In the event that a lawsuit results in a judgment against the county or on of its officers, the board or commission is responsible for
paying any damages awarded by the court.
It seems that the Board, including the elected Chairman should have their nose in such matters.
"Life only comes from life" ~ Louis Pasteur (Law of Biogenesis)