Macon County, Illinois was organized in 1829, and at that time included not only its present geographic area, but also in portions of the present-day Piatt, DeWitt, and Moultrie Counties. The county was named in honor of Nathaniel Macon of North Carolina, who was a prominent national character during many of the early years of our Republic, having served with distinction throughout the Revolutionary War. Township organization was adopted at the election held in November, 1859.
The Macon County Board currently has 7 Districts, with three members representing each District for a total of 21 Board members. The Macon County Board Chair is elected from the Board members.
Macon County, Illinois is home to Decatur's Millikin University, Richland Community College, and two major regional hospitals: Decatur Memorial Hospital and St. Mary's Hospital. Macon County is a leader in agribusiness with the headquarters of Archer Daniels Midland Company (ADM), a Tate and Lyle research and manufacturing facility, and it hosts the world-renown Farm Progress Show every other year.
According to the 2010 US Census, Macon County, Illinois has a population of 110,768. The largest urban areas in the County are the City of Decatur, the Village of Mt. Zion, and the Village of Forsyth.
Visitors will find many historical sites around Macon County, many that are associated with Abraham Lincoln including the log house where Lincoln tried several cases as a lawyer in the 1830's, the site of his famous "Stump Speech", the site where Lincoln was nominated for President, and the Lincoln Homestead where Lincoln and his family lived.
The purpose of this website is to increase awareness and accessibility to information about local government, services and programs of Macon County. Please check back often for updates in the scrolling news box. If you know what you are looking for, but can't find it, please use the Site Search box in the top left. Check out our Questions and Answers page for the most common questions that we get. You can click on the weather in the box on the left hand side to get detailed information and forecasts from the weather channel. If you would like to see a list of every page on this site use the site map at the bottom of the page.
Parking while conducting business at the County Office Building is available as follows:
3 hour unmetered, free parking in the angle parking spots on Main Street across the street This parking is monitored and tickets will be given after the 3 hour time limit
3 hour or 10 hour metered parking in Municipal Lot #10 across Main street
A minimal number of 30 minute free parking spots are available on Wood Street in front of the County Office Building Another small number of 30 minute free spots plus a few handicapped spots are also available in back of the building and are accessible through the drive off of Main St.
Parking while at the Courthouse is available in Municipal Lot #1
Macon County does not have contracts with Lobbyists, however does pay dues to some government sector lobbying associations which include most Departmental Associations as well as the following:
General Primary Absentee Voting & Voter Registration Information
General Primary absentee voting & voter registration information can be found here.
2014 Macon County Candidate and Precinct Committeeman Filings for March Primary
The 2014 Macon County Offices and Candidates Report for the March Primary are available for download here.
2014 Macon County Decatur Township Primary Ballot Question
The 2014 Macon County Decatur Township Primary Ballot Question can be viewed by clicking here.
Candidate Withdrawal Notice
Candidate Withdrawal after deadline notice can be found here
Macon County Approved Budget
The FY2014 Macon County Approved Budget is available for download here.
Macon County Audit
The Macon County Comprehensive Financial report is available for download here.
New Property Tax Website
Macon County now has a new way to research property taxes. Our new website www.propertytax.co.macon.il .us is available to the public. You can use this site to view property tax exemptions, sales, ownership and much more.
Macon County Tax Bills
View a copy of the frequently asked questions here.
Open Meetings Act Amendment – Duty to Post Compensation Information
A recent amendment to the Open Meetings Act requires an employer who participates in the Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund (“IMRF”) to post on its website, or at its principal office if it does not have a website, for two (2) different categories of employees: those employees with a total compensation package in excess of $75,000 and those employees with a total compensation package equal to or greater than $150,000. These changes were part of Public Act 97-609, the pension reform bill. The provisions concerning posting on the website become effective on January 1, 2012.
Water Conservation
Even a small amount of rain can fill a rain barrel that is linked to a downspout from the roof of a home or garage. Rain barrels are in stock. Call 425-4505 or click here.
Environmental Notice:
For information regarding special collections and events: email EnvironmentalManagement@co.macon.il.us requesting to be placed on our email list. If you would prefer to receive a postcard notification of recycling events and special collections, please submit your name and address to: Macon County Environmental Management, 141 S. Main Street, Room 408, Decatur, IL 62523 Or phone 425-4505 and request to be placed on our notification list. Thank you for recycling!
Recorder Fee Notice
A new fee schedule went into efffect December 1, 2013. To view new schedule click here.
