HILLSBORO (Heartland Newsfeed) — The person who has held county office longer than anyone in Montgomery County’s 196-year history announced that he will not seek a tenth term in office.
Ron Jenkins, who has served as Montgomery County Treasurer since 1982, will have held the office for nine full terms–36 years–when he retires.
“My desire is to retire at the end of this current term, which is Nov. 30, 2018,” Jenkins said. “I took office on Dec. 1, 1982, and during the past 35 years, there has not been a day I did not enjoy serving the public. I have been blessed with wonderful staff who to this day I would compare with any county treasurer’s staff in the state of Illinois. We have expanded our capabilities and technology and withstood any trial or test given to us. I can retire knowing that my office has served the public well and that the current staff will continue to do so. This has been my ultimate goal.”
Jenkins graduated from Morrisonville High School in 1967 and served in the United States Army from 1969 to 1972. After attending Lincoln Land Community College, he worked for the state as an accountant and ran for Montgomery County Treasurer in 1982.
He and his wife Margo have one son, Troy.
“Thank you to the citizens of Montgomery County for all of your support over the years,” the treasurer said.
Jake Leonard, a broadcast media and journalism veteran, is the editor-in-chief of Heartland Newsfeed. Leonard is also GM and program director of Heartland Newsfeed Radio Network, wrestling editor and contributing writer for Ambush Sports, a contributing writer for My Sports Vote and Midwest Sports Network, and a former contributor to Bleacher Report and Overtime Heroics. He resides at home in Nokomis, Ill. with his dog Buster.