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Local residents expressed a range of emotions, from frustration to disappointment over the comments made at the last meeting.


GALLATIN COUNTY, Il. (WEVV) —During Thursday night’s Gallatin County Board meeting, Board Member Warren Rollman made a motion to approve the 2025 Courthouse Holiday Schedule without Juneteenth. But his comments on the matter are what sparked outrage.

“Well for one, we’ve already got too many holidays.  And two, it’s a fake holiday created by Democrats to pander to black voters,” Rollman stated.

His statement shocked many attendees, with only one board member voting against the motion.

Rollman’s remarks have reignited a larger conversation about race, representation, and the significance of Juneteenth, which became a federal holiday in 2021, marking a moment of national reflection on the legacy of slavery and systemic inequality.

Local residents have expressed a range of emotions, from frustration to disappointment. Many see the exclusion of Juneteenth as a step backward in the fight for racial equality and inclusion.

44News spoke with Resident, Kelly Foster, on her opinion on the meeting.

“Came across as racist and was disappointing. And not the way I want my home county to be represented,” Foster expressed.

With mounting pressure, the board reconsidered its decision in a revote, though Rollman’s did not show in today’s meeting, his comments may make the outcome far from certain for the community.

“He lets us know that he thinks some of us, depending on how we vote or the color of our skin, have less value,” Foster informed.

While some board members insisted their decision was not racially motivated, those in attendance were not convinced. Before finalizing their vote, the board acknowledged the potential for legal repercussions, given that Juneteenth is a federally recognized holiday. 

In the end, the board voted once again, this time with a 3-to-1 outcome in favor of reinstating Juneteenth as part of the courthouse holiday schedule. 

Tonight’s revote may have brought Juneteenth back into the holiday schedule, but the incident has left tensions surrounding race, history, and political divides.