“Work ethic is instilled in us and sticks with us throughout our lives. This county also comes together when something happens. We’ve suffered through a lot of loss as a county but we always persevere.”
Patrick O’Brian, Fulton County Clerk and Recorder
ON THIS EPISODE
Should our local government have political parties? When and where do our town meetings take place? Why is it all so complicated? Navigating our local government can be tricky, especially in Illinois which has more units of government than any state. On this edition, high school students Kalee Foster and Emma Probyn dive into discussion with Patrick O’Brian, the Fulton County Clerk and Recorder, to better understand the intricacies of governance in their community.
Mr. O’Brian was elected in 2020 and re-elected in 2022 to serve as the county clerk and recorder. He is also a regular visitor to area classrooms to educate students on the importance of getting involved in their community. In this interview, he offers insights into his personal connection to Fulton County, the structure of our local government, and why it’s important to get involved wherever you can.
Essential & Supporting Questions
- What did our Founding Fathers get right about organizing the government? Where did they need to improve?
- How is our local government organized in relation to our federal and state governments?
- Is it necessary to have political parties in the local government of small towns?
- What advice do you have for high school students growing up in this region when it comes to learning about local government?
Pat O’Brian’s Bio (Source: Fultoncountyil.gov)
Pat O’Brian serves as the Fulton County Clerk and Recorder, elected in 2020 and re-elected in 2022. A native of Fulton County, Pat was born in Canton and currently resides in Farmington. He and his wife, Maria, have five children. He has served parts of 2 terms on the County Board, most recently as County Board Chairman. He spent 19 years at McDonald’s twice being recognized as one of the Top 10% of General Managers in the Country. He eventually worked his way up to Area Supervisor which includes multi-restaurant supervision, over 250 employees, and over $10,000,000 in annual sales.
With a deep appreciation for the community’s work ethic and resilience, Mr. O’Brian is committed to serving the residents of Fulton County and fostering a vibrant environment for future generations. You can reach Pat O’Brian at pobrian@fultoncountyilelections.gov.
SOURCES
- Link to District Maps of our county board – Districts Map – Fulton County (fultoncountyil.gov)
- Fulton County Board members – Members – Fulton County (fultoncountyil.gov)
- Types of U.S. Local Governments by State: 2022 (census.gov)
- Biography of Mr. O’Brian and other Elected Officials from Fulton County, IL (From fultoncountyil.gov)
The Forgottonia Project 