Candidate for Macon Co. Sheriff files lawsuit against current sheriff

DECATUR, Ill. (WAND) - The race for Macon County Sheriff now involves a federal lawsuit.

Deputy Shane Beck is running against current Macon County Sheriff Jim Root as a write-in candidate in the Republican Primary.

Beck filed a federal lawsuit Tuesday in the Central District of Illinois, which claims that Root and Chief Deputy Matthew Jedlicka began treating him differently after he told Root that he would run against him in this year's election.

Beck claims in the lawsuit that Root and Jedlicka prevented him from earning a promotion to assistant shift commander in February 2025 and removed him as a field training officer two months later, a position he had served in for over four years.

He also claimed that Root had him removed from the Special Response Team without justification in January. The lawsuit said that only a handful of deputies serve on the SRT.

Beck stated that he was careful to campaign during his off time away from county property and that he was not speaking for the department.

Additionally, Beck claimed his rights were violated and he was retaliated against. He's seeking compensation and a trial by jury.

Beck sent the following statement to WAND News regarding the lawsuit:

"The core of this matter involves a direct violation of protections against acts by public officials that infringe upon the constitutional rights of an individual. We believe that those entrusted with the badge and the authority of the law must be held to the highest standard of accountability, particularly when their actions overstep the boundaries established by our nation's founding documents.
As this is now a pending legal matter, I cannot comment on the specific evidentiary details or the internal dynamics of the filing at this time. However, it is my firm belief that the integrity of our public offices is non-negotiable."

WAND also reached out to Root for comment and has not heard back.

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