Danville, IL (CHAMBANA TODAY) – The president and CEO of Vermilion Advantage, Mike Marron, has resigned amid an ongoing bribery and official misconduct investigation involving the organization and Vermilion County elected officials. Marron’s departure was confirmed Thursday afternoon in a statement released by the organization.
The move comes just days after Vermilion County State’s Attorney Jacqueline Lacy referred allegations of bribery and misconduct—implicating Vermilion Advantage, the Vermilion County Board, and unnamed county officials—to the Illinois State Police Special Investigations Unit.
Marron, a former state representative, addressed the situation in a Facebook post Thursday evening. “Earlier this week, I brought forward concerns about troubling behavior and actions of elected officials in Vermilion County,” Marron wrote. “As Vermilion Advantage is a subsidiary of the County, I thought it best to resign as CEO at this time while the reports against these elected officials are investigated.”
The board of Vermilion Advantage acknowledged Marron’s resignation in a press release, effective immediately. “We sincerely appreciate Mr. Marron’s contributions to the organization and wish him all the best in his future endeavors,” the statement read.
The Illinois State Police investigation remains active. While no specific individuals have been named in the misconduct allegations, sources indicate that multiple public officials could be under scrutiny.
Marron, who served in the Illinois House of Representatives before leading the county’s economic development agency, said he plans to return to his family’s farming business, which has operated in Vermilion County since 1867.
