(Editor's note: This article has been updated from its original version and corrected to reflect that Adler was hired Executive Director of the Metro East Sanitary District by the MESD board. The article had mistakenly stated that Prenzler appointed him to the position. We regret the mistake.)
In the final weeks ahead of the March 19 primary, Republican candidates for Madison County Circuit Clerk are clashing over qualifications for the position that oversees court records.
As is the case for all county wide contests, the primary will effectively determine who wins the general election as no Democrats have stepped into the ring this cycle. Beginning 10 years ago, county voters have expressed a strong preference for GOP candidates in the once deep blue county.
Patrick McRae, who serves as deputy Madison County treasurer, takes aim at rival Stephen Adler, former deputy county administrator and Illinois Department of Human Services employee, for his collection of two public pensions.
According to the most recent records obtained through government spending watchdog Open the Books, Adler receives pension benefits from the State Retirement System of roughly $7,000 per month and from the Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund of more than $1,900 per month.
In 2021, records show his monthly pension payment was $8,282.68, and in 2022, was $6,777.04. For Adler's county pension, in 2021, records show a monthly payment of $1,978.01, and in 2022, $1,929.44.
The position of Circuit Clerk pays $122,500 annually, mostly funded by the county and partially by the state.
If elected, Adler, 64, could suspend receipt of IMRF benefits to grow monthly payments for post service or continue to receive his current monthly public pension payments of close to $10,000, in addition to the six-figure Circuit Clerk salary. He also is eligible for monthly Social Security benefits.
In 2020, following reports that four Democrat elected officials (and two running for office) were earning close to or more than $200,000 in pension plus salary, Madison County voters emphatically disapproved of "double-dipping" by a margin of 70-30 in an advisory referendum.
"Stephen Adler is the definition of the swamp," McRae said. "He collects numerous public pensions and receives free taxpayer funded healthcare for life. He seems less interested in public service and more interested in the public trough."
Adler did not respond to requests for comment on this story.
Having been picked by county Chairman Kurt Prenzler to serve as deputy administrator, Adler was placed on administrative leave on April 30, 2021, but at the time officials would not provide details on the record.
A report investigating alleged misconduct by Adler and obtained by the Record recommended Adler be suspended from his position without pay as one of a number of alternatives for potential disciplinary action for some or all of four instances the investigator said likely violated county conduct policy: threatening a county employee's job, attempting to use an official position to secure special privleges, making a derogatory comment on a person's sexual orientation, and failing to provide complete, accurate and/or truthful information during the course of the investigation.
Adler has attacked McRae, claiming nepotism in his candidacy. McRae's father Tom McRae currently holds the position of Circuit Clerk, but is not seeking re-election.
"Patrick McRea (sic) is not his Dad Tom McRea (sic)," Adler's Feb. 10 Facebook post states. "This is a Nepotism switcheroo and it was very controversial for Tom to try and sneak his son Patrick into office at the last minute.
"This is the Republican Party, not the Democrat Party. We elect our leaders and officials based in merit, not birth. I am glad everyone is seeing this nepotistic scheme for what it is."
McRae, 35, responded by saying Adler's attack is an attempt to distract voters from his "checkered employment history." He said he would be glad to compare his conservative credentials, track record of success, and integrity to that of Adler "any day of the week."
"Adler is a big fan of fake news," McRae said. "I'm mystified as to how my candidacy has 'tricked' anyone. It's sad that he thinks Republican voters aren't smart enough to know who they are voting for. He should be honest about his controversial departure from Madison County."
McRae is aligned with current Treasurer and candidate for county Chairman, Chris Slusser, who faces Prenzler on the primary ballot.
Like Slusser, McRae is endorsed by all Republican county wide elected officials, including State's Attorney Tom Haine, Sheriff Jeff Connor, Circuit Clerk Thomas McRae, Auditor David Michael, County Clerk Linda Andreas and Regional Superintendent of Schools Robert Werden.
Adler is aligned with incumbent chairman Prenzler, whose administration has suffered setbacks and waning support among the Republican majority county board.
Notably, one of the largest challenges Prenzler has faced was a 19-6 county board vote in July 2022 to strip him of nearly all of his "substantive powers" within county board administration. In a statement released by the county board's majority, they attributed the additional oversight to Prenzler's "bad personnel decisions," "misogynistic comments," and legal fees and settlements under Prenzler's administration.
Prenzler's ties with Adler go back several years. Adler was hired by the Metro East Sanitary District board to serve as Executive Director after Prenzler was elected Madison County Board Chairman in 2016. Adler had previously served on the county board for 12 years. But in 2019, Democrats in the Illinois General Assembly passed legislation taking control of MESD with a bill that changed how board commissioners were appointed.
Adler then returned to Prenzler's administration in April 2020 to help manage the county's Covid-19 response, and then later as deputy administrator.