MADISON - ST. CLAIR RECORD

Madison County Chairman Kurt Prenzler and other county officials were sworn into office Tuesday in a virtual ceremony live-streamed on the county's social media platform Twitch.

Judge Christopher P. Threlkeld has been appointed to the David Dugan vacancy in Madison County Circuit Court, at the recommendation of retiring Illinois Supreme Court Justice Lloyd Karmeier.

Republican Tom McRae was elected Madison County Circuit Clerk over Democratic opponent Amy Gabriel in a vote of 54 to 46 percent.McRae, who currently serves as a Madison County board member, received 71,215 votes with Gabriel receiving 60,509 votes. Current Circuit Clerk Mark von Nida, Democrat, announced last year that he would not seek reelection. 

Madison County board member David Michael, Republican, defeated Democratic opponent Joe Silkwood by a margin of 56-44 for County Auditor.

Madison County voters overwhelmingly support referendums seeking to save taxpayer money. By a margin of 78-22, voters approved a binding resolution lowering the maximum tax rate to .18 percent. Voters also opposed the non-binding resolution asking if they supported double dipping, which is when retired county employees and officials draw a pension while also drawing a salary paid for by taxpayers. The resolution was rejected in a vote of 70 to 30 percent. The most significant margin was in support of a non-binding resolution asking if Illinois General Assembly legislators should not receive automatic pay increases. Voters overwhelmingly supported the question by a vote of 87 to 13 percent.

Republican Tom Haine is elected Madison County State’s Attorney, defeating opponent Crystal Uhe by a 55-45 margin.

Incumbent Kurt Prenzler elected Madison County Board Chairman for a second term, defeating Democratic opponent Bob Daiber 53 to 47 percent.

Madison County voters elect Republican candidates Stephen Stobbs and Amy Maher to fill two circuit judge vacancies.

Supporters of Illinois Supreme Court candidate Judy Cates accuse opponent David Overstreet of "releasing" a "child rapist" from prison because he concurred with other judges in June that the accused should not have been convicted in absentia while hospitalized.

Madison County Circuit Judge Sarah Smith reported more than $138,000 in campaign contributions in her final quarterly report before the Nov. 3 election, including contributions from asbestos plaintiff’s firms and unions.

ALTON - The House of Representatives’ Special Investigating Committee was abruptly paused Tuesday by Democratic Chairman Chris Welch (D-Hillside), halting the legislative investigation into Speaker Mike Madigan’s alleged pay-to-play bribery scheme with ComEd until after the Nov. 3 General Election, giving fodder to Republicans who say House Democrats aren’t serious about ending corruption.

Voters in Madison and Bond counties have the opportunity to make the Third Judicial Circuit more diverse this election.Two circuit court seats are in contention - vacancies left by the retirements of Andreas Matoesian, who served as judge for more than 50 years in Madison County and Dave Hylla, who served there for 13 years.

BELLEVILLE – Write in candidate Ron Duebbert, who needed seven votes in a final count of primary ballots to run for state’s attorney in November, picked up one.

St. Clair County Clerk Tom Holbrook said that Republican write-in candidate for State's Attorney Ron Duebbert received seven fewer votes of 223 needed to secure the nomination.

Election officials in Madison and St. Clair counties are dealing with a significant number of calls from election judges seeking to be excused from service on primary election day on Tuesday over concerns about the spread of coronavirus. But both counties expect to have all precincts staffed and safe.

BELLEVILLE – St. Clair County and former state’s attorney Brendan Kelly moved to dismiss Ron Duebbert’s malicious prosecution suit on Feb. 28, claiming he failed to demonstrate there was no probable cause.

How much will endorsements matter in the Republican primary for a seat at the Illinois Supreme Court?

Neither Centreville or Alorton, whose citizens are voting on a merger proposal in the upcoming March 17 primary, filed last year’s financial report or audit with state comptroller Susana Mendoza.

Fifth District Appellate Court Justice Mark Boie and Madison County Ciruit Court Judge Sarah Smith were rated "highly recommended" in the recently released Illinois State Bar Association judicial evaluation.

Fifth District Appellate Court Justices David Overstreet and Judy Cates were rated "highly recommended" in the Illinois State Bar Association judicial evaluation released this week.