PEORIA, IL -- The first forum for candidates running in Peoria County in contested races began to define the differences between them.
The event was on Sept. 24, sponsored by the Greater Peoria League of Women Voters, and followed rules that included only written questions from the audience.
Here is a recording of the forum.
Download Peo candidate forum Sept 24 16
Circuit Judge: Democrat Jodi Hoos and Republican Tim Cusack, both now serving as appointed judges, are competing for this open post. Both stressed their experience, though Cusack likely has an edge with his 27 years as an attorney, in private practice, as a public defender, a prosecutor and now a judge.
Hoos has been a lawyer since 2000, and worked in the prosecutor's office before her appointment to the bench 18 months ago.
Cusack made an interesting observation that his service in juvenile and family court has saved taxpayers $4 million, in settling cases and keeping kids out of the state system.
In an April forum on so-called shaken baby syndrome, it was noted that he is open to the science on that subject. The science maintains that it takes real trauma to cause the symptoms often cited in court, and therefore physical signs of that trauma. Merely shaking a baby cannot cause death or trauma.
This is a question that should be asked of these candidates in other forums.
Peoria County Auditor: Democrat Carol VanWinkle is the incumbent in this office, there since 2007. Republican Alan Paredes is the challenger.
Both agreed that the office should not be abolished, as it provides independent oversight on county spending by an elected official answerable to the public. The alternative is a hired auditor who only samples the expenditures, a situation that has led to fraud elsewhere.
VanWinkle said she believes in transparency, and that the county's checkbook is on the web and "can be downloaded." Paredes said it's too complicated, and "should be simplified."
Peoria County Coroner: Incumbent Johnna Ingersoll, a Republican, is being challenged by Democrat Jamie Harwood, a certified forensic nurse.
Ingersoll was elected in 2004, and has worked in the office for 28 years. She said 78 percent of all deaths in the county are reported to the coroner.
Harwood said she has not taken advantage of training for her staff, and that inquests should be abolished as they are obsolete in today's world. That would enable a death certificate to be issued more quickly, a crucial document for survivors to access insurance and other necessities.
"We're one of the few (counties) offering inquests," Harwood said.
Ingersoll said "we issue pending death certificates."
Harwood said families should be told what happened to the deceased, but "not in the courtroom setting," namely the inquest.
These candidates also need other questions about their actions in this office. A civil lawsuit involving employment issues is pending against Ingersoll.
Peoria County Board, District 11. Democrat Laurie Covington and Republican Greg Adamson are the candidates for this open seat.
Adamson, a physician, was scheduled to attend but did not appear. Covington was only able to introduce herself, then mingle with the audience, according to LWV rules.
In a forum for the Republican primary, Adamson had to ask for an explanation of TIF districts, Tax Increment Financing districts, controversial because they deprive taxing districts such as the schools and parks of tax revenue for 23 years to foster development.He should be asked about this if he appears at a subsequent forum.
Also present at the event was the Democratic candidate for the 18th Congressional District, Junius Rodriguez. He is challenging Daren LaHood, the Republican incumbent. LaHood has ducked the League's attempts to schedule a forum for this race, claiming to be too busy.
Rodriguez, a Eureka College history professor and author, also mingled with the audience.
Here's the Journal Star's story on the forum.
-- Elaine Hopkins
Comments