By PAUL LORENZ
paul.lorenz@mcleansborotimesleader.com
McLEANSBORO — Opportunities to cast votes in next month’s primary election prior to the actual election day begin this week.
Locally, the lone contested race in the Feb. 2 primary is on the Democratic side, where three candidates — Jody Benbrook, David R. Campbell and Kenny Shreve, all of McLeansboro — seek their party’s nomination for sheriff. The winner will go up against Republican incumbent Sheriff Greg Brenner in the general election.
For Hamilton County Board, incumbent Republicans Donald E. Mitchell — the board’s chairman — and John R. Chapman of McLeansboro seek to retain their seats in a field which includes Republican Joe Bernard of Dahlgren, Democrat Wilburn D. “Willie” Grubb of Enfield and Democrat Michael Mezo of McLeansboro.
Since no more than three candidates from any party have filed for County Board, all five will move on to the general election Nov. 2, when three will be elected to at-large seats.
Statewide offices will also be on the primary ballot, including the office of governor.
Applications for absentee ballots for the primary will be accepted until Jan. 28 at the office of the Hamilton County clerk at the courthouse in McLeansboro, according to information from County Clerk Mary Anne Hopfinger.
Grace period registration and voting started Wednesday in the county clerk’s office and continues Mondays through Fridays, 8 a.m to 4:30 p.m., until Jan. 26.
Early voting will be conducted in the county clerk’s office, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Mondays through Fridays, Jan. 11 to 28.
• For more information: Hamilton County clerk’s office, 643-2721.
Local
Winding down to the primary
Opportunities for absentee ballots, grace period registration, early voting
- Local
-
-
Coal mine officials plan for rail loop
With a new coal mine in Hamilton County nearly halfway complete, the mine developer is proposing the relocation of a county road in preparation for construction of a rail spur.
-
Fifty years for sexual assault
A former Hamilton County man received a 50-year prison sentence for sexually assaulting a child under the age of 13 in 2008.
-
Meeting on land leasing scheduled
Farmers and other landowners who’ve been approached about leasing their land for potential drilling sites have an opportunity to learn more at a meeting next week.
-
Donations of items for All-Schools Reunion continue
Donations for the 2012 Hamilton County All-Schools Reunion raffle continue to come in.
-
Local man named RLC president
A Hamilton County native will be the new president of Rend Lake College.
-
Legal Self-Help Center opens at local library
People in need of a little legal help now have another place to turn — the local public library.
-
Circuit clerk challenger wins
Hamilton County will have a new circuit clerk later this year, assuming vote totals from this week’s primary hold up.
-
IDOT commits $2.15M to new county truck route
A major piece of funding is in place for a proposed new truck route in Hamilton County.
-
Local water operator honored
Recognition as Illinois Rural Water Association’s Water Operator of the Year isn’t just about him, Hamilton County Water District’s superintendent says.
-
Hospital board tables bond ordinance
Requesting more information “in black and white,” Hamilton Memorial Hospital District’s board of directors on Tuesday tabled an ordinance authorizing the refinancing of hospital district facilities.
- More Local Headlines
-
Coal mine officials plan for rail loop
Ravi Spared Prison in Rutgers Webcam Case
Miss. Prison Quiet After Riot; 1 Dead
Obama Confident Afghans Can Take Security Lead
Raw Video: Deadly Bombing at Yemen Parade Preps
Professor: Chinese Activist's 'Spirit Is Good'
Ring of Fire Eclipse Seen in U.S., Asia
Golden Gate Bridge Celebrates 75 Years
G-8 Seeks Unity on Euro-debt Crisis, Iran
Prosecutors: Trio Planned to Attack Obama's HQ
Obama: G8 Unified in Stance on Iran, Syria
