VANDALIA —
Democrat Matt Chancey and Republican Joshua Morrison are running for Fayette County state’s attorney. All county board positions in Fayette County are contested and the race for fifth judicial district appellate court is between Republican Stephen McGlynn and Democrat Judy Cates.
Name: Matt Chancey
Party: Democrat
Age: 59
Family: Married, 3 adult children, 3 grandchildren. Parents, 8 surviving siblings
Incumbent: no
Educational Background: Murphysboro High School 1971; Southern Illinois University, BA Political Science 1975; Chicago-Kent College of Law, JD with honors, 1978
Occupation: Fayette County Assistant State’s Attorney
Memberships: Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War; 10th Illinois Volunteer Cavalry (Living History Organization); SIU Alumni Association, life member; NRA
Why are you running for this position?: Fayette County needs a State’s Attorney who has the experience and the skills to prosecute the many serious felonies that are committed in the county. I am a career prosecutor, with over 28 years experience and the skill to successfully prosecute any case that comes along.
What qualifies you for this position?: I have a great deal more experience and ability than the other candidate. I have extensive experience trying the most serious felonies we might face while my opponent has no experience in those kinds of cases.
Two things you would like to accomplish if elected?: Upgrade the technology used in the office and the courtroom and increase the efficiency in the review and charging process. I would also like to hire an Assistant State’s Attorney who either has experience or who possesses the intellect and work ethic which shows that he/she will be able, in a short time, to handle some of the tough cases that come into the office.
Name: Joshua Morrison
Party: Republican
Age: 40
Family: Married, wife Brooke, two sons.
Incumbent: No
Education: Christian school in Pana, Lake Land College, Eastern Illinois University, Thomas Cooley Law School in Lansing, Mich.
Occupation: I have been with the Sangamon County State’s Attorneys Office for nearly six years. I started in the traffic division and worked my way up to chief DUI prosecutor and then the Felony division. I prosecute felonies exclusively and have done so for the last two and a half years. I have one of the largest if not the largest case loads in the office, carrying almost as many felony cases on a daily basis as the entire number filed last year in Fayette County.
Why are you running for this position: I am running for this position because I want to use the skills that I have developed in Sangamon County to prosecute crime and help the people of Fayette County. I believe that I can make a difference in the lives of Fayette County citizens by careful and fair prosecution of cases and by providing an open and available State’s Attorney’s office that they can be proud of. Running in Fayette County was the logical choice for me and my family because I can be close to family and friends and work in a county in which I can see the results of my work and have a direct impact on the community where my family will make our home.
What qualifies you for this position: I have worked as an Assistant State’s Attorney for Sangamon County for nearly six years. In that time I have prosecuted thousands of criminal cases, including over three thousand DUIs over a broken up two year period. The high volume in Sangamon County has afforded me a great deal of experience in the day to day operation of an office as well as extremely valuable courtroom experience.
What are two things you would like to accomplish if elected: In my term, I plan to research and apply for grants that can help ease the burden of the office on the taxpayers. I will also establish more open office hours in which citizens can come in and ask questions and share concerns.
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Matt Chancey
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Joshua Morrison
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October 30, 2012
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