ILLINOIS: SEVENTEEN ARE SEEKING TWO JUDICIAL POSTS

MARION, Ill. -- Circuit judges in nine Southern Illinois counties will be casting votes this week to choose two new associate judges in the First Judicial Circuit.

"The two new judges will give the circuit a total of 20 judges 13 circuit judges and seven associate judges," said Stephen Spomer, who was recently appointed to new two-year term as chief judge in the circuit. The circuit has been operation with 18 judges for several months.

The first Judicial Circuit is comprised of Alexander, Jackson, Williamson, Johnson, Massac, Pope, Pulaski, Saline and Union counties.

A total of 17 attorneys applied for the two associate judge positions in the circuit.

The vacancies came up during the recent shuffling of judges in the circuit. The Illinois Supreme court appointed longtime associate Judge Arlie O. Boswell Jr., of Harrisburg, to fill a remaining two-year term on the federal bench, and approved a request to temporarily add a seventh associate judge to the nine-county judicial circuit.

The list of candidates include former Alexander County State's Attorney Mark Clarke, and Union County State's Attorney Wes Wilkins. Also in the running are former Saline County State's Attorney David W. Hauptmann, and former Jackson County State's Attorney Howard Hood of Carbondale.

Other candidates include Thomas Jones, city attorney at Murphysboro; Lee Starkweather, assistant city attorney at Carbondale; Stanley Narusis, city attorney at Johnston City; Williamson County Public Defender Larry Broeking; and former Williamson County State's Attorney Brian Lewis.

Completing the list of candidates are Mary Margaret Bleyer of Marion; Elizabeth Dibble of Marion, Kathy Jean Geer of Johnston City; Richard J. Habiger of Carbondale, Brian Lewis of Marion; James Rodger of Saline county; Krystal Tison of Harrisburg; and Howard B. Wesley of Murphysboro.

"There are some excellent candidates," said Judge Spomer, of Cairo. "There's a lot of experience and diversity."

Spomer said he was not surprised with the large number of candidates. He said that the applicants have been certified by the administrative office of the Illinois Courts in Springfield. The Illinois State Bar association has conducted a judge's poll of the candidates, and ballots are being sent to circuit judges in the circuit, who will vote on the candidates.

A spokesman from Spomer's office said Monday that ballots were being sent out this week.

"We're hoping that the new judges can start their duties in January," said Spomer.

The two successful candidates must receive a majority vote of the circuit judges. If that is not done on the first ballot, the top four vote-getters will be selected for a runoff, noted Spomer.

The terms of the two new judges will expire June 30, 1995.