LOCAL RACES AND ISSUES FACE VOTERS IN DOWNSTATE ILLINOIS

CAIRO, Ill. -- Two local races, a state representative race and an issue concerning funding to install a 911 emergency telephone systems are attracting voter interest in Alexander County.

Incumbent circuit clerk Susan C. Hileman, a Democrat, has served 12 years and will seek her fourth term when she faces Republican Teresa S. Martin next week.

Hileman, a member of the National Association of County Clerks and the Illinois Association of Circuit Clerks, defeated Jack Sneed, in the primary.

Martin, a lifelong resident of Cairo, had worked in the circuit clerk's office, from 1975 to 1983, under circuit clerk Ford Barkett.

In the only other county race, Democrat incumbent commissioner Rollie S. Matlock of McClure faces Republican Mike Caldwell of Thebes.

Democrat Jeffrey Farris of Olive Branch is unopposed for his second term as state's attorney, and incumbent Democrat David Barkett has no opponent for the coroner's position.

The state race for the 118th House District seat has drawn much attention.

Jack Hill, who recently retired as president of Shawnee Community College, ending a 37-year career in public education, is the Republican challenger against Democratic incumbent state Rep. David Phelps of Eldorado.

Phelps, 48, has represented the 118th House District since 1985. He will run for a seventh term.

Alexander County voters will also vote in the 12th U.S. Congressional District. Candidates are Democratic Rep. Jerry F. Costello, Republican Shapley R. Hunter and Libertarian Geoffrey S. Nathan.

The county's two local issues will have voters decide on a surcharge of $3 a month per network connection for telephone or telecommunications charges to install a 911 emergency telephone system, and McClure-East Cape Girardeau residents will decide on a maximum allowable tax rate for the McClure-East Cape Fire Protection District. The proposal would increase the value of all taxable property as assessed by the Department of Revenue from 0.30 to 0.40 percent.

In Union, Alexander and Pulaski counties, there are only five local races.

In the U.S. Senate race, six candidates are vying for the vacant position of retired Sen. Paul Simon. They are Democrat Richard J. Durbin, Republican Al Salvi, Libertarian Robin J. Miller, Reform Party Steven H. Perry, Natural Law Party James E. Davis and U.S. Taxpayers Party Chad Koppie.

In contested Pulaski County races, Democrat Gene Koen faces Republican Harold D. Hargan for county commissioner, and Democrat Joe Kerr faces Republican Randy George for circuit clerk.

Patrick Duffy is unopposed in the state's attorney's race in Pulaski County. Duffy initially was appointed in April 1991, then was elected to a full term in 1992. Another unopposed candidate in Pulaski County is Republican Bill Atherton for coroner.

Pulaski County voters will vote in the U.S. Congressional race between incumbent Democrat Glenn Poshard and Republican Brent Winters. Other congressional candidates include James R. Lacher, Libertarian, and Patricia Rike, Natural Law candidates.

In Union County, only one local race is on the ballot -- county commission, where the candidates are Democrat Jimmy L. Watkins, Republican Jimmy F. Wilson and Independent Darryl Harvell.

Unopposed candidates include Democrat Lorraine Moreland for circuit clerk, Democrat Christopher K. Wells for state's attorney and Democrat Darryl W. Rendleman for coroner.

Some Union County voters will vote in the 115th District race for state representative where Democrat John Rendleman of Carbondale faces incumbent Republican Mike Bost of Murphysboro. Another state race in portions of some counties is for the 58th Senate seat, where incumbent Republican David Luechtefeld faces Democratic Barb Brown of Chester. Luechtefeld was appointed as state senator from the 58th District last year when Ralph Dunn of DuQuoin retired.