UNION COUNTY VOTERS TO DECIDE ON CREATING PUBLIC BUILDING COMMISSION IN REFERENDUM

JONESBORO, Ill. -- Union County voters will decide in November whether to add a new building commission in the county.

Voters are being asked to decide if a public building commission should be created and organized to exercise the powers and authority prescribed by the Public Building Commission Act.

The primary function of the new commission would be to determine what steps should be taken regarding Union County's jail and courthouse facility.

The 68-year-old jail was closed last week because the jail couldn't meet state standards, and an agreement was reached to house prisoners in Jackson County Jail at Murphysboro, at a cost of $35 per day per inmate.

If approved, the new commission would look into the feasibility of building a new jail.

The referendum appears on the Union County ballot for the Nov. 8 election.

Only two local races are on the ballot:

A new sheriff will be elected. Harlen Coffman of Jonesboro defeated incumbent Robin A. Dillon of Anna in the Democratic primary and will face Republican Roy E. Walker of Dongola on Nov. 8.

In the race for one position on the Union County Board of Commissioners, Republican Larry A. Wheaton faces Democrat incumbent Wayne "Doc" Manus.

Other local races are unopposed.

Union County is divided into two parts for state legislators races. Voters in the western two third of the county, using white ballots, will vote in the 115th representative district where incumbent Democrat Gerald Hawkins faces Republican Mike Bost. Voters in the eastern third of the county, using the red ballots, will vote in the 118th District where incumbent Democrat David Phelps is challenged by Republican Edward K. Downy.

All Union County voters will cast ballots in the 12th Congressional District, where Incumbent Democratic Rep. Jerry F. Costello, faces Republican Jan Morris.

Voters using the red ballots will cast ballots in two wards in Dongola and one ward each at Mill Creek, Lick Creek, Stokes and one ward at Saratoga. Voters in the western district will cast ballots at six wards in Anna, two wards each in Jonsboro, Cobden and Union, and one ward each at Alto Pass, Balcom and Saratoga.

County Sheriff

Democrat

Harlan Coffman

Republican

Roy E. Walker

County Commissioner Position A

Democrat

Wayne "Doc" Manus, Anna,

Republican

Larry A. Wheaton

118th State House (red ballot)

Democrat

Incumbent David Phelps, Eldorado.

Republican

Edward K. Downey, Golconda.

115th District (white ballot)

Democrat

Incumbent Gerald Hawkins

Republican

Mike Bost

12th Congressional District

Democrat

Jerry F. Costello

Republican

Jan Morris