SOMEONE IS LISTENING IN ALEXANDER COUNTY

Allegations of misconduct in the Alexander County, Ill., March primary election surprised few followers of Alexander County elections over the years. The county, after all, has had more than its share of voting irregularities and allegations of irregularities through the years, so many that suspicions are raised practically every time voters go to the polls.

What is surprising is that the latest allegations of wrongdoings led to the indictment of County Clerk Louis Maze. As county clerk, Maze is the chief election official in Alexander County and is responsible for conducting all elections and tallying the votes.

Nevertheless, an Alexander County grand jury that spent two months investigating the March primary election believes Maze violated laws in conducting the primary. Last month, Illinois Attorney General Jim Ryan subsequently handed down a 21-count indictment against Maze that alleges three counts of official misconduct, six counts of forgery and solicitation to commit forgery, and 12 counts of violating the state election code.

Allegations were presented to the grand jury after Circuit Clerk Susan C. Hileman, who was running for a fifth term in the Democratic primary against Sharon McGinness, contested her 210-vote loss in court, claiming voting irregularities in Maze's office. A judge eventually ruled that another election should be held. That decision is on appeal.

The indictment alleges that Maze encouraged another person to forge five absentee ballots and ballot applications. He is accused of accepting those forged ballots and ballot applications and mixing them with other ballots.

The attorney general also has asked in a civil action that the clerk be removed from office. Maze posted a $10,000 bond and continues to hold the office pending outcome of the civil action.

The courts, of course, will decide whether Maze violated any laws. But it is encouraging to see -- in view of past irregularities that have taken place in Alexander County through the years and allegations of irregularities that have been ignored -- that someone has been paying attention.