Madison County state’s attorney, former deputy, plan to run for judge
Madison County State’s Attorney Tom Gibbons, who announced he wouldn’t seek re-election last week, will run for resident circuit judge — and he’s not alone.
Gibbons, who was appointed to his current position in 2010 and re-elected to a full four-year term in 2012, announced he will run for the seat of retiring Judge Dave Hylla on the Third Circuit, which oversees cases in Bond and Madison counties.
“I have decided to run for this position so I can continue my service to the People of Madison County,” Gibbons wrote on his campaign’s Facebook page, where he asked for supporters’ signatures on a petition that would place his name on the March 17 Democratic primary ballot.
Gibbons’ grandfather was a Circuit Court judge in Quincy. Gibbons said Thursday that he grew up viewing the position as one of honor and respect, especially because that respect must be earned by the people you serve.
“I hope in the nearly 10 years I’ve been State’s Attorney, the people can say I’ve listened to them in finding how to deliver justice,” he said.
Amy Maher, a former Madison County assistant state’s attorney, announced on social media Tuesday evening that she would seek the Republican nomination for the same judicial seat. Maher is an Alton resident and the director of operations for Catholic Charities.
“I have a lot of experience working in the Madison County court system, and I think the court system would benefit from bringing in some people with different perspectives,” she said. “The experience working as both a prosecutor and in the social work fields gives you a broad experience you don’t often find in lawyers, and that’s something that could benefit the court and the county.”
Maher, who was assistant state’s attorney in Madison County for more than 20 years, said she has the experience for the job.
“I’ve seen both sides,” she said. “I’ve seen it as a prosecutor where you focus on criminal law and there’s a lot of emphasis on accountability and punishment, and I’ve also worked for the last six years in social work, where you see people who need help. People who need to be lifted up who have very difficult circumstances that contribute to the things that happen in their lives.”
U.S. Rep. John Shimkus, a 15th District Republican, is serving as Maher’s campaign chairman.
“Amy Maher brings a unique combination of compassion and toughness to this race,” he said in a statement.
Maher and Gibbons are each seeking 500 signatures so they can appear on the primary ballot. The filing period for the circuit judge position is Dec. 16 to 23.
The winners of the Democratic and Republican primaries will face each other in the general election on Nov. 3, 2020.
Circuit judges are elected to six-year terms. The resident circuit judge position also oversees parts of Bond County.
Three candidates are running for Madison County state’s attorney to replace Gibbons: current First Assistant State’s Attorney Crystal Uhe, former Madison County Assistant State’s Attorney Susan Jensen and attorney Tom Haine.
This story was originally published December 5, 2019 at 11:52 AM.