Here’s the BND Vote Guide for Monroe County candidates

Welcome to the Belleville News-Democrat’s Voter Guide for Monroe County races in the Nov. 8 election in Illinois.

The News-Democrat has contacted the candidates running for assessor and county commissioner in contested races and asked them to complete a candidate questionnaire.

While this article has information about Monroe County, you can go to this page at bnd.com to get links to read about candidates running for governor, Congress and seats in other counties.

Monroe County Assessor

NAME: SONJA MADLINGER

Political party: Democrat

Age as of Nov. 8, 2022: 65

Campaign website or social media page: Facebook: Vote for Sonja Madlinger for Monroe County Illinois Assessor

Office seeking: Monroe County Assessor

Are you an incumbent? No

Have you run for elected office before? (Please list previous offices sought) No

Occupation: I am an experienced licensed real estate broker. I worked for AT&T for years mainly managing large projects with strict deadlines.

Education: Bachelor of science degree from SIU Carbondale

Please list highlights of your civic involvement: Serving as an election judge on election day. Serving as a precinct committee person.

Who are your top three campaign contributors? Monroe County Democrats, Laborer’s Local 196, I.U.O.E.

Why are you running? 2022 is a very important election in Monroe County. I have been concerned for years with late assessments, later tax bills and delayed collection of county funding. This delayed funding leads directly to the necessity for county and school board borrowing and we are paying these costs! Now is the time for a fair, responsive, ethical assessment office! The current Monroe County Assessor’s real estate tax assessment is the same as his assessment was in 2012. Vote for a leader who will not give herself tax breaks while raising your assessment!

What is the top issue in your race, and how would you address it? In Monroe County our 2017 & 2018 taxes were both due in 2019 and this is not acceptable! Here we are in an election year and the current Monroe County Assessor is opposed and we have just received our bill which is due in November and December. Vote for “on time” assessments and “on time” billing and collection of your taxes!

Why should people vote for you? I will work for all the taxpayers in Monroe County to get the assessments out early in order to get the billing out earlier. Accountability, equity and transparency will be watchwords for me when elected! With your support I can win this election!

NAME: CARL D. WUERTZ

Political party: Republican

Age as of Nov. 8, 2022: 58

Campaign website or social media page: Don’t have one

Office seeking: Supervisor of Assessments

Are you an incumbent? Yes

Have you run for elected office before? (Please list previous offices sought) No

Occupation: Supervisor of Assessments

Education: Graduated from Valmeyer High School; Certified Illinois assessing officer

Please list highlights of your civic involvement: Certified IL Assessing Officers, The County Assessment Officers Association, Maeystown Civic Association, & Valmeyer FFA Alumni. Also help Valmeyer Lions.

Who are your top three campaign contributors? Me, myself and I

Why are you running? Because I enjoy the work that I have done for more than 21 years.

What is the top issue in your race, and how would you address it? Fair and equitable assessments.

Why should people vote for you? I am the most qualified and experienced candidate.

Did not reply

Patrick Kelly, the Democratic candidate for Monroe County commissioner, and Vicki Koerber, the Republican candidate for Monroe County commissioner, did not respond to the Belleville News-Democrat questionnaire.

This story was originally published September 30, 2022 at 5:30 AM.