Tom Shrier

Shelly Hranka

TAZEWELL COUNTY

New auditor will see duties, salary reduced

Republican Shelly Hranka and Democratic Tom Shrier are running in the Nov. 8 election to replace Vicki Grashoff, who is retiring after almost 20 years as Tazewell County auditor.

Whoever wins will have certain duties to perform, however, the duties have been curtailed. In addition to doing what is prescribed by law — reviewing bills before they’re paid — the new auditor will no longer prepare the county budget. With Grashoff’s retirement, the Tazewell County Board has decided to shift budgetary responsibilities to their traditional home: the office of the county administrator.

And the reduction in responsibility comes with a reduction in salary. The County Board has voted to cut the auditor’s yearly pay, from $70,000 to $50,000.

Despite the pay cut, the candidates are interested in the position.

Shrier, an East Peoria resident, is the chief financial officer of a Pekin-based seasonings and spice company. The 54-year-old was the financial secretary for the United Auto Workers local that was based at the former Mitsubishi Motors plant in Normal. Shrier also has the endorsement of Grashoff, a fellow Democrat.

Hranka is president of a Groveland-based printing and apparel company. She also has been a real-estate agent and a mortgage broker.

Although the candidates are running with political-party labels, each has said the position is nonpartisan. Grashoff’s work received praise from County Board members of both parties.

Third Circuit appellate judge up for retention

Voters in Tazewell County — as well as a host of other nearby counties to the north and west — will vote whether to retain Third District Appellate Court Judge Vicki Wright.

Wright was elected to the appellate court in November 2006. She is a 1979 graduate of Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois, and received her Juris Doctorate from Loyola University, Chicago, in 1982.

Wright conducted criminal appeals for the Appellate Service Commission from 1982-1984, appearing exclusively before the Third District Appellate Court in Ottawa. In 1984, Wright joined the staff of the Whiteside County State’s Attorney, in Morrison, where she served as a criminal prosecutor for seven years. In 1991, Wright was appointed as an associate circuit judge for the Fourteenth Judicial Circuit serving Rock Island, Henry, Mercer, and Whiteside counties and held that position for 15 years until her return to the appellate court as a newly elected justice.

The Illinois Bar Association (ISBA) advisory poll has not recommended her for retention based upon a 62.77 requirement of office score. Polls are generated from ballots sent to bar association members within the circuit or district where each judge is seated and do not represent the official opinion of the bar association. Wright did score 88.24 in integrity, 68.09 in impartiality, 63.83 in legal ability, 81.08 in temperament, 87.91 in court management, 93.33 in health and 85.87 in sensitivity.

Despite not meeting the score of 65 needed in “meets requirements of office” to automatically receive bar advisory poll recommendation, the ISBA Committee for Judicial Evaluations Outside of Cook County does recommend Wright for retention as part of a judicial evaluation.

Wright is considered to have good legal knowledge and is always prepared for oral argument when litigants appear before her.

Evaluations should be considered the opinion of the bar association according to an explanation of the poll and evaluation processes on the bar association’s website, www.isba.org.

MORTON

Halloween activities offered at library

Children are invited to celebrate Halloween at the Morton Public Library, 315 W Pershing St., Oct. 28. From 3:30-6 p.m., trick-or-treat at the library will be part of the Fourth Annual Trick or Treat Main Street, hosted by the Morton Chamber of Commerce. Then, “Not So Spooky Stories” will be read to youngsters at 5:15 p.m.

These and other library programs are funded with support from the Morton Community Foundation. The foundation’s annual fundraiser, Boots & Bling, will take place on Nov. 5. As part of the fundraiser, the public can bid now through an online Virtual Silent Auction until 5:30 p.m. Oct. 29. Questions? Call (309) 263-2200.

–Tazewell County News Briefs–