Early Voter Dates and Times

PUBLIC NOTICE

EARLY VOTING DATES

Public Notice is hereby given that Early Voting in Gallatin County will be conducted on the following dates and location prior to the MARCH 20^TH, 2012 Illinois Primary Election.

DATES                                                                 LOCATION                                                       HOURS                               

Mon. February 27^th thru Fri., March 2^nd         Gallatin County Clerk’s Office                        8 a.m. – 4 p.m.

                                                                                Gallatin County Courthouse

                                                                                484 North Lincoln Blvd. West

                                                                                Shawneetown Illinois

Mon. March 5^th thru Fri. March 9^th                 Gallatin County Clerk’s Office                        8 a.m. – 4 p.m.

                                                                                Gallatin County Courthouse

                                                                                484 North Lincoln Blvd. West

                                                                                Shawneetown Illinois

Mon. March 12^th thru Thurs. March 15^th       Gallatin County Clerk’s Office                        8 a.m. – 4 p.m.

                                                                                Gallatin County Courthouse

                                                                                484 North Lincoln Blvd. West

                                                                                Shawneetown Illinois

REQUIREMENTS FOR EARLY VOTERS: An Early Voter must present a government issued photo I.D. (State of Illinois Drivers License or State I.D. card) and must be a registered voter in the election jurisdiction.

FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION CONTACT:

BETH WARGEL

Gallatin County Clerk

PO Box 550

Shawneetown IL 62984

(618) 269-3025

Shimkus Endorsed

Turner Guilty of James Murder

An Eldorado man was sentenced to more than 20 years in prison Wednesday after pleading guilty to charges of predatory criminal sexual assault of a 7-year-old family member and second-degree murder, according to Saline County State's Attorney Michael Henshaw.

Richard Turner II, 34, of Eldorado, first pleaded guilty to the sex crime and was sentenced to 22 years in prison. He must serve at least 85 percent of the sentence and must register as a sex offender for life,

The crime occurred between September 2000 and September 2002, according to a news release from Henshaw.

Turner on Wednesday afternoon pleaded guilty to second-degree murder in the June 2009 death of 4-year-old Jessika James of Eldorado. He received a sentence of 20 years in prison, which will run concurrently with the sex-crime sentence.

James died at 4:40 p.m. Monday, June 22, 2009, in Children's Hospital in St. Louis. Turner was accused of causing head injuries to James, who died two days after being transferred by emergency flight to the St. Louis hospital.

A medical examiner with the city of St. Louis medical examiner's office ruled James' death as a homicide from blunt trauma at the hands of another, according to Saline County court records.

Authorities arrested Turner in early April 2010 at the Saline County Courthouse after he was involved in an unrelated civil hearing.

The pleas came about Wednesday morning with the jury in the courtroom and ready to hear the sex-crime case.

Henshaw and Assistant State's Attorney Eva Walker prosecuted. Attorney Morgan Scroggins represented Turner. Illinois State Police Special Agent Gwen Basinger was lead investigator in both cases.

Shimkus Sends Valentines

SHIMKUS SENDS THOUSANDS OF VALENTINES TO HEROES

Collinsville, Illinois...For the fifth straight year, Congressman John Shimkus (R, Illinois-19) asked his constituents to submit valentines for the men and women, past and present, of our nation's armed forces.  And for the fifth straight year, an overwhelming response was the result.

“I am again humbled by the reaction to this Valentines for Heroes project,” Shimkus said.  “We estimate more than 6,000 valentines were collected by my offices from the generous people of our region – many even from patriotic citizens outside the 19th Congressional District who wanted to share their support.”

Added Shimkus, “Contributions came from school children, church groups, families, and individuals.”

The valentines have been distributed to active duty personnel at Scott Air Force Base, as well as those recovering from injuries and illnesses at the new Walter Reed National Military Medical Center in Bethesda, Maryland.  Veterans facilities receiving valentines included the Marion VA Medical Center, Illiana VA Medical Center in Danville, St. Louis VA Medical Center John Cochran Division and Jefferson Barracks Division, Mt. Vernon VA Clinic, Springfield VA Clinic, Effingham VA Clinic, Illinois Veterans Home in Quincy, and Illinois Veterans Home in Anna.