Knox County candidates debate recruitment, race, voting security and their experience

GALESBURG — Candidates in the contested races for Knox County sheriff, clerk, treasurer and ninth judicial circuit court judge gathered for a debate Tuesday evening in the Galesburg Public Library ahead of the Nov. 8 general election.

The event drew at least 65 people in attendance and candidates answered a series of four questions that were not made available to them before the debate.

Besides presenting their views on the Illinois Safety, Accountability, Fairness and Equity-Today (SAFE-T) Act, the candidates for Knox County Sheriff touched on recruitment and the candidates for circuit court judge answered how they would ensure minorities would not serve longer sentences than white people charged with similar offenses.

More:Knox County sheriff, judicial candidates weigh in on SAFE-T Act at forum

Candidates in other races touched on election security, and made cases either for change or their experience.

The event was put on by Galesburg’s chapter of the NAACP in collaboration with United Against Hate, PFLAG and the Galesburg Public Library. It was broadcasted by WGIL and The Register-Mail’s editor Tom Martin moderated the questions.

Sheriff candidates explain their approach to recruitment

In the race for Knox County Sheriff, Republican candidate Jack Harlan faces Democratic candidate James Robertson. The current Knox County Sheriff, David Clague, is not running for reelection.

When asked how, as Knox County Sheriff, he would recruit, train and maintain a diverse staff, Harlan said:

“I don't think that recruiting diversity is the problem right now, trying to get somebody to come and be law enforcement. The problem is actually letting kids know that law enforcement is a reputable career. Somebody who wants to serve and protect their community. That's the most important. We have to reach out to all the communities, reach out to the men of honor, of distinction, reach out to these guys and say, 'Hey look. This is actually a good thing to do, be in law enforcement. You can make a difference in your community.' ”

When asked how, as Knox County Sheriff,  he would recruit, train and maintain a diverse staff, Robertson answered:

“I think that we need to work on recruiting and instead of expecting, like in the old days where everybody came to us, we need to go to everybody else because they're not knocking down the door in law enforcement right now to be police officers. So we have to go out and have time, as sheriff outside of your administrative duties, to actually go to these people and let them know that they are wanted, let them know that you want them, you want good quality candidates to meet the qualifications and make an effort to show you're interested in them. As far as the diverse aspect, you can go to outreach programs, you can go to colleges, different events throughout the community, even outside your community, colleges and universities in other areas, even as far as Chicago."

Candidates for circuit court judge discuss race regarding sentencing

In the race for the ninth judicial circuit court judge of Knox County, Republican candidate Ken Hogan faces Democratic candidate David M. Hansen

When asked what you can do, as a judge, to make sure that minorities do not serve longer sentences than whites convicted of similar offenses, Hogan had this to say:

“We have to look at individuals. You have to ask yourself, if this were a white person, would they be subject to this punishment. Sure, you have to ask that question because this country does have a history of discrimination in a variety of places including the legal system. So that has to be something in your mind. But you have to, again, look at the individuals that are in individual circumstances and not make a decision based on what ethnic group they belong to what sexual orientation they may have, what religion they have.Those things are covered by the constitution and they certainly shouldn't play a role in a judicial decision.”

When asked what you can do, as a judge, to make sure that minorities do not serve longer sentences than whites convicted of similar offenses, Hansen had this to say:

“The biggest thing you need to do is you just need to follow the law, apply it on case by case basis, treat every single person as an individual, make sure you are applying the law evenly to people in similar situations, if you've got a certain standard in your courtroom where, for this type of offense and they've got this kind of history, this is the type of sentence I'm going to do, I'm going to hand down, then you need to apply that sort of standard to everybody across the board, regardless of their race. So I think it's some self-awareness, you have to be aware of, keep track of the way you've handled other cases in the past, and make sure that you are treating everybody evenly when they come to that courtroom when you are handing down sentences.”

More:Weatherman Sorenson, attorney King face off to join US Congress

Clerk and recorder candidates touch on election accessibility, security

In the race for Knox County clerk and recorder, incumbent and Republican candidate Scott G. Erickson faces challenger and Democratic candidate Tracy Thierry-Robertson.

When asked what can be done to make voting more accessible to residents, and how do ballots-by-mail figure into that, Erickson had this to say:

“Anyone that wants to vote and has that desire to vote, we want to make sure that they get that opportunity to vote. So, Illinois state law has expanded to allow for early voting, or absentee voting. Now we have the permanent vote by mail lists that are available. And will allow voters, if they want to, be able to sign up for a list on permanent basis so they can get a ballot sent to them for every election that they want. So it makes it a lot easier for anyone that has that desire to do that, to vote, they've got the ability to do that. We have open office hours on Saturdays, we work hard to be able to get voters in. We have the ability to mail those ballots on a regular basis to voters at home, so they're able to get that. So if you don't vote, and you wanted to vote, there's no reason why you can't.”

When asked what can be done to make voting more accessible to residents, and how do ballots-by-mail figure into that, Thierry-Robertson had this to say:

“I'm at a disadvantage due to the fact that I'm not currently in the office so, I would, personally, have souls to the polls, which is a great turnout in the past year, so that Sunday is also a voting day for people to be able to vote. Extended hours if necessary and polling by mail, if that's an option, then all options should be exercised to make sure it's as easy as possible and as safe as possible for people to vote and not just feel like they are disenfranchised from the system of voting.”

When asked what you, as chief election officer of knox county, can do to assure voters that elections in knox county can be trusted, Erickson had this to say:

“I can guarantee you that the elections that we run in Knox County are run safe, secure and smooth. We want to make sure that voters know that we take their voting rights very very seriously. We want to make sure that those voters that go to the polls know that that ballot they are casting either on paper or on touch screen gets brought back to our office and processed properly. We take very good pride in being able to know this information is processed and done right. And having that assurance that people know, that trust the people that are running these elections. I am completely blessed to have an amazing team to work with and I trust them, every one of them, lock stock and barrel, that we are going to do everything in their power to make sure those elections are run smooth and safely.”

When asked what you, as chief election officer of knox county, can do to assure voters that elections in knox county can be trusted, Thierry-Robertson had this to say:

“I guarantee you that there will only be the proper staffing for election officers. With counting the votes they will be secure and there will be no misnames on the ballots and everything will be above board. That will be the ultimate job. To make sure that everything, that everybody is counted properly and everyone has a chance to vote and it will be a secure election.”

Treasurer candidates make case for change, or experience

In the race for Knox County treasurer, incumbent and Democratic candidate Robin E. Davis faces challenger and Republican candidate Janet Windish.

When asked why voters should elect her over the current treasurer, Windish had this to say:

“I think now is the time for change. If it's broke, let's fix it. I feel like I can come in there and start fresh and I know I have a lot to learn, I'm a quick study, but I feel that now is a big time for change and Knox County needs to see that.”

When asked why voters should keep her as county treasurer, Davis had this to say:

“I don't think it is broke so I don't think it needs fixed. I've implemented zero-based budgeting, the budget control which I've mentioned previously. I've created more ways to pay real estate taxes including a drive-up drop box. I changed the delinquent date from being a 4 o' clock that night of due date to the next morning at 8:30, the same as if you had postmarked your tax bill. We've updated our financial software to provide more efficient and transparent financial records that every department and county board member can access. They can look at bills, they can look at financial status at any point in time. (...) I'm offering the first mobile application. I know the job and I know it well. I think you deserve to have an experienced, educated treasurer.”

This article originally appeared on Galesburg Register-Mail: Knox County candidates debate minority sentencing, voter access