Early voting is underway for General Election
Early voting for the Nov. 3 General Election began last Thursday, Sept. 24, at the Clinton County Clerk’s Office. Voters will decide a wide array of federal, state and local races along with one public question.
Voters in Wheatfield Township will be asked to vote “yes” or “no” on a $1.1 million bond issue for a new fire station.
In the only Federal race, candidates are slated to replace longtime U.S. Senator Dick Durbin who announced his retirement in early 2025. Three candidates, Democrat Juliana Stratton (currently lieutenant governor), Republican Don Tracy and Whitfield Harrington Jr., who represents the American Center Party, are seeking Durbin’s seat.
In the 12th Congressional District, incumbent Republican Mike Bost is challenged by Democrat Julie Fortier.
Five state contests
At the state level, there are five contested races with the governor’s race expected to generate considerable voter turnout. Incumbent Democrat JB Pritzker and running mate Christian Mitchell (who replaces Stratton in this position) face opposition from Republicans Darren Bailey and Aaron B. Del Mar along with independent candidates Collin Corbett and Carolyn Schofield.
Incumbent Attorney General Kwame Raoul, a Democrat, is challenged by Republican Robert W. Fioretti.
For secretary of state, incumbent Democrat Alexi Giannoulias is defending his spot against Republican Diane M. Harris.
Two newcomers, Democrat Margaret Croke and Republican Bryan Drew, are seeking the comptroller’s position. Incumbent Democrat Susan A. Mendoza is not seeking re-election.
Incumbent Treasurer Michael W. Frerichs, a Democrat, is challenged by Republican Max Solomon.
There also are write-in candidates for three of the state contests.
No contested races for Illinois General Assembly in Clinton County
Two incumbents in the Illinois General Assembly are running unopposed for state representative. They are 109th District Republican Charlie Meier and 110th District Republican Blaine Wilhour.
County Board races exist in two districts
There are just two contested races at the county level in County Board Districts 1 and 2.
Republican Dennis Perez is the sole candidate for sheriff. Current Sheriff Dan Travous announced his retirement early last year. Republican incumbents, County Clerk Vicky Albers and Treasurer Denise Trame, are running unopposed.
Zoning board of appeals hears cases on solar facilities
- Details
- Written by: Matt Wilson - Breese Journal Reporter
Bernardo Urdaneta speaks to the Clinton County Zoning Board about a proposed solar facility project between Carlyle and Beckemeyer. The Clinton County Board of Zoning Appeals heard two cases involving proposed solar facility sites in the county on Wednesday, Sept. 23.
The first case was for a site on Highline Road between Carlyle and Beckemeyer. The second site was on the corner of Clinton County Line Road and Highline Road in Trenton.
The zoning Board of Appeals closed the meeting and will issue their decision within 30 days in accordance with state statute.
State legislators have removed zoning citing authority from the county zoning board. What the board had to do was determine if the property meets the state statute that has been passed.
The request for the first case was submitted by Shoal Creek Solar, LLC, and Cultivate Power, LLC, for the operation of a 10 mega watt commercial solar energy facility with an energy storage system on about 46.6 acres. The property is zoned agricultural and is located at 15304 Highline Road in Carlyle. The project is located between Carlyle and Beckemeyer. 
Angie Voss expresses concerns about a solar facility between Beckemeyer and Carlyle. Photos by Matt Wilson Benjamin Jacobi, the attorney for Shoal Creek, LLC, said the project went before the board previously under a prior ordinance and the application was denied. Jacobi said they learned a lot at the prior hearing and since that meeting they have reached out and spoke to every neighbor who would meet with them.
“We are pleased with the progress that we have made,” Jacobi said.
The project is more than 1,000 feet from the closest residence. They took great care to comply with the county’s revised solar ordinance. They provided a checklist to show they would comply with every provision of the ordinance.
Cougars move to 6-0 with 42-0 win over Wood River
- Details
- Written by: Matt Wilson - Breese Journal Reporter
Interception - Central's Koltin Varel returns an interception for a touchdown in the Cougars' 42-0 win over East Alton-Wood River. PHOTO BY MATT WILSON The Central football team moved to 6-0 for the third time in program history following a 42-0 win at East Alton-Wood River on Friday, Sept. 25.
This year's Central team joins the 2016 and 2024 squads to start the season 6-0. Central is 5-0 in the Cahokia Conference Mississippi Division. Wood River is 0-6 overall and 0-5 in the conference.
The Cougars scored 14 points in each of the first three quarters to take a 42-0 lead. The last three minutes of the third quarter and all of the fourth quarter were played with a running clock.
"This is a good feeling to be 6-0," Central coach Brian Short said. "Our guys have really been working hard, but we still have a lot of work to get done."
Central took a 14-0 lead after the opening quarter despite running just two offensive plays.
On its first possession of the game, Wood River went 37 yards in nine plays. The Oilers gained three first downs during the drive. Wood River had a first-and-10 on the Cougar 36-yard line, but lost a combined seven yards on its next three plays and had to punt.
Wood River junior quarterback Emeron Ruot was 2-for-4 passing for 33 yards during the drive. Both of those completions were to sophomore Trenton Homer.
"It would have been nice to get off to a little quicker start defensively," Short said. "They had a couple of wrinkles we had not seen yet. They did a nice job and kind of took the air out of the ball in the first half."
Escaping the grasp - Central's Cooper Martin looks to escape the grasp of an East Alton-Wood River tackler in the Cougars' 42-0 win over the Oilers. PHOTO BY MATT WILSON Central took over on its own 18-yard line. A 22-yard run from senior Login Smith moved the ball to the 40-yard line. On the next play, junior quarterback Owen Kehrer threw a 60-yard touchdown pass to sophomore Cole Huegen to give Central a 7-0 lead with 6:19 left in the first quarter.
On its second drive, Wood River had a 2nd-and-14 from its own 43-yard line. Central junior Koltin Varel stepped in front of a Ruot pass for an interception and returned it into the end zone to give the Cougars a 14-0 lead with two minutes left in the opening quarter.
Central took that lead into the second quarter.
The Cougars started their first possession of the second quarter on the Oiler 26-yard line. Kehrer completed an 11-yard pass to sophomore Koltin Schroeder to bring the ball to the 15-yard line. On the next play, Kehrer threw a 15-yard touchdown pass to senior Alex Athmer to push the Cougar lead to 21-0.
Central's second possession of the second quarter was an 11-play, 52-yard drive that resulted in a 20-yard touchdown run from Smith.
On the run - Login Smith had 52 rushing yards and one touchdown in the Central football team's 42-0 win over East Alton-Wood River. PHOTO BY MATT WILSON Kehrer was 3-for-3 passing for 16 yards during the drive. Smith had 30 rushing yards.
Wood River's next possession resulted in a fumble that was recovered by Central sophomore Wyatt Korte. The Cougars were unable to convert on the turnover and took a 28-0 lead into halftime.
Central needed just two plays to reach the end zone to open the second half. Starting at their own 39-yard line, Kehrer completed a 58-yard pass to Huegen to bring the ball to the Oiler 3-yard line. Junior Emmanuel Velazquez had a 3-yard touchdown run on the next play to push Central's lead to 35-0.
On its third possession of the third quarter, Central drove 52 yards in three plays and scored on a 35-yard touchdown run from sophomore Cooper Martin to take a 42-0 lead.
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