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 The state’s attorney is a key leader in legal
matters for the county. The person in that position influences the
course of action in criminal cases; whether it is a violent crime,
someone that passes bad checks, youth caught drinking, a drug
dealer, drunk driver or a delinquent property owner that needs to
remove trash.
He’s also the chief council for county officials and
law enforcement. He helps set public policy by advising officials,
creating or reviewing legal documents.
It takes someone with broad knowledge of the law and
experience to effectively lead that office. It takes someone that
can balance where the county’s limited legal resources should be
placed.
Current state’s attorney, Tim Huyett, has held the
position seven years by election, and two years prior by
appointment. He also prosecuted prior to, and between periods that
he has served as Logan County state’s attorney. His career focus has
been on prosecutions.
Some say that he is doing a great job. Others
question whether he has done the job to satisfaction.
It is now a question if his opponent, Michael
McIntosh, has the experience necessary.
McIntosh has been a marine, social worker; then for
the Illinois State Police, a trooper, a lieutenant supervising an
investigations unit, and for the past 17 years, an attorney.
Working through the criminal justice system, the
work he did as a trooper and in investigations led to persons being
sent to jail.
As an attorney for the ISP he has handled cases, and
has drafted legislation and policies that are in use statewide.
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He also gained supervisory experience in his roles as an
investigator and as an attorney. [See more specifics from his
Lincoln Day address, “McIntosh Comments”]
One of Huyett’s ads said that McIntosh had zero jury trial
experience.
McIntosh began his law career interning in the Rock Island County
State’s Attorney Office where he prosecuted a number of cases under
three different Assistant State's Attorneys that included three
different felony cases, and second chair in a major juvenile case.
LDN contacted one of his supervisors, Rock Island County Assistant
State's Attorney, Dave Osborn.
Osborn said that under his supervision McIntosh prosecuted a variety
of misdemeanor and traffic violations. McIntosh was also second
chair on jury trial prosecution.
“If you are working that case you are prosecuting it,” Osborn said.
When asked if he thought McIntosh could handle the job of States
Attorney, Osborn said, “I have no doubt what so ever that he could
do a wonderful job. As an intern, as a state trooper working through
law school, he had lots of experience that would be a great
benefit,” The work that Michael has done offers great perspective
and experience in prosecution, he said.
[Jan Youngquist]
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