" For a good laugh, check out Todd's website. Toddy plans on curing all of our ills, he's even going to create more jobs in Coles county. LOL!

It's too bad that he took the pictures off his website. Now you can't see the types of riff raft and low life's this event attracted.

Now if old Toddy had only been involved with the FutureGen project...

Oh wait, he was too busy defending all the thieves, rapists, arsonists and other assorted criminals and lowlifes in Coles county.

OK, 85CHS grad, let's hear it, tell us all about Toddy being the second coming....

Here it comes, Rotty.... "

" Just what are the positions of Todd Reardon? This isn't about politics. It's about competency and experience. It's about a track record showcasing an ability to fight criminal activity through the courts. As far I can tell, Todd Reardon has done nothing to warrant a shot at the state's attorney job. So enlighten me. "

" LOL @ HP!
HP is right on target with his post.

Good post, HeinekenMan!

Toddy & the shabby sign warriors can talk the talk, but can they really walk the walk?

So far, from what most of us have seen, the answer is still a resounding NO. "

" I think the only thing Mr Reardon has done about criminal activity in Coles county is defend those who have committed crimes against the law abiding citizens of this area. Not that those who have done so don't deserve representation, but why in the world would any rational thinking person think that would make him a good candidate for the position of states attorney?

Reardon has found a niche, and that is defending the dregs and lowlife criminals of our community, and has not done one thing that would qualify him for the position other than holding a law license.

All of those embarrassing, hideously ugly and cheap signs do not translate into qualifications.

Given the type of clientele he caters to, and the likelihood that they don't pay very well, I suspect he's really just looking for steady paycheck. "

" LOL @ HP!
Great post!

Also, great post as well, HeinekenMan!

To begin with, lawyers in general are thought of about as much as how alot of us already feel about our current local & federal government.

They just don't rate very high at all.

Representation is something we all may need help with at some points in our lives, but as EB said, with this guy's niche as it currently stands, how can we as voters see fit in putting someone into office who would be expected to turn around, do a complete 360, & put away those who he now regularly defends.

Is super lawyer in our midst?
According to the shabby sign selectees he is.

Does the majority of the public think so?
Guess we'll have to wait until election day to find that out.

Personally, I don't think so. "

" Let's take a look at Todd's platform, shall we?

Read his ideas and tell me this man should be our states attorney.

Comments in parentheses are mine.

As a Candidate for Coles County States Attorney, my objectives include:

Using local labor and the strict enforcement of prevailing wages for all county contracts and bid projects.
BENEFITS: The creation of better paying jobs for Coles County.

(so now the states attorneys office will take over letting bids, and overseeing all contracts for the county?)

Contracting with local companies to print all forms and stationary and providing other county needs.
BENEFITS: The ability to keep jobs and taxpayer money in Coles County.

(so now the states attorneys office will oversee all purchasing too?)


Better and expanded funding of public transportation to reduce drunk driving by a $5.00 to $10.00 charge on all moving violations.
BENEFITS: The safety of Coles County citizens.

(the public transportation we have now is underused)

Committed to attracting and retaining better jobs.
BENEFITS: The reduction of crime, and savings of taxpayer dollars.

(and he's going to add job recruitment to the duties of the states attorney?)

Creation/expansion of after-school programs funded by a portion of fines imposed on convictions.
BENEFITS: To reduce juvenile delinquency, while saving taxpayer dollars.

(most of the after school programs we have now are not utilized and draw but a few kids, and where's the money going to come from?)



I will serve the citizens and taxpayers of Coles County by:

Establishing a regularly scheduled open-door policy so that all citizens have routine access to the States Attorney of Coles County.
BENEFITS: Provides taxpayers access to what they support.

(That's funny, he doesn't even return phone calls now)

Reducing court and jail housing costs.
BENEFITS: Reduces taxpayer costs.

(Is he going to take over the sheriff's duties and run the jail too?)

I will serve justice as Coles County States Attorney, not Just us by:

Providing full disclosure and accountability for all expenditures in the States Attorneys office.
BENEFITS: Displays credibility of, and respect for the legal system.

(this is a matter of public record now)

Holding government and law-enforcement officials accountable to constitutional mandates.
BENEFITS: Provides credibility of and respect for the legal system.

(is he going to oversee all county offices as well as the sheriff's office?)

Home confinement for non-violent offenses.
BENEFITS: Saves taxpayer dollars for incarceration costs, while enabling the offender to remain employed and productive.

(this one has to go against the grain of his number one supporter on this site)

Supporting intervention programs for first-time non-violent offenders.
BENEFITS: Reduces court and taxpayer costs, and avoids the stigma of a criminal record (a second chance).

(Like most of the rest of his ideas, sort of sort of a wishy washy proposal)

Supporting the creation of drug court programs to address the problems of addiction through interdiction and treatment, rather than incarceration.
BENEFITS: The reduction of expenditure and taxpayer dollars.

(evidently Todd isn't aware that there is already a drug court program in place)

Recognizing the victims right to say that restitution was made in non-violent crimes. That is, victims satisfaction should define states satisfaction in many non-violent offenses.
BENEFITS: The savings of court time and court/taxpayer costs, and the avoidance of the stigma of a criminal record (a second chance for typically young offenders).

(yeah right, Todd, and this isn't happening now, huh?)

Most of this pure hogwash and typical political pandering, but if it were to happen, what would it do to our taxes, and how many people would he have to add to that office to handle all of these additional tasks?

I really have to question his understanding of how county government works too.

This is worse that his silly idea of planting a garden on the square to feed the inmates. LOL!

It sounds like Todd wants to be the Tsar of Cole's county, not the states attorney, but I don't think all of those other officials would be willing to let him take over their offices and duties too)

So there you have it folks, those are the ideas of the Green party candidate, Mr Reardon, taken straight from his website.

If this is what you want, then by all means vote for this guy. "

" These are Steve Fergusons problems...............

Trials with no evidence... Acquitals = waste of taxpayers money. Hence the Nancy Campbell,Jason Abernathy,and Jonathan Garza cases!... Not to mention trying to send innocent people to prison!

Asst. State's Atty (Baba)taking drugs from evidence locker... No Charges Filed?
Why did it take almost 3 years for the public to become aware of such corruption? Do we taxpayers pay their wages? Why was there no excuse given to us taxpayers for the firing of Asst SA Longwell? Suspicious?

Stab a person .. get probation...Matthew A. Bagnall ?

Kill someone..8 years...Depew?...

Inconsistent sentencing... How can 2 people charged with same crime, have such a gap in sentencing? Such as these sentences for the same crime.
A Charleston man ( Ronald Cadwallder) was sentenced to a total of 20 years in prison when he pleaded guilty to trying to make meth,... yet Donald Howell was admitted to Coles Countys drug court program. The program is "sometimes" an alternative to prison time or probation for people who admit to their charges and agree to weekly court appearances, regular drug testing and other monitoring and requirements." ...20 years vs Drug Court? Not justice in my eyes!

Making meth isn't enough to get a prison sentence in Coles County? And what determines the "sometimes" they get drug court? Prior convictions? Not in the Howell case! He also had priors. Inconsistent sentencing allows to much "grey area" for Prejudice, bias, bribes, favors, etc...People need to open their eyes and look at what is really going on up at that courthouse.
Corruption,Corruption,Corruption!!! "

This Ferguson Administration has got to go...

Time For A Change!!!
Please vote Todd Reardon for Coles County State's Atty... A candidate who stands for ..."And Justice for All!" "

" I would much rather look at Mr. Reardon's 'shabby' signs, than to watch our courthouse and their shabby practices! "

" Someone has to defend the lowlifes. I would hate to be accused of committing a crime when I didn't and not have someone step up to defend me. "

" It is time for some new approaches in Coles County. This good ole boy system has to come to an end. I am proud to have been able to serve my country, and I am sure Todd will proudly serve Coles County. 85CHSGrad, you are right on the money my friend.
Time 4 a change! "

" lefty wrote
" Someone has to defend the lowlifes. I would hate to be accused of committing a crime when I didn't and not have someone step up to defend me. "

So does this mean you're a lowlife, lefty?

Todd for SA, what a joke "

" Harry Potter wrote on Jul 20, 2008 9:23 AM:

"Let's take a look at Todd's platform, shall we?"

.......

That's it in a nutshell!
Good post, HP!

.......

Where is the Caped Crusader?

Oh yeah, he's looking for a STEADY paycheck!
LOL! "

" I don't know if it's just me or what, but it seems like the only place I see his signs are houses where I would suspect those people would probably have issues with the law (yes, stereotypes are bad, sue me), but seriously, why is this? I'm kind of scared of this man, I'm thinking his reign would mean all the criminals would be allowed to run the county. Those "jobs" he wants to create would be performed from the cells in the jail house. "

" mindboggle wrote:

Todd for SA, what a joke " I agree.

After reading Mr. Reardon's platform, I am even more convinced that he hasn't got a clue as to how to run that office.

It appears that he can't come up with any good reasons for us to vote for him, and had to resort to pulling totally irrelevant issues out of the air, such as the one claiming he will create jobs.

This so called platform is insult to the intelligence of the voters of Coles county.

Based on this rather odd platform, I would have to wonder when would he have the time to actually do the job, as it appears he would be too busy running the rest of the county government.

I suspect that naive and rather lame platform will hurt, rather than help him.

Again, Readon claims he will create jobs, give us a break Todd!

Stick to what you know best, and leave that office to the professionals. "

" I do not know anything about Todd Reardon but at the Bagelworst Parade Saturday I saw someone walking to support him of who I know has been in jail multiple times. One of his offenses was acting like a contractor and getting a down payment ( from and elderly woman )for his services to purchase supplies then not doing the job. If this is the type of people Todd associates with then he does not get my vote. "

" mypointofview...he doesn't "associate" with them, he just defends them. i wonder if all his supporters have stopped to think....if they somehow manage to get him elected....who are they going to run to the next time they break the law? their BFF will no longer be available to them. "

" To My point of view enlighten me as to who you are talking about? It is easy to say such a statement and not put a name on the person you supposedly saw at the parade.

Furthermore anyone who has been to jail does not necessarily mean guilty. I sure hope you do not sit in a jury box anytime soon. Are you going to impose the new standard of justice? Guilty until you prove your innocence!

If that is your standard please vote for Komada or Ferguson, to me the Constitution is too precious to wilt away. "

" To HP-
I am not saying that the public transportation that we have now is underused at all, just the opposite actually. I am saying that by adding a cost for public transportation to the fines of offenders, we would be able to expand and better the transportation that we have now.

As far as the afterschool program, perhaps you should read more carefully, the money is to come from the fines paid by the offenders.

As to the comment about not returning phone calls, I am generally in court in more than one county every day. Have you tried to get a return phone call from the current State's Attorney? The one who is rarely ever in court. I didn't think so.

The State's Attorney's Office expenditures are hardly a matter of public record. Where is Steve this week?
I am quite aware of the drug court program, again read carefully, it states drug court programs; to accompany the drug court program already in place, I am simply stating that I support it and feel that meth addiction like alcoholism is a disease, it needs to be treated.

~Recognizing the victims right to say that restitution was made in non-violent crimes. That is, victims satisfaction should define states satisfaction in many non-violent offenses.
BENEFITS: The savings of court time and court/taxpayer costs, and the avoidance of the stigma of a criminal record (a second chance for typically young offenders).

(yeah right, Todd, and this isn't happening now, huh?)~

One of my personal favorites, NO it is not happening now. Doesn't this go to show how much corruption is actually taking place in the State's Attorney's Office, and how much you, the taxpayers, know about? I know of 3 kids that were punished for "attempted burglary" when in fact they were letting off firecrackers, causing damage to a storage shed. The victims had been paid and wrote several letters to the State's Attorney's Office only to have their wishes go unheard and the State's Attorney's Office to continue prosecuting anyway. So, to answer your question, no this is not happening already.

As for your other question of adding to that office-do you have any idea how many people are employed by that office as it is? Did you know that everytime Steve "loses" one of his assistants, he is quick to hire a replacement. Steve has 5 assistants who all have their own secretary, plus Steve and his secretary, one filer, and 2 receptionists. Let me also remind you that there are only 5 court rooms and usually at least one of them is being used for family court. On any given day you can walk into a criminal courtroom and find at least 2 if not 3 assistant SA's. I will not be hiring anymore people, quite frankly I feel that there are too many there now, just another waste of taxpayers dollars. "

" Wow. The politician himself actually comments on here. Man, I'm guessing he doesn't have much of a campaign team because I'm thinking his communications manager would be very much against him coming on here and commenting back on personal attacks and asking for personal names to stories posted online. That seems a little odd to be doing. "

" mr. reardon's back, yay! so can you answer my question then, please? if you get elected, how are the new cases involving your former clients going to be handled? you are a rather popular lawyer, so there's a pretty good chance your office would end up going against some of your former clients. "

" Das, "That seems a little odd to be doing."?
I call it honest and upfront! "

" If we stop and think about it, not prosecuting any "accused" criminals will save the County tons of money. Hey they are only accused of the crime.

If we follow the advice of 85CHSGrad only cases where the State had a "slam dunk" case would be taken to trial. Another huge savings for the County.

By taking on only the most obviously guilty cases the County could reduce the number of Assistants and office personnel. More savings for the County.

If the State's Attorney knows the accused do not press charges, if there is any possibility of acquittal do not press charges, and if the defence challanges the evidence do not press charges. Without having to have all of those expensive tests performed on the evidence even more money will be saved.

It looks like a money making plan to me. With no cases going to trial Todd would have the time to fix the rest of the County offices. I can not understand why no one has thought of this before, LOL. "

" pj1983:

Under the Code of Ethics, I cannot handle a case in which I was involved with directly. So, I could not being involved in cases, that I now have if they are not resolved. There is an office called the Appellate Court Conflicts Division to handle these issues. As is the case when Ferguson's Assistant stole the marijuana evidence. "

" das: If you have to pay someone to be your point man as an attorney you need a new line of work. I am not affraid of speaking the truth and as State's Attorney I will do the same. "

" pj1983: As to new cases involving former clients as a State's Attorney, I would not be conflicted generally speaking, there are expections. "

" Harry: Get outside and smell the fresh-air it is called a green revolution. Get used to it the more times you get on here the more votes I get. Are you the same Harry Potter who only knows Brian's Place and your laptop? If so, get out to other places the parks, nursing homes, the mall, other clubs, etc. The County residents are sick and tired of the same old system at the Courthouse. I noticed you did not refute one thing Dr. Gary Foster wrote in hi editorial.
Perhaps, you could stay on task and look at the editorial and try to find something false in the letter. "

" My Point of View-I was one of the people walking with Todd at the Bagelfest Parade and do not know of anyone who was on our float or walking with us that has ever been jailed on such charges. There were four political candidates in that parade, perhaps you have mistaken our float for one of the others, as there was one other candidate wearing green and white t-shirts. If this is the case, as I am sure that it is, I feel that you should apologize for making false accusations, and re-direct your post to that candidate. "

" 3/2008
Greedy jail guards, pill-peddling cops, sticky-fingered cops, and a sticky-fingered prosecutor. On the corrupt cop front, it's the same old same old. Here's this week's version. Let's get to it:

In Charleston, Illinois, a former Coles County assistant prosecutor for Steve Ferguson, is considering voluntary disbarment after being accused of stealing drugs from a Coles County Sheriff's Department evidence locker. Former prosecutor James Baba, 39, took 10 grams of marijuana from the department and never returned it after telling deputies "he needed the evidence for court purposes," according to an official with the Illinois Attorney Registration and Disciplinary Commission (ARDC). The ARDC accused Baba of theft in a complaint filed last August but not publicly known until now, and also noted the he successfully sought the dismissal of the case against the man to whom the 10 grams of pot belonged. While Baba had reportedly agreed to voluntary disbarment, he had not submitted paper work to the ARDC by last week, and the commission said it will move to disbar him if he doesn't do it himself. The missing marijuana was discovered after Baba had been fired in 2006 for excessive absences. State prosecutors decided not to file criminal charges. "

" Old Grumpy: I have never advocated not prosecuting people who have violated the law, but the current administration acts as if every time the police have been summonsed that a crime has occurred. This is not always the case. It is the police officer's job to arrest, it is the State's attorney's job to look at the facts and determine if a crime actually occurred. In essences the current administrations allows the tail to wag the dog.

While allowing the assistants to steal government property & evidence. Come out and be counted are you advocating theft by the people hired to represent the county from the crooks. "

" Todd Reardon, I am sure it is the job of a Judge or a Jury to determine if a crime has actually occurred not the State Attorney. The State Attorney's job is to take the evidence from Law Enforcement personnel and prosecute the accused. A Judge or a Jury then ponders the evidence and finds the accused guilty or not-guilty. If you wish to determine if a crime has actually occurred you should run for a Judge's position. "

" mr. reardon...so having represented the person in the past wouldn't give you an edge? if they didn't feel comfortable going up against you could they ask for someone else to handle the case, citing a conflict of interest or attorney-client privledge? i understand how if the cases aren't related, it shouldn't matter, but if you are aware that they are guilty of something, but as their lawyer you got them off (a reduced sentence, fines, drug court, whatever) wouldn't that give you insight into the current case? granted, just because they did it the first time wouldn't mean they did it the second, but you can see where i'm coming from, right? (probably not, i tend to ramble:p) "

" Old Grumpy I beg to differ with you the State should investigate and not bring charges against people just because an arrest was made. Remember the Duke LaCrosse case! "