BUILDING AUTHORITY PROPOSAL FALLS SHORT

JONESBORO, Ill. -- The proposal for a special public building commission never got off the ground in Union County.

The trend was set with the count of the first 10 precincts, when the commission proposal fell behind 1,707-664. It never was any closer. With 15 of 20 precincts in, the no count had widened to more than 1,500, 2,529-1,001

The special commission was proposed to look into improvements for public buildings -- the Union County Jail and Courthouse in particular.

The 68-year-old jail recently closed because the jail couldn't meet state standards.

Only two local races were on the Tuesday ballot.

Democrat Harlen Coffman, who defeated incumbent Robin A. Dillon of Anna in the Democratic primary, had a comfortable lead over Republican Roy E. Walker, 1,784-1,240 with 15 precincts in.

In the race for one position on the Union County Board of Commissioners, Republican Larry A. Wheaton had a sizable lead over Democratic incumbent Wayne "Doc" Manus, 2,321-1,669.

Union County voters were supporting Democrat incumbent Jerry F. Costello over Republican Jan Morris with 15 precincts in, 2,375-1,585.

Voters in Union County are in two state representative districts. Voters using the red ballot were favoring Democrat David D. Phelps over Edward K. Downey and voters with the white ballots were favoring Republican Mike Bost over Democrat Gerald Hawkins.