SHAWNEE COLLEGE HEAD SEEKS LEGISLATIVE SEAT

MARION, Ill. -- Jack D. Hill, president of Shawnee Community College, will be a candidate for Illinois State Representative in the 118th District in 1994.

Hill, a Republican, officially announced his candidacy Saturday during a press conference at the Marion Youth Center. He also was scheduled to appear at a kick-off rally at the Shawnee College gymnasium at 6 p.m.

Hill is one of a handful of candidates who have already announced intentions to seek offices during 1994 elections. Illinois primaries will be held March 9, with the general election in November.

On the national scene, U.S. Rep. Jerry Costello, D-12th District and Rep. Glenn Poshard, D-19th District, each have filed petitions for re-election.

Locally, Mark H. Clark announced his candidacy for the Democrat nomination for Circuit Judge for the nine counties of the First Judicial Circuit.

Andrea Brown has filed for regional superintendent of schools following the announced that incumbent Jerry G. Johnson won't seek re-election. Brown has served for the past 10 years as assistant regional superintendent.

In Pulaski County, Gene Dixon has formally announced his candidacy for sheriff.

Hill, who is only the third president of Shawnee College in its 25-year history, previously served as vice president for Instructional Services at John A. Logan College in Carterville. He accepted the position at Shawnee in 1991.

Hill worked with John A. Logan College in various capacities since 1969, and has served in key positions within the state community college system.

He was president of the Illinois Council of Community College Administration in 1990, a member of the Task Force on Articulation of the Illinois Community College board, and past chairman of the Instructional Commission, Illinois Council of Community College Administrators.

Hills also is a member of Phi Delta Kappa. He served as a community college delegate in a citizen's ambassador program in China in 1987, and on the executive committee of the post doctoral academy of higher education. He also is a veteran of the U.S. Army and Army reserves.

He is a graduate of Southern Illinois University-Carbondale, with a bachelor's degree in elementary education, a master's degree in education, and a doctorate in higher education.

Hill announced earlier this year that he was retiring as Shawnee president following the 1993-94 school year.

Clarke was appointed associate judge in 1992, then appointed circuit judge this year to fill the position of J. Phil Gilbert, who was named to the federal bench last year.

"I put before the voters performance not promises," said Clark, who announced his candidacy earlier this month. "I have solid credentials, demonstrating experience, integrity and ability, and I'm always available to meet the needs of people who come to the courthouse seeking solutions to tough problems."

Clarke, a lifelong resident of Southern Illinois, has extensive jury trial experience in Illinois and federal courts, having represented both plaintiffs and defendants in civil and criminal cases.

He has argued before the Illinois Fifth District Appellate Court and appeared before numerous administrative law tribunals. He also has served on Illinois Supreme Court committees.

He served as Alexander County State's Attorney two terms and was a special prosecutor throughout Southern Illinois. He has prosecuted more than 1,000 felony cases as well as numerous misdemeanor and traffic cases.

Clarke earned his degree from the College of Law at the University of Illinois. He earned his bachelor's degree from the University of Illinois.

Clarke has taught courses in law at the University of Illinois and at Shawnee Community College. He is a member of the Illinois Judge's Association, Illinois Bar Association, and Pulaski-Alexander County Bar Association.

Johnson, who has served as Regional Superintendent of Schools since 1978, announced last week his decision not to run again.

"Being regional superintendent has been a rewarding and fulfilling job," said Johnson, who has worked in that office more than 30 years.

He has endorsed Brown's bid for the seat.

Brown said: "My intention all along was that when Johnson retired I would seek this office.

"Legislation passed this summer will change the focus of the office to that of service delivery and I am eager to be a part of that type of office."

Johnson added: "Her decision to run has made my difficult decision to retire an easier one. She can continue the programs and services of this office and make them even better."

Poshard was the first to announce his re-election plans, on Dec. 1.

He will be trying for a fourth term in the House, and will be emphasizing deficit reduction, health care reform, campaign finance reform and service to the district.

"I want to continue our work across this district on projects which will improve the quality of life in our communities," said Poshard, who was first elected to the House in 1989, and is now in the middle of his third term.

Poshard, who lives in Marion, is a member of the House Public Works and Transportation Committee and the Small Business Committee.

Costello announced his re-election plans last week.

A member of the House Budget, Public Works and Transportation Committee, and the Science, Space and Technology Committee, Costello has listed as one of his primary goals a four-lane highway between Carbondale and St. Louis.

"Creating jobs and improving health care while making it affordable are the biggest needs in this area," he said.