Swearing-in set for Wednesday morning

Saline County Presiding Judge Bruce D. Stewart will be swearing me in as state's attorney about 7:55 a.m. on Wednesday, December 1, at the courthouse. I expect to be making an announcement on Wednesday about Attorney Stephen Hedinger, who has been acting as a special assistant state's attorney by appointment of Rod Wolf.

Mr. Wolf has been extremely cooperative in making the transition between administrations a smooth one, for which I am very grateful.

Personnel announcements

I am pleased to announce today that Attorney Tammi Jackson will become an assistant state’s attorney when my term begins on December 1st.

Ms. Jackson, a Galatia native, is a 2001 graduate of the SIU School of Law. For the past three years she has been employed as an associate in the Hughes Law Office in Carbondale. Her legal skills will be a great asset to us, and I am very pleased that she has agreed to return to Saline County to join our legal team.

Ms. Jackson will be replacing Lowell Tison, who is moving to Hardin County to engage in the private practice of law. Mr. Tison has worked tirelessly for many years as an assistant to retiring state’s attorney Rod Wolf, and I want to publicly thank him for his service.

Paul Myers has agreed to remain as an assistant state’s attorney as I take over from Mr. Wolf. Mr. Myers' continuing presence will help to ensure stability and continuity. This is extremely important in this office, the work of which will not and cannot pause simply because a different person holds the office of state’s attorney.

Mr. Wolf’s support staff–Cathy Cockrum, Amy Pankey, Teresa Mills, Cheryl Stallings, and Dee Pelhank–have also all agreed to stay on during the transition between administrations.