Rural Requiem

A few of the irregularities in the Moultrie County June primary are discussed, as well as how the general mindset of being a candidate and elected official is vital. Quickly, we move to the allegations by supporters of former Moultrie County Clerk Georgia England made during her abrupt exit from office. The Barker Substitute Challenge is taken. It is no shock to any Illinois resident how expensive it actually is to become a substitute teacher here. No wonder we have a teacher shortage.

Chapter One

Chapter Two

Chapter Three

Chapter Four

Chapter Five

Chapter Six

Chapter Seven

Hear the entire episode of Clerks: The Divine Rural Comedy or the second installment, Commingling in Purgatory Park.

I finish the story about Schuyler County’s ballot issues heading into the general election. Detailing these mistakes slides us right back to Moultrie County election woes regarding the Republican county clerk primary in June. Mistakes can pile up. At least Schuyler County has been upfront about their mistakes ahead of the general election so they can be accounted for at every step in the process. Gubernatorial candidate and current state senator Darren Bailey’s poll watcher general election strategy is highlighted. Where media pundits are apt to hype fear, I pump the brakes.

Chapter One

Chapter Two

Chapter Three

Chapter Four

Chapter Five

Chapter Six

Hear the entire episode of Clerks: The Divine Rural Comedy or the second installment, Commingling in Purgatory Park.

Chapter 6

Dinner, Breakfast, or Brunch? Democrats, Republicans, or à la carte? What are Moultrie County Democrats so afraid of hearing? We hear from Capitol View regarding Illinois county clerks before I begin telling the story of another 15th Congressional District County Clerk’s office being rocked by mistakes and scandal.

Chapter One

Chapter Two

Chapter Three

Chapter Four

Chapter Five

Hear the entire episode of Clerks: The Divine Rural Comedy or the second installment, Commingling in Purgatory Park.

National implications intersect with personal experiences and the upcoming November election. What is the decision matrix for Georgia England? Was the Illinois Attorney General involved? Powerful and jarring testimony of an intern is heard. Did England deny him training in the county clerk’s office to protect him or protect herself?

I divulge my reasoning for talking to other people in the courthouse prior to talking to England herself. The history of the county clerk’s office not responding to verbal requests in a timely manner is explored. I end the podcast with announcement of my plans to attend the Moultrie County Democratic Fall Dinner as well as the bombshell that Georgia England, despite quitting because of the toxic atmosphere in the courthouse, is still working in the county clerk’s office.

Chapter One

Chapter Two

Chapter Three

Chapter Four

Hear the entire episode of Clerks: The Divine Rural Comedy or the second installment, Commingling in Purgatory Park.

Chapter Four opens up a dynamic discussion about the atmosphere and culture that is the backdrop of these contentious issues involving elections. The timeline leading up to the July 14th resignation of Georgia England is analyzed. We finish the interim county clerk’s speech and the decisions leading up to her being slated as a Democratic candidate in the county treasurer race. England’s media management of that political campaign upon her resignation is discovered.

The interim county clerk makes a number of contradictions and errors in her speech. Apparently, the only time questions can be asked of the former county clerk is as a narrative. Any questions by county employees were considered contempt. The answers were “self-evident,” the interim county clerk exclaimed during the meeting. However, moments before she had claimed the former county clerk was happy to answer questions. We know from the resignation speech she was not happy. What is the truth?

Chapter One

Chapter Two

Chapter Three

Hear the entire episode of Clerks: The Divine Rural Comedy or the second installment, Commingling in Purgatory Park.

Finally in Chapter Three, we hear what were supposed to be the final words and official acts at the July Moultrie County Board meeting by the county clerk. Her 21-year history in office is examined. We also are introduced to the interim county clerk who assumed her seat upon her resignation. The interim county clerk later was slated as a Democratic candidate for county treasurer. She had worked under England for 17 years in the county clerk’s office. We will hear from her directly.

This interim county clerk opens up the discussion about FOIAs, which are Freedom of Information Act requests, and brings up election fraud allegations Brad Graven posted online. I disclose my findings about both claims. Listeners will remember Graven from before.

Chapter One

Chapter Two

Hear the entire episode of Clerks: The Divine Rural Comedy or the second installment, Commingling in Purgatory Park.

In Chapter Two, we setup Georgia England’s final words as Moultrie County Clerk as well as discuss the timing of that resignation and speech. Was the Illinois Attorney General involved? Why did England give that speech after the public comment instead of during the requested time for elected officials?

Also, I bring attention to Coles County Board member Gail Mason’s activities during and after the June primary. It’s for similar reasons Democratic voters and candidates pulled Republican ballots across the State of Illinois. The outsized role county clerks have in Illinois primaries and general elections is explored. Is election reform necessary in the age of tribalism and increasing number of blowout counties?

Chapter One

Hear the entire episode of Clerks: The Divine Rural Comedy or the second installment, Commingling in Purgatory Park.

Chapter One of the Divine Rural Comedy sets the tone for the conversation we’re all having on the national and local stages regarding our elections. Specifically, we begin to explore how elections become a reality in rural Illinois within each county. I begin highlighting some characters in a local county I know well. 

Moultrie County Clerk Georgia England, with 21 years on the job, quit suddenly in mid-July. She was the last countywide elected Democratic official in Moultrie County. I highlight some of the consequences of my three-month exploration and research into this contentious exodus from public office.

Hear the entire episode of Clerks: The Divine Rural Comedy or the second installment, Commingling in Purgatory Park.   

We've reached the midpoint of our journey. 

Will you brave the Barker Substitute Challenge? How many non-candidates have not only been on the ballot but also won office?

Can we all just break some bread together. Apparently not quite yet. We might just get there, though, by the end of our exploration. 

I think it would be healthy for people to start commingling again, because it is not healthy being in a silo only hearing the echo chamber. It can really make you hard of hearing of different perspectives. 

I recorded some audio from Capitol View's 9th of September episode, with host Jennifer Fuller, Associate Director for News and Public Affairs at WSIU; Mike Miletich, Illinois Capitol Bureau Chief of Gray Television; and John Jackson, visiting professor at the Paul Simon Institute. Jackson also served as the 17th Chancellor of SIU. 

Salvador Dali is responsible for the life changing artwork.

The intro music is Zac Brown. Closing is Lucius. Stunning stuff. 

Appreciate you listening and sharing this podcast with others. Thank you!

Our elections are under the microscope across the nation, including right here in Central and Southern Illinois.

An exploration of numerous stories and accusations during the fallout after Moultrie County Clerk and County Clerk of the Year Georgia England abruptly quit in July ahead of this November's midterm elections.

The story is captivating.