Bleyer seeks Appellate Court seat
Williamson County Circuit Judge Brad Bleyer announced Tuesday he will be seeking a vacancy on the Fifth District Appellate Court in Mt. Vernon. Judge Bruce Stewart will not be seeking re-election. Bleyer made the announcement on the southwest side of the Williamson County Courthouse. RICK HAYES/DAILY REPUBLICAN
MARION - Circuit Judge Brad Bleyer announced Tuesday he will be seeking one of two vacancies to the Fifth District Appellate Court, based in Mt. Vernon.
Bleyer, of Carbondale, is a circuit judge in the First Judicial Circuit of Illinois. He is seeking a seat vacated by Judge Bruce Stewart, who is not seeking retention.
The second vacancy was created by the retirement of James Wexstten of Mt. Vernon. Second Judicial Circuit Court Judge Jo Beth Weber, also of Mt. Vernon, has announced she will be seeking Wexstten's seat. Bleyer and Weber are Democrats.
The primary election will be held in March and the general election on Nov. 8, 2016.
"Eleven years ago when I was appointed to the Supreme Court to be a Circuit Judge that I would work hard and take the job very seriously, that I would listen to the evidence carefully, that I would treat people with respect, patience and dignity and I would rule as impartially and fair as I possibly could," Bleyer said. "That is a promise that I have tried very hard to keep and would certainly keep that promise on the Appellate Court."
In order for citizens to remain confident in the judicial system, a level playing field is necessary, he said.
"They (clients) have to know and be confident that when they go into court their case is going to be decided on the merits of the case and not on any outside influence or bias on the part of the judge."
Bleyer said in his 21 years as an attorney and as a judge he has participated in many jury trials and says those who have served on juries have taken the responsibility very seriously.
"If we as judges are demanding and ordering our jurors to do that we can't expect any less from and must demand the same from ourselves.
"I feel like it's been a true honor and a privilege to serve as a First Circuit Judge for the past 11 years and it would be a true honor to serve the entire Southern Illinois region as an Appellate Court judge," he concluded.
Bleyer's campaign co-chair Patrick Murphy said Bleyer's record is nearly flawless.
"It's almost perfect, it's almost embarrassing good," Murphy said.
Murphy read a letter from retired Illinois Supreme Court justice Phil Rarick, the remaining campaign co-chair.
Bleyer is a graduate of Carterville High School. He earned his bachelor's degree from Southern Illinois University and graduated from the Southern Illinois University School of Law. Bleyer is married to wife Valeri, and has two adult sons. Bleyer was joined at his announcement by his wife, parents, brother and sister-in-law, along with several retired and active judges.
The Fifth District Appellate Court serves 37 counties in Southern Illinois from Effingham County to the south and a portion of the Metro-East area.