PEKIN, Ill. – Tazewell County State’s Attorney Stewart Umholtz says simply put, it was time for a change.
That’s why he says he’s running for judge in the November election — so far, unopposed — and also why he ran for State’s Attorney almost 30 years ago.
WMBD News was able to talk with Unholtz, one day after he formally filed his letter intending to retire at the end of November.
“I think we all need to step out of our comfort zone in life, if we’re going to continue to grow,” said Umholtz. “I’ve been doing this job for quite awhile, and I think it’s time for me to move on, give someone else an opportunity to serve as State’s Attorney.”
Umholtz has been in the office since 1985, appointed to the top job a decade later. He wants Chief Assistant Kevin Johnson to replace him, but he’d have to be slated by the local GOP to run for the remaining two years of the term. Democrats also have a chance to slate a candidate.
“It’s important to me to have someone trained and qualified to take over these responsibilities. As I said in my letter, even more importantly, Kevin Johnson has the good judgement and wisdom to seek justice for our community.”
Johnson has been with the office almost 20 years. Umholtz speaks so highly of Johnson that he says the world needs more Kevin Johnsons.
