Alorton Mayor Jo Ann Reed electioneers out of police vehicle –

ALORTON, IL. (ECWd) –

According to local residents, on March 17, 2019, Alorton Village Mayor Jo Ann Reed was spotted using the Village of Alorton’s Police vehicle to distribute sample ballots with her preferred candidate’s names checked off.

Our source indicated that Reed handed out the ballot to him while she was sitting in the police vehicle.

We checked the license plate number using GovPlates.com, and according to our database, the vehicle is registered to the Village of Alorton (here).

We urge those who witnessed Reed’s actions to contact the appropriate police agency and file a written complaint. She needs a new mugshot.

Reed is no stranger to the criminal justice system in St. Clair County:

• In 2014 she plead guilty to a Felony of smuggling contraband into the county jail for her niece and was removed from her elected office of Alorton Mayor by the Court. Unfortunately, Illinois has a “first-time Offender” program, which permitted her to run for office again, and she was elected again.
• In 2016, she attempted to obtain an Order of Protection against a water district customer, and the Court denied it.
• In 2016, she was indicted and arrested for Felony Vote Buying and Misdemeanor Disregard of Election Code. These cases have yet to make it to trial.
• In 2017, she was again indicted and arrested for Felony Official Misconduct / Performing a Forbidden Act, this case has yet to make it to trial.
• In 2018, she was arrested on a Bench Warrant for 2 Counts of Felony Official Misconduct – impersonating a police officer, 1 Class A Misdemeanor Count of Possession of Police Lights and Equipment. These cases have yet to make it to trial.

Now, apparently, she is using the police vehicle to solicit votes for her preferred candidates. If charged and convicted, this could be more Felony Official Misconduct charges, disregard of the election code, and violations of the State Ethics Act.

We question when the new St. Clair County State’s Attorney will hold her accountable to the law.

Residents of Alorton and St. Clair County deserve better than this.

St. Clair County has a new prosecutor – their previous prosecutor was appointed to lead the Illinois State Police Department by Gov. Pritzker last month.

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