Impending Rock Island County Public Defender vacancy up for grabs

Mr. Meersman, who was defeated in a four-way race for a judge seat in 2000, is the only candidate for the circuit judge position that will become open in December, when Judge James T. Teros' six-year term expires. Judge Teros has announced he will retire then.

That leaves replacing Mr. Meersman as public defender -- a job he's held since 1989 -- up to the 12 circuit judges.

Heightened interest is expected in the position now that the county board has approved hiking the salary for the position from the current $95,400 a year to 90 percent of the state's attorney's salary, which is about $147,000. The state pays two-thirds of the salary and the county pays the rest.

"With the new pay level, a lot more people are going to be attracted to the position," Mr. Meersman said. "Not only the pay increase, it's also the insurance."

Hmmmmm. A 35% pay hike. That should appeal to someone. But who?