Prosecutors staff election complaint hotline

The Kane County state’s attorney’s office will have teams of prosecutors spread out throughout the county ready to respond to complaints and allegations of voter fraud, electioneering and other possible antics for Tuesday’s primary election where voters will whittle down the field of Democrats and Republicans for the big election this fall.

While most complaints are from candidates’ signs being placed too close to polling places and other seemingly innocuous infractions, the state’s attorney’s office also will have an election hotline at (630) 208-5328 to respond to complaints.

“Voters have a right to expect an honest, fair and orderly election,” Kane County State’s Attorney Joe McMahon said.

Officials stress this is not a number to call for polling place information.

If you haven’t voted already and need to find out your polling place, call (630) 232-5990 or visit kanecountyelections.org

Prosecutors garner praise: The Kane County state’s attorney’s office recently recognized three employees.

Michele Niermann, an assistant state’s attorney and deputy chief of the office’s civil division, was named Prosecutor of the Year, while Deborah Day, the supervisor of DUI, domestic violence and Kane County branch court support staff was named Employee of the Year.

Assistant State’s Attorney Christina Wascher was the recipient of the Ace of Spades Award, given to a prosecutor for several factors, including: trials completed, complexity of the trials completed, and willingness as co-counsel to other prosecutors in trials.

Since 1995, Niermann has served as an ASA and worked as interim chief of the civil division for six months last year.

Kane County State’s Attorney Joe McMahon said Niermann, who is the longest serving prosecutor in the civil division, has excelled in representing the county in labor matters and environmental issues.

“Michele Niermann has really provided great leadership in that division of the office,” McMahon said.

Day joined the office in 2010 as an administrative assistant and was promoted last year to supervisor of support staff for the domestic violence, DUI, and traffic & misdemeanor divisions.

Day ran her own publishing business for more than 20 years and McMahon said, “She brings a great perspective of private sector business experience.”

Wascher, a Kane County native who has been an ASA since 2007, prosecuted 17 felony trials last year.

McMahon said Wascher was runner-up for the award the last two years, and credited her for handling numerous felony trials even if they are not the most high-profile cases.

“She’s tough, she’s fair, she’s aggressive,” McMahon said of Wascher. “I appreciate the hard work she brings to this county.”

hhitzeman@dailyherald.com