Stanton holds leads in Democratic Lake County state's attorney race

Matthew Stanton jumped out to an early lead and appeared headed to victory in the Democratic primary for Lake County state's attorney.

With most precincts counted, Stanton led Michael Perillo Jr. of Grayslake by 30,727 votes to 27,733, according to unofficial results. Early voting and vote by mail totals were still being tabulated this morning.

Republican incumbent Michael Nerheim will face the Democratic winner in the November general election. Nerheim was unopposed in Tuesday's primary.

Stanton, 54, a Gurnee resident who has been a private practice attorney for a dozen years, said having never worked in the state's attorney's office is a benefit because it means he has no professional connections that might prevent him from making tough decisions, especially regarding personnel.

During his campaign, Stanton said he'd be willing to review the first-degree murder case of Melissa Calusinski, who was sentenced to 31 years in prison after a jury convicted her of the 2009 death of 16-month-old Benjamin Kingan at the Minee Subee in the Park Day Care in Lincolnshire. She was found guilty in 2011 of throwing the Deerfield boy to the floor, causing a fatal head injury.

Stanton said he connected with voters "on the ground level" during his campaign.

"Honestly, I'm about where I thought I would be," he said.

Perillo, 60, said late Tuesday he was holding out hope he could gain the early and mailed ballots that had yet to be counted.

Defense attorneys have filed motions seeking a new trial for Calusinski, claiming new evidence has been discovered. The state's attorney's office has said the "new" evidence was argued in court during Calusinski's trial.

Stanton said he doesn't understand why Nerheim is opposed to a new trial.