Newton announces run for Lake County Coroner

A former chief deputy coroner has announced he will run for Lake County coroner in 2012.

Antioch Township resident Steve Newton, a Republican, announced his candidacy in a news release Thursday.

Newton, who has worked for the Lake County sheriff’s office since 2007, said he has been in public service since 1991, and was hired to the coroner’s office in 2000 by former Coroner Barbara Richardson.

He was promoted to chief deputy coroner in 2005 by former Coroner Jim Wipper.

Newton left the office after former Coroner Richard Keller was elected to the position in 2007.

Newton said in the news release he intends to bring integrity, respect and compassion back to the Lake County coroner’s office.

He said he has hundreds of hours of specialized training and years of experience as an administrator inside the office.

“Our focus was to ease the burdens that come with the death of a loved one, and take every step possible to ensure families were provided the answers to questions that often surround a loved one’s death expeditiously,” Newton stated.

Former Waukegan Police Chief Artis Yancey, a Democrat, was appointed coroner this year, replacing Keller. He has not announced if he will run for the job in 2012.

Keller resigned after he pleaded guilty to unlawful delivery of a controlled substance and obstruction of justice in connection with his work as medical director of a Waukegan methadone clinic.

The clinic was linked to an overdose death in a years-long investigation. He was placed on probation and agreed to resign as coroner and surrender his license as a medical doctor.