McHenry Co. Democrats draft challenger to Bianchi

After a year of steering McHenry County's Democratic Party to never-before-seen heights, Thomas Cynor is setting his sights on taking the helm of the county's state's attorney's office.

Party officials unanimously selected Cynor Wednesday as their candidate to take on incumbent Republican State's Attorney Louis Bianchi in November's general election.

Cynor, 39, currently serves as research attorney for the judges of the county's 22nd Judicial Circuit. He has prior experience as a litigator for Kemper Insurance and a public defender and special prosecutor in downstate Livingston County.

The Woodstock resident said he does not see his relatively thin resume when it comes to prosecuting criminal matters as an impediment to his election. Most state's attorneys of large counties -- including Bianchi -- do not litigate cases, he said.

"The state's attorney now is first and foremost an administrator," Cynor said. "What's important is the ability to recognize good litigators and maintain them. Unfortunately, that's where our current state's attorney has fallen mightily."

Picking up on the some of the same criticisms Bianchi faced from his challenger in the months leading up to last months' GOP primary, Cynor knocked the current administration Wednesday for its high staff turnover rates and questions about its use of county funds to pay for about $17,000 in meals, snacks, candy and other items.

Cynor stepped down as his party's chairman earlier this month after a year that saw more McHenry County voters cast Democratic than Republican ballots in the February primary.

Party officials chose three other candidates for county races Wednesday.

Kerry Julian, a Woodstock insurance company owner, was selected to challenge incumbent Republican auditor Pam Palmer in November's election. Julian said his experience in insurance and finance, including managing a division with a $10 million budget and more than 100 employees, make him well-suited for the auditor's job.

"Auditing becomes extremely important when you have that much at stake," he said.

Crystal Lake residents Anita Harmon and Jill Mawhinney were chosen to run for county board seats representing board District 2, which represents most of Crystal Lake. They will take on Republican incumbent Jim Heisler and newcomer J.S. "Scott" Breeden.