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County Democratic Party backs Ruth COLLINSVILLE — The Madison County Democratic Party has endorsed Dennis Ruth of Collinsville in the election to replace Circuit Judge Edward Ferguson, who will retire when his term expires in November 2008. Ruth is the chairman of the Illinois Workers Compensation Commission. He earned the endorsement Wednesday evening, said Matt Melucci, chairman of the county Democratic Party. The group also gave its nod to Joe McMenamin, a Springfield attorney attempting to oust U.S. Rep. John Shimkus, R-Collinsville. Worker’s Comp Mediator Endorsed for Circuit Judgeship By Sanford J. Schmidt The Telegraph September 27, 2007 EDWARDSVILLE — The Madison County Democratic Party has endorsed Dennis Ruth of Collinsville for the circuit judge seat that will be left vacant by the retirement of Judge Edward C. Ferguson. Ruth has worked most of his career in worker’s compensation law and is chairman of the statewide Illinois Workers Compensation Commission. Ferguson is widely believed to be retiring at the end of his term in 2008 but has not announced his retirement officially. “Unless they are involved in worker’s compensation cases, they may not know we exist or what we do,” Ruth said. Ruth formerly was a worker’s compensation mediator and was appointed to the statewide commission that hears appeals in those cases. As chairman of the commission, he said he has experience is moving cases along in a timely and efficient manner and that the Democratic Party was looking for someone with those skills. The circuit judges of the Third Judicial Circuit, which covers Madison and Bond counties, recently have adopted a number of rules aimed at resolving disputes without the need for long, contentious litigation, while still preserving everyone’s legal rights. “As a lifelong Democrat, I am honored to get this endorsement and will work hard to live up to the support and confidence that has been placed in me,” Ruth said. Joe McMenamin Challenges John Shimkus for IL-19 in 2008... Receives endorsement by Madison County Democratic Party Joe McMenamin is the Democratic candidate for IL-19 and has begun circulating petitions for the February 05, 2008, Illinois Primary. He asked for and received the endorsement of the Madison County Democratic Party at a special meeting held on Wednesday September 26, 2007. He has been in the U. S. Army for 26 years. He is a graduate of the Defense Strategy Course U. S. Army War College, has received combat experience in Afghanistan, and is currently a lieutenant Colonel in the Illinois National Guard. He received his juris doctorate from Southern Illinois University, Carbondale, in 1979. Joe is 54 years old. He is a fourth generation Illinoisan descended from New Deal Democrats. His father grew up on a farm during the Depression. His father-in-law, Cy Cawley of Eureka, Illinois was a prisoner of war (POW) in World War II. He had been captured at the Battle of Bulge; earlier he had jumped on D Day over Normandy with the 101st Airborne. Joe's paternal uncle, Vic McMenamin, was also a POW for two years after getting shot down on a B24 bombing mission over Europe; earlier he participated as tail gunner in the famed Ploesti Oil Field bombing mission over Romania. Given a realistic alternative, voters will drive John Shimkus from office. He failed to perform his duty as a Member of Congress by not exercising checks and balances prior to and throughout the disastrous Iraq war, said Joe. He reminds his constituency that Rep. Shimkus consistently puts party above his country and reneged on his promise. By giving President Bush a blank check to fight a war in Iraq, Rep. Shimkus has succeeded in the following:
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