Kim Rhodes Named Effingham County Coroner

(NEW EFFINGHAM COUNTY CORONER KIM RHODES IS SWORN IN TO OFFICE BY COUNTY CLERK KERRY HIRTZEL)

Retired Illinois State Police Trooper Kim Rhodes has been named Effingham County Coroner.

Rhodes was appointed by the Effingham County Board at a special meeting Monday afternoon to replace the late Duane Guffey. County Sheriff Dave Mahon has been serving as interim coroner until Rhodes' appointment.

Rhodes was one of eight people who sought appointment to the post. County Republican Chairman Rob Arnold did not identify the other seven people publicly. The Republicans made the recommendation to appoint Rhodes since Guffey was elected as a Republican.

Rhodes' appointment is effective until after the November election. Each party will caucus in June to choose a candidate for the final two years of Guffey's term. Those individuals will be on the November ballot.

Rhodes was a candidate for coroner in 2004, agreeing to run shortly after retiring the Illinois State Police following Troy Durbin's death, but lost the general election. She also rose in the ranks while serving as a State Trooper and was shot in the line of duty, but recovered from her wounds.

Rhodes said, "We'll have a good team put together and we'll be ready to go." She said the team will include law enforcement, firefighters, the medical community and the clergy.

Also Monday, the Board named Dave Budde to succeed Johnathan Paholke on the 911 Board, representing the public safety sector. The term will expire August 31, 2019.

The Board also voted to approve a four-year contract agreement with the FOP Local representing maintenance workers of the county. The agreement is retroactive to November 1, 2017 and promises increases of 2%, 2-1/4%, 2-1/2% and 2-1/2%. The agreement also includes a clothing allowance. Previously, the maintenance workers were represented by the Laborers Local.

Our Greg Sapp spoke with Kim Rhodes following Monday's appointment...