It’s been a long time since someone from Sangamon County sought a state constitutional office, but this year veteran prosecutor John Milhiser, a Springfield resident, is seeking the GOP nod for secretary of state.
Since stepping down as U.S. attorney in the Central District of Illinois, Milhiser has taught government, English and history at Lawrence Education Center in Springfield. He said there is a pervasive cynicism among his students about elected officials and government service.
“And that has to change,” he said. “So, when I think of running statewide, the secretary of state’s office, for me, is the perfect place to try to fix that.”
Just how he plans to reduce cynicism by holding the office that issues driver’s licenses, among other things, is a bit of an open question. But Milhiser said the key is “customer service,” and his experience as Sangamon County state’s attorney has prepared him.
“We are service-oriented every day in how we are dealing with the public – a lot of people don’t realize that. We deal with victims and victims’ families. We have a walk-in system where people would show up every single day wanting criminal charges filed, or just needing help with something,” he said. “It’s kind of like a hub for people who have problems. And we can try to help them out. So that’s the customer service aspect of it. And when I look at state government, there is the secretary of state’s office. That’s the office that most people are going to have the most contact with state government.”
The secretary of state’s office, which is best known for issuing driver’s licenses and license plates, has a variety of other functions such as promoting organ donation, adjudicating suspension of driver privileges, archiving state records, operating the state library, promoting literacy, maintaining the Capitol and operating its own statewide police force.
The post is often sought as a steppingstone to higher office, according to Mike Lawrence, a longtime political observer. Jim Edgar and George Ryan both served as secretary of state before being elected governor. Alan Dixon was secretary of state when he was elected to the U.S. Senate.
Milhiser declined to say whether he has any desire to eventually run for higher office.
Jesse White has held the high-profile post for 24 years but is not seeking reelection.
It’s time to look for ways to maintain motorist safety and improve customer service at the drivers’ services facilities scattered across Illinois’ 102 counties, Milhiser said. The facilities are notorious for long lines and lengthy wait times.
Milhiser said studies show that young drivers and older drivers are the ones most likely to be involved in traffic accidents.
“I think we should do everything we can to minimize the amount of time people in the middle spend at one of our offices,” he said. He added more services should be available online.
Milhiser was critical of the current officeholder, Jesse White, for shutting down drivers’ services facilities for extended periods during the pandemic. He said the state needs to work toward keeping offices open.
Milhiser is running as part of a slate of six candidates seeking statewide office. At the top of the slate is Aurora Mayor Richard Irvin, who is running for governor. The group reportedly has the support of Illinois’ richest person, Ken Griffin, a Chicago investor.
“All of the slate candidates have very similar backgrounds in terms of being reformers, being people who may not have taken the traditional track but have a record of public service and fighting corruption,” said Justin Giorgio, a spokesman for Milhiser’s campaign.
Milhiser served for three years as the top federal prosecutor in the 46-county Central District of Illinois, a post he was appointed to by President Donald Trump in October 2018. He was later confirmed unanimously by the U.S. Senate and served until February 2021, resigning at the request of President Joe Biden. Such resignations are standard when there is a change in administrations.
Before becoming U.S. attorney, Milhiser was the twice-elected Sangamon County state’s attorney. He began his legal career in that office in 1997 and spent time in the juvenile, civil and felony divisions before entering private practice in 2003. He returned to the state’s attorney’s office in 2008 as the first assistant. He was appointed to the top spot in 2010 and elected in 2012 and 2016.
Milhiser is married to Seventh Circuit Judge Gail Noll and they have two college-age daughters. He received his undergraduate degree from James Madison University in Virginia and his law degree from University of Illinois.
Springfield Park District board member Robin Schmidt worked with Milhiser early in her career as a fellow assistant state’s attorney and later served under him when he became Sangamon County state’s attorney.
She described Milhiser as having solid administrative skills and heartfelt compassion.
“I’m grateful that he hired me back into the office after my husband John died,” she said.
John Schmidt was a justice of the Fourth District Appellate Court at the time of his death, but previously served as Sangamon County state’s attorney from 1999-2010. Milhiser was appointed to replace him.
Milhiser will face State Rep. Dan Brady, R-Bloomington, in the June 28 Republican primary.
On the other side, three Democrats are vying for their party’s nomination: Former state Treasurer Alexi Giannoulias, Chicago City Clerk Anna Valencia and Chicago Alderman David Moore.
The last Springfield resident to run for a constitutional office is believed to be former Springfield Mayor Mike Houston. In 1986, Houston captured the Republican nomination for Illinois treasurer, but lost in the general election to Democrat Jerry Cosentino.
Scott Reeder, a staff writer for Illinois Times, can be reached at sreeder@illinoistimes.com.
This article appears in 2022 Wedding Issue.
