Patricia Hayes, a Democrat who was elected to the Sangamon County board in 2020, resigned Thursday.
Hayes, a private attorney, was disqualified from two criminal court cases recently because of a conflict of interest where she may have had to cross-examine witnesses employed by the county. Judges granted the decisions.
Sangamon County Chief Judge John Madonia disqualified her from a 2021 case involving David A. Perkins while Associate Judge Rudolph Braud disqualified her from a 2018 case involving Dayne Woods.
Hayes wrote that her resignation was "to avoid any further perceived appearance of impropriety."
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Hayes, reached Friday, said she is going into private practice full time, with a concentration on criminal defense, employment law and workman's compensation.
"I enjoyed my time on the board, but my livelihood and my clients come first," Hayes said.
Hayes currently works for the Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services but is leaving that position next Friday.
There was no immediate word about Hayes' replacement on the county board.
In November, the county board adopted a Republican-created map that put Hayes and fellow Democrat board member Tony DelGiorno into the newly-drawn District 23. DelGiorno, who has been on the board since 2012, currently represents District 22.
The District 23 seat is up for election Nov. 8, with the primary on June 28.
Hayes said Friday she...
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