A Galesburg attorney has been appointed to fill a short-term vacancy as Knox County State’s Attorney.
The Knox County board on Wednesday unanimously confirmed the appointment of Sherry Lawson-Weaver. She will complete the term of Democrat Jeremy Karlin, who is stepping down next week.
Lawson-Weaver currently works as an assistant state’s attorney in the office. She has been in practice in the region since 1994 as a public defender, prosecutor, and private attorney.
Lawson-Weaver’s appointment will begin Sept. 5 or sooner if Karlin leaves office before then. She will serve until Republican Ashley Worby is sworn in on Dec. 2 following the November election.
“Sherry has a long history of service in the Knox County area serving both in public and private practice. Sherry’s service in the Public Defender’s Office for Knox, Warren and Henderson Counties as well as an Assistant States Attorney in Warren County and her current role as an Assistant State’s Attorney for Knox County has provided her the knowledge and skillset needed for the role," said county board chair Jared Hawkinson in a release.
“With Sherry’s presence in the States Attorney’s Office currently, we look forward to a smooth transition for the office and would also like to thank Jeremy Karlin for his service to Knox County,” said Hawkinson.
Worby is running unopposed for Knox County State’s Attorney. She will be the first woman elected to the role and the first Republican in decades.
Tri States Public Radio produced this story. TSPR relies on financial support from our readers and listeners in order to provide coverage of the issues that matter to west central Illinois, southeast Iowa, and northeast Missouri. As someone who values the content created by TSPR's news department please consider making a financial contribution.
