About Jono

I am born and raised in Macoupin County, graduating from Carlinville High School in 2001.  I attended Illinois Wesleyan University for undergrad and Southern Illinois University at Carbondale for law school.  After graduating I returned home, as I had always planned, to pursue my career in the community I love.  I am married to my high school sweetheart and we have two busy, rambunctious, wonderful kids and a dog, cat, and turtle to round out our beautiful family.

My community has always held a special place in my heart and my love for it drives me to give back in every way I can.  I am the President of the Carlinville Public Schools Foundation, serve on the Sam Jam music festival Board of Directors, and a former executive board member for the Macoupin County Economic Development Partnership.  

I am also passionate about youth sports and believe they play an important role in molding children's confidence, independence, and perseverance.  I am currently a volunteer assistant coach for the Carlinville High School boys' soccer team and the 10U Impact FC Soccer team.  Previously, I was the head coach for the Gillespie-Litchfield High School boys soccer team, assistant coach for the Carlinville High School girls' soccer team and have coached numerous local youth soccer and tball teams.

When Judge Deihl announced his retirement last November I knew I had a decision to make. Not whether I was going to run for the office, but how I was going to tell my family that I was seeking the office as a Republican. I come from a family of proud Democrats. My grandpa was a distinguished judge for many years and my dad was recently awarded the Lifetime Leadership award from the Democrat party. I am extremely proud of both of them, but my personal views have always been much more conservative than those of my family. 

I believe I could have secured the Democrat party’s nomination for Judge. However, being a respected judge requires independence and the ability to make difficult decisions. The only way to do that is to be authentic to your own beliefs, not what others expect of you. 

As the husband to my amazing wife, a father to two wonderful children and a coach to countless kids of all ages, I believe the core principles of the Republican party are most representative of our values in Macoupin County - values like fiscal conservatism, the right to bear arms, and small government. 

Finally, while the point here is to explain to voters why I'm choosing to run as a Republican, I want to clearly state that I am not running to be a Republican, I am running to be a judge.  As the next resident judge for Macoupin County, I commit to putting politics aside and treating all people fairly and impartially. 

Of the three candidates, I am the only candidate with substantial litigation experience in both private and public practice over the last 15 years.  I was the Chief Public Defender for 10 years, where I handled over 5,000 cases, including multiple jury trials.  In my private practice, I represent clients in all manners of civil and criminal proceedings, including being the attorney for multiple municipalities throughout our county.  

I would direct my passion and commitment to better the County's legal system and processes.  I will uphold the right for people to have a fair trial, impose punishments that fit the crime, and ensure an inclusive environment for the courthouse employees.  

I understand today's technological needs and will modernize the county's judicial system.  I will also prioritize the preservation of our historic Macoupin County courthouse.