From the Belleville News Democrat

Oct. 14, 2004
State police union endorses Maag
BY BRIAN BRUEGGEMANN
EDWARDSVILLE - The Illinois Fraternal Order of Police announced Wednesday its endorsement of Gordon Maag for Illinois Supreme Court.
A spokesman for Maag's opponent, Lloyd Karmeier, said it's no surprise that a labor union is backing a Democratic candidate.
Illinois FOP President Ted Street, speaking at a news conference at the Madison County sheriff's office in Edwardsville, said the union researched both candidates.
"That was a tremendous component in our decision-making," Street said. He said the union, which has 36,000 members, "will get out and vote for Judge Maag."
Maag said, "Law enforcement and the endorsement they've given me means as much to me as any endorsement I've received."
Maag is a Democrat and a 5th District Appellate Court justice from Glen Carbon. Karmeier is a Republican and circuit judge from Washington County.
Karmeier's spokesman, Steve Tomaszewski, said later Wednesday: "Unions are following the Democratic Party line in this race. Judge Karmeier will stand on his record as a former state's attorney himself and as having the highest rating in this race."
Street said the endorsement was not based on political affiliation. He said the union endorsed Carl Hawkinson, a Republican, in a state Supreme Court race in 2000.
Also attending the news conference were state Sen. Bill Haine of Alton, Madison County State's Attorney Bill Mudge, Montgomery County State's Attorney Jim Roberts, Randolph County State's Attorney Darrell Williamson, Granite City Police Chief Dave Ruebhausen and Glen Carbon Police Chief David Bradford -- all Democrats, except for Bradford, who described himself as independent.
Ruebhuasen, who in recent years had a public squabble with a Madison County judge he felt was being soft on crime, said political affiliation was not a factor in his support of Maag.
"Democrat or not, there are some judges that I would not be standing here with," Ruebhausen said.
Tomaszewski said there is "not much to say about elected Democratic officials endorsing another Democrat."