Rachelle Aud Crowe has resigned from the Illinois Senate, as anticipated following her confirmation as U.S. attorney for the Southern District of Illinois.
Crowe (D-Glen Carbon) had served the 56th District since 2019, until President Joe Biden nominated her for U.S. attorney and the U.S. Senate confirmed her May 17. She had to resign from the state Senate in order to take the position.
She said her support as a senator from family, colleagues and the Metro-East was overwhelming.
“My heart is full of gratitude as I submit my resignation,” she said. “I will cherish the partnerships and friendships that grew in my time in the Illinois Senate as we worked to advocate for change, update laws and improve our great state together.
“While serving the diverse communities of the 56th District was often challenging, I was overjoyed to see how we are united in our fight to enhance opportunities for families across the state,” she said.
CANDIDATES ON BOARD
Crowe’s resignation left the 56th District seat open, but Capt. Kristopher Tharp of the Madison County Sheriff’s Department is running for the seat this year. He was being added to the ballot after the primary. Running for the Republicans is Erica Conway-Harriss (R-Glen Carbon) of the Madison County Board in November.
After working with Crowe on her campaign, Tharp worked with her on an elder abuse task force to develop new legislation on elder abuse and law enforcement culture.
The U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois files and prosecutes cases in 38 counties in southern Illinois, representing 1.2 million people. There are offices in Fairview Heights, East St. Louis and Benton, and it is one of three federal districts in Illinois.
Before her election to the state Senate, Crowe served for 12 years as Madison County assistant state’s attorney in violent crimes, general felony and juvenile abuse units. She received her juris doctorate from St. Louis University School of Law in 2000.
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