McLean County’s top prosecutor among two Republicans vying for vacant judgeship

Posted on November 3, 2021

BLOOMINGTON – A Republican primary contest is brewing between McLean County’s chief prosecutor and an associate judge to fill a judicial vacancy next year.

McLean County State’s Attorney Don Knapp is sending out invitations to supporters for a formal announcement Thursday at Bloomington’s Union Park.

Associate Judge Amy McFarland made her formal announcement Tuesday on the steps of the McLean County Museum of History in Downtown Bloomington.

*Associate Judge Amy McFarland. (Facebook/Elect Judge Amy McFarland)*

Knapp and McFarland are competing to replace Judge Paul Lawrence, who announced his retirement earlier this week.

Circuit judges appointed McFarland as an associate judge in 2016, and two years later she was named presiding judge of Family Court, which she says is a position normally held by full circuit judges.

The county board appointed Knapp to become state’s attorney in 2018 and was elected to the post in 2020 without facing opposition.

Knapp’s current term as state’s attorney expires in 2024, so he can remain in his current job even if he’s not elected judge next year.

Before becoming state’s attorney, Knapp was assistant administrator for McLean County government.

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