Scant choice on ballot limits accountability

Accountability. With it, local government can work like a well-oiled machine. Without it, the wheels might just fall off that machine. When incumbent county officeholders face no opponents on the ballot, the people they serve can't hold them accountable for their actions. Voters aren't able to select the best candidate on Election Day, when there's only one person running. We mention this in regard to the electoral status of Gary Spencer, Whiteside County state's attorney. Spencer has caught flak for his past and present prosecutions of Nicholas Sheley, the suspect in eight gruesome homicides in late June - five of which were committed in Spencer's jurisdiction. His official silence hasn't helped matters, either. In November, Spencer is up