Why I’m Qualified:
HANDS-ON EXPERIENCE
With my prior experience as the Williamson County State’s Attorney and as assistant public defender in Jackson County plus my vast legal knowledge, I can ensure an office that works optimally.
I have handled misdemeanor and felony criminal cases, represented clients in the court from First Appearance to motions filed in trials, and have experience on both the Circuit and Appeal levels of court.
I have also worked with judges, prosecutors, attorneys, clients, victims and victim advocates, and probation officers.
What I Believe:
PUBLIC SAFETY
My top priority is ensuring the safety and well-being of our community. I am committed to upholding the law, prosecuting crimes, and advocating for policies that make our neighborhoods safer for everyone.
Together we can work to reduce crime and build a justice system that reflects the values of fairness, accountability, and justice for all.
VICTIMS’ RIGHTS
I am deeply committed to championing the rights of crime victims. Victims deserve to be heard, respected, and supported throughout the legal process. I will work tirelessly to ensure that victims are provided with the resources and assistance they need to navigate the criminal justice system. By prioritizing victims’ rights, we can not only seek justice for those who have been harmed, but we can also build a more compassionate and effective legal system for our community.
VOTERS’ RIGHTS
Safeguarding our democracy begins with protecting the fundamental right to vote. I am dedicated to ensuring that every single eligible voter has unimpeded access to the ballot box, free from discrimination or intimidation. I will vigorously investigate and prosecute any attempts to undermine our democratic republic and I am committed to working with the community organizations to expand voter education and access, making our elections fair, transparent, and accessible to all.
What I Will Do:
IMPROVE THE COURT PROCESS IN JACKSON COUNTY
To assist citizens with access to the courts and get them through the judicial system, I plan to focus on three major issues:
TIMELINESS
My goal is to shorten the time frame for filing charges so that individuals can move forward more quickly and victims can see justice being served promptly to ensure that cases are not held in limbo for extended periods of time.
ORGANIZATION
I understand the importance of identifying, creating, and following processes to ensure that justice is done quickly and efficiently and that cases do not fall through the cracks or allow defendants to stack up an inordinate amount of pending cases.
WORKING TOGETHER
Building a collaboration with law enforcement, local organizations, and community members with listening ears and concern leads to mutually beneficial outcomes that aren’t merely self-serving and empty political moves. Communication is key to working through our most pressing issues and done so with professionalism, integrity, and trust.
Where I’m From:
Marsha Cascio-Hale grew up in northern Illinois and became a southern Illinois resident in 2006 when she enrolled at the SIU School of Law. She graduated with her Juris Doctorate and Master of Laws in 2009 and 2010, respectively, and maintains the Jackson County seat of Murphysboro has her hometown. There she resides with her husband Christian Hale, a local boy and her two rescue dogs Bella and Daisy, in Christian’s childhood neighborhood. Her son, Gage, currently resides in Carbondale and is a graduate of Carbondale Community High School and John A. Logan College.
Marsha was unanimously appointed by the Williamson County Board of Commissioners to become the interim Williamson County State’s Attorney in 2022 to finish the term of her predecessor who had resigned before the end of his term. In that position, Marsha supervised 9 attorneys and 13 staff people, hiring the long awaited Victim’s Advocate within 30 days of her hire.
Marsha has a passion for public service, shown by her experience as assistant public defender in Jackson County, handling a large docket of misdemeanor and felony criminal cases, representing clients in court from First Appearance to motions filed for trials. In that position, she worked with judges, prosecutors, attorneys, clients, victims, and victim advocates and probation officers.
Currently, Marsha is “of counsel” at the Southern Illinois Law Center, LLC, in Carbondale, Illinois. As an attorney, she serves clients throughout southern Illinois with protective orders, dissolutions and family cases, guardianships, juvenile cases, adoptions, appeals, etc. ad infinitum. As with her prior legal experience, Marsha works with judges, attorneys, guardians-ad-litem, families, and children.
In addition to her courtroom experience, Marsha has worked as a research attorney at the Fifth District Appellate Court. Her vast research experience draws on her desire to ensure the legal system works at its optimal level. It also gives her the knowledge base to limit the overturning of cases on appeal.
Outside of her legal profession, Marsha also advocates for local businesses with her leadership in the local BNI chapters and membership in BNI WIN (Wealth In Networking) and on the Board of the Carbondale Chamber of Commerce. Additionally, she and her team created, organize, and arrange the yearly Carbondale Spring FEST (just completing the third annual event in the spring of 2024) in the heart of Carbondale. The purpose of the event is to encourage the local community to come together and celebrate our artisans, craftspeople, and small businesses. In working with city governments, chambers, business professionals, and residents, this event boosts not only the local economy but boosts morale as our community springs into warmer weather.
Marsha also sits on the board of Haven House, a southern-Illinois based community-housing program for local veterans.
Marsha resides in Murphysboro with her husband Christian and has one son, Gage, who graduated from Carbondale Community High School and John A. Logan. He resides in Carbondale.
A Short Work History of Marsha Cascio-Hale
As a seasoned steward of justice, Marsha will protect the rights of the citizens of Jackson County.
Marsha Cascio-Hale (right) is sworn in by First Judicial Circuit Court Judge Carey Gill (left) as State’s Attorney as her husband Christian and sister Melissa hold family Bibles for the ceremony.
- Byron Hetzler, The Southern
With 15 years of legal experience, Marsha has studied and practiced many facets of the law, understanding that the Jackson County State’s Attorney’s Office has primarily a duty to prosecute crime but also civil responsibilities owed to the citizens and government of Jackson County.
Marsha WILL optimally, thoroughly, and efficiently run the Jackson County State’s Attorney’s Office, bringing her keen understanding of how the office should run, how authority should be better delegated, and how assistant state’s attorneys should be supported in support and continual training.
Marsha Cascio-Hale (left) is congratulated by Illinois Comptroller Susana Mendoza after being sworn in as State’s Attorney.
- Brian Hetzler, The Southern
Milestones & Accomplishments
Graduated Southern Illinois University School of Law
May 2009
Admitted to the Illinois Bar
November 2009
May 2010
Earned a Master’s Degree in Law
2009 - 2012
Private Practice Attorney
Jackson County Public Defender
2012 - 2015
Fifth District Appellate Court of Illinois Research Attorney who reviewed case records sent from the Circuit Court level, researched related issues, and assisted the judges in generating opinions.
2015 - 2022
First woman- and Democratic woman - Williamson County State’s Attorney, appointed by the Williamson County Board of Commissioners, meeting all responsibilities of the office following the early departure of the prior State’s Attorney.
2022
2023 - Present
Private Practice Attorney at Southern Illinois Law Center LLC.
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This donation page and the button-link, as well as the site the above link takes you to on Stripe, is sponsored by and approved by the Marsha Cascio-Hale Campaign Fund election committee and is approved by the candidate Marsha Cascio-Hale with respect toward the 2024 election cycle, consisting of the primary and general elections in the 2024 election cycle and all related business therein. All campaign financial records will be filed with the Illinois State Board of Elections in proper time as required by statute.
Contact
Feel free to contact us with any questions.
Email
marsha4jcstatesattorney@gmail.com
Photograph courtesy of SIU Foundation photo archive from the SIU Law School 50th Anniversary Gala evening’s events, provided to attendees with downloadable access. (March 2024)