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Asbell resigns as Peoria County Sheriff, clearing way for Watkins to take office

Peoria County Sheriff Brian Asbell
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Peoria County Sheriff Brian Asbell

Peoria County Sheriff Brian Asbell is resigning his office, effective Friday.

Asbell was appointed sheriff in 2017 after longtime Sheriff Mike McCoy stepped down. Asbell later won election to the office in 2018.

The sheriff has expressed his frustrations in recent months with the Peoria County Board's budgeting decisions for his office, and difficulties addressing the persistent staffing challenges at the jail. Those factors ultimately weighed into his decision not to seek another term.

"The last couple of years have taken a toll on both me and my family and I just don’t have 'much gas left in the tank,'" Asbell said in an open letter. "Major operational and budgetary decisions need to be made over the next couple of months and these decisions will have multi-year implications. The new leadership team of Chris Watkins need to make these decisions, not me."

Watkins, who recently won the Republican primary to become the next Peoria County Sheriff, will assume the responsibilities of the office until a formal appointment is made by the county board.

Watkins is running unopposed in the November election. He will be sworn in by Chief Judge Katherine Gorman in a private ceremony on Friday morning.

Tim is the News Director at WCBU Peoria Public Radio.