The Hancock-Henderson Quill, Inc.
By Bobi James, Hancock County States Attorney
When I began the journey to today, I never could have guessed what twists and turns I would encounter. I want to share those twists and turns with you all in this article because I believe it is important for Hancock County to know who is representing them. However, it is important to first provide a little background.
I come from a large family and my roots in Hancock County run very deep. I am the oldest of seven siblings born to Rex and Teresa (McKeown) Huston. Both sets of my grandparents are from Hancock County. My parents and in-laws live in La Harpe. Four of us seven siblings live in La Harpe as well.
My grandpa, Bill McKeown, operated a construction business until he retired. My other grandpa, Alfred Huston, built a plumbing and electrical business in La Harpe that my dad then operated until he just recently retired.
My dad now helps one of my brothers who owns an accounting and finance office in La Harpe (Huston Accounting and Finance).
The wife of one of my other brothers owns a boutique in La Harpe (Beautiful and Beloved). The wife of another brother teaches at La Harpe Elementary. My father-in-law also built his own plumbing and electrical business in La Harpe (Plumbing Etc.). We are all dedicated to doing our respective parts to benefit this community.
I spent a large part of my childhood in Missouri where my parents were house parents at a children’s home. Growing up, I was surrounded by children who lived with us because, for one reason or another, they could not live in their own home. I firmly believe Hancock County juvenile cases are some of the most important cases with which I am entrusted, and I credit that belief to having first-hand experience with our most vulnerable population.
My family moved back to Hancock County when I was in seventh grade. I graduated from La Harpe High School in 2001. My husband, Grant, and I got married after I graduated from Lincoln Christian College with my associate’s degree.
I then worked full-time as the secretary for Richard Rasmussen in La Harpe while attending Western Illinois University part-time to get a bachelor’s degree. During this time, Grant and I also started a family. Ethan is now 20 and a sophomore at Monmouth College. Rachel is now 18 and a senior at Illini West.
In my final two semesters at WIU, I decided I wanted to be a lawyer. Making that decision was the first big turn in my journey. I had worked for the only attorney in La Harpe for the previous five years and was excited about the prospect of a new challenge. I only applied to one law school – Southern Illinois University. When I got the acceptance letter, I screamed in the middle of the post office (in La Harpe of course).
The move away was quite a twist. Our children were five and three. We were leaving our home, our family, our friends, and our church. Everyone was beyond supportive though. With the distance, we had difficulty finding housing so we moved without a house in place. I imagine our parents were worried sick. We lived in a tent in a state park for five days before we finally signed a lease. The day after we got moved in to a house, there was a torrential rain storm. Without a doubt, God was watching over our journey.
Law school was a journey in and of itself. Before leaving, I sat down with now Ninth Judicial Circuit Associate Judge William Rasmussen and he helped me to be ready for that first day. I basically had my whole law school career mapped out within the first month. I knew I wanted to get in, get done and get back home so that’s what I did. We lived in southern Illinois for two years. We then were able to move back, and I completed one externship with then Ninth Judicial Circuit Chief Judge McClintock and one externship with then Hancock County State’s Attorney Jim Drozdz. In December of 2011, I graduated from Southern Illinois University School of Law. I was sworn in as an attorney in May of 2012.
My husband and I discussed where we wanted to land after law school and home was the only real option. We wanted our children to grow up around family and friends in a community that we knew was safe and would help shape them into the people they are today.
I opened my own firm in 2012 and merged with the March McMillan firm in 2013 while maintaining my office in La Harpe until 2018 when I joined the Hancock County State’s Attorney’s Office.
After hanging out my own shingle, I was fortunate to experience another twist. The March McMillan firm reached out to me about joining them. I was thrilled to be able to draw from their experience and resources to provide quality representation for clients. I advanced to the position of partner a short time later and completed a second bachelor’s degree – this time in accounting.
After then Hancock County State’s Attorney Jason Pohren passed away, I was approached about filling the position of Assistant State’s Attorney. This was a hard, left turn because I had never really considered practicing criminal law. However, I had learned long before that when God opens doors for me (especially as it relates to employment), then I should just walk right through. Almost all of the employment opportunities in my life have come by way of doors that open at exactly the right time and have been brought about by something more than just an application. I took the leap and jumped in with both feet. I have never looked back.
When Rachel Mast took the position of Henderson County State’s Attorney, I knew I wanted to step up and be Hancock County’s State’s Attorney. In November of 2022, I was appointed to fill the vacancy left by Mrs. Mast. What I did not anticipate was the twist of state’s attorney being synonymous with politician.
Politics is a new experience for me. I have learned so much and appreciate all of the support I have received along the way. In November, I learned someone else may be interested in the position. Last month, we all learned that was no longer the case.
If there is one major takeaway I have from this first campaign effort, it is to expect the unexpected and to lean on those who support you when the unexpected happens. That may not be the typical thing a person learns from politics, but I do not believe I am a typical politician.
My time in private practice, everything that I have learned from other attorneys with whom I have been fortunate enough to work, and my life experiences have all shaped who I am as the Hancock County State’s Attorney.
I love my job and my colleagues. I am fortunate to call Hancock County home, and I look forward to serving you in this next term.