COUNTY CLERK AIELLO TALKS ABOUT HIS DRUG REHAB, RECOVERY

A choked-up Sangamon County Clerk Joe Aiello Friday apologized for
taking three years to let the community know that he had undergone
drug and alcohol rehabilitation.

Aiello also said he's been "clean and sober" since 2005 and intends to
serve out his term in office. He said he'll decide later if he'll run
again in 2010.

"It'll be a decision in the best interest of my family, the office and
myself personally," Aiello said.

Aiello, 49, revealed the rehabilitation stint in a statement that
followed a disciplinary hearing at the State Police Merit Board office
in Springfield for a state trooper who is accused of having warned
Aiello, a longtime friend, to stay away from a man involved in a local
cocaine ring.

Aiello was granted immunity before the hearing, so his testimony
cannot be used to prosecute him.

As first reported on sj-r.com, Aiello told The State Journal-Register
later Friday that, starting in December 2005, he began driving to
Peoria four nights a week to attend an "intensive outpatient" drug and
alcohol program. The treatment lasted about five months.

He said he then participated in an "extended care program" in
Springfield for about four more months.

"Then I work a 12-step recovery program on a daily basis," he
said.

"I remember when I was a young kid in sixth grade, I broke my leg and
my mother cared ... for me," Aiello told reporters after the hearing.
"She told me I'd be strong at that point where my leg was broken.

"And you know, today, thanks to my God, my family and friends and a
recovery program, I am stronger than I've ever been."

He choked up when he said it has been "a tough time for me and my
family." Aiello is married and the father of two teenage girls and a
12-year-old son.

"I still have some work to do," Aiello said. "I want to thank the
community for standing behind me and supporting me. I want to
apologize to the community for taking this long to address this issue."

Aiello did not say what drugs he used.

During the hearing, Aiello claimed not to remember most details or the
timing of conversations with Trooper R. Michael Jennings. However,
Aiello said Jennings had warned him against continuing the lifestyle
he was involved with at the time and that he should get his life together.

Under questioning, Aiello said he remembered telling an investigator
that Jennings had told him there was video of Aiello coming and going
from the house of one member of the cocaine ring.

That ring member was Gerald Vondebur, one of nine men eventually
convicted in the cocaine ring. Six others, including Aiello, were
granted immunity, cooperated with prosecutors and were never charged.

But when asked Friday exactly when he received the warning, Aiello
said he couldn't remember if it was before or after authorities
searched Vondebur's home or Vondebur was charged.

"Before, after or during," Aiello said. "That's where I'm
confused."

Aiello testified that he has known Jennings for more than 30 years and
they were good friends in high school.

Jennings' lawyer, Guy Studach, said in closing arguments that Aiello's
testimony was "so all over the board, so inconsistent, I don't think
he can be viewed as credible in any way, shape or form."

Studach also said other testimony in the case showed there was no
videotape of Aiello at Vondebur's house.

State police have suggested Jennings' tip to Aiello led to
investigators finding only cocaine residue when they searched
Vondebur's home. Studach, however, suggested Vondebur might have
disposed of drugs in his house because he was on the phone with
another member of the ring, Michael Mohan, when Mohan was arrested.

Studach said it was clear that the only thing Jennings told Aiello was
that Aiello was going places he shouldn't go and hanging out with
people he shouldn't be with.

Ron Cooley, director of the State Police Merit Board, said hearing
officer Edward Williams will make a recommendation in the case to the
five-member board, which meets in Chicago Jan. 8. State police are
seeking sanctions up to dismissal.

Aiello, a Republican, has been county clerk since 1993. The job pays
about $98,000 annually.

Bernard Schoenburg can be reached at 788-1540.