All good things must sometime come to an end.
So they say, but for Shirley Dillinger Booker, that end came last night, when she retired as chairman of the Jackson County Democrat Central Committee after 16 illustrious years of leading one of the most dominant political parities in down state Illinois.
Booker will continue serving as Jackson County treasurer -- a post she has held since 1976 -- and as a Democrat precinct committeeman, along with the many civic and social positions she holds in the county.
"It was just time," she said of letting go of the Democrat reigns here. "It was just time to let someone else do it."
And that someone else is John Evans.
Evans -- chairman of the Jackson County Board, was elected last night by Jackson County Democrat precinct committeemen at the Plumbers and Pipefitters Hall in Murphysboro to succeed Booker.
He was not available for comment, but is generally seen as a leader similar to Booker, who will keep Jackson County Democrats unified and the party healthy.
When Booker came onto the scene 16 years ago, the party was anything but unified. Following the death of the very popular party chairman C. Ray Chancey, who had led the party for 25 years, Jackson County Democrats had fought and bickered for five years.
When Booker came in that changed, largely because of her diplomatic skills and her uncanny ability to bring people together.
"She did a great job," Jackson County Clerk Larry Reinhardt said of Booker's 16 years of leading the party. "It has definitely been a pleasure working with her."
Reinhardt, who served as one of four vice chairman under Booker, said Booker "was definitely what the party needed at the time."
"She is a very good mediator with an ability to bring everyone together and she did just that," he said.
Booker said she decided last Friday not to run again for the local party's highest office.
"I had been thinking about it for sometime, but on Friday I just woke up and said to myself, 'it's time.'"
Booker has been battling an infection in her leg for several weeks, but said her decision to retire had nothing to do with her health.
"I am fine now. Like I said, it's just time. I have other interests (civic and social groups) that I need to devote more time to."
She said she has only "great memories" of her time in leading the party. She said she especially "enjoyed working with everyone."
Booker predicted the peace and unity that has been the party's trademark the last 16 years will continue under the new leadership.
"The party is doing fine. We are unified and we have money in the bank," she said.
Will she miss it?
"I'll miss working with the people," she said.
Besides continuing with her office as treasurer -- which comes up for reelection this November -- Booker will also continue to serve as a precinct committeeman in Carbondale Precinct 1. And, as a committeeman, she will have some say in the party.
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All good things must sometime come to an end.
So they say, but for Shirley Dillinger Booker, that end came last night, when she retired as chairman of the Jackson County Democrat Central Committee after 16 illustrious years of leading one of the most dominant political parities in down state Illinois.
Booker will continue serving as Jackson County treasurer -- a post she has held since 1976 -- and as a Democrat precinct committeeman, along with the many civic and social positions she holds in the county.
"It was just time," she said of letting go of the Democrat reigns here. "It was just time to let someone else do it."
And that someone else is John Evans.
Evans -- chairman of the Jackson County Board, was elected last night by Jackson County Democrat precinct committeemen at the Plumbers and Pipefitters Hall in Murphysboro to succeed Booker.
He was not available for comment, but is generally seen as a leader similar to Booker, who will keep Jackson County Democrats unified and the party healthy.
When Booker came onto the scene 16 years ago, the party was anything but unified. Following the death of the very popular party chairman C. Ray Chancey, who had led the party for 25 years, Jackson County Democrats had fought and bickered for five years.
When Booker came in that changed, largely because of her diplomatic skills and her uncanny ability to bring people together.
"She did a great job," Jackson County Clerk Larry Reinhardt said of Booker's 16 years of leading the party. "It has definitely been a pleasure working with her."
Reinhardt, who served as one of four vice chairman under Booker, said Booker "was definitely what the party needed at the time."
"She is a very good mediator with an ability to bring everyone together and she did just that," he said.
Booker said she decided last Friday not to run again for the local party's highest office.
"I had been thinking about it for sometime, but on Friday I just woke up and said to myself, 'it's time.'"
Booker has been battling an infection in her leg for several weeks, but said her decision to retire had nothing to do with her health.
"I am fine now. Like I said, it's just time. I have other interests (civic and social groups) that I need to devote more time to."
She said she has only "great memories" of her time in leading the party. She said she especially "enjoyed working with everyone."
Booker predicted the peace and unity that has been the party's trademark the last 16 years will continue under the new leadership.
"The party is doing fine. We are unified and we have money in the bank," she said.
Will she miss it?
"I'll miss working with the people," she said.
Besides continuing with her office as treasurer -- which comes up for reelection this November -- Booker will also continue to serve as a precinct committeeman in Carbondale Precinct 1. And, as a committeeman, she will have some say in the party.
