FRANKLIN COUNTY — The Franklin County Board accepted the resignation of Franklin County State’s Attorney Evan Owens at Tuesday night’s meeting.

Owens was recently appointed as an associate judge of the Second Judicial Circuit. It is made up of 12 southern Illinois counties including Franklin, Hamilton, Jefferson, Wayne and White. Owens has served as State’s Attorney in Franklin County since 2010. His last day will be Aug. 30.

Board Chairman Randall Crocker says a special County Board meeting is being planned for Monday at 4:30 at the Campbell Building to talk with those interested in the job. Then another meeting is set to take place on Friday, Aug. 30 at Noon at the Campbell Building where Crocker will appoint a new State’s Attorney.

Crocker says he has had interest in the job from those inside and outside of the State’s Attorney’s office. Since Owens is a Democrat, Crocker says by state statute, Owens’ successor will also have to be a Democrat. Whoever is chosen will finish up Owens’ term which will be up for election next year.