CHARLESTON - A local drug prosecutor's position that's been vacant for the past few months likely will be filled soon.

Coles County and state officials involved in filling the job think someone should be ready to begin working by the end of January. The position is to prosecute drug cases, mostly in Coles County but elsewhere as well, from arrests by the East Central Illinois Task Force, a Mattoon-based drug investigation agency.

Tim Willis, a former Moultrie County state's attorney, was the last person to have the job but left several months ago to take a position prosecuting federal drug cases with the U.S. Attorney's district office in Cape Girardeau, Mo.

State's Attorney Steve Ferguson has been handling the prosecution of the county's drug cases since Willis' departure and said it's been a challenge to add that to his regular responsibilities, which include handling the county's juvenile abuse and neglect cases.

"It's been difficult," Ferguson said. "It's an additional duty I've taken on."

The Illinois Appellate Prosecutor's Office provides a grant to cover the salary of special prosecutors for drug cases, currently three positions covering 11 counties.

Pat Delfino, the project's director, agreed with Ferguson it's likely someone will be hired for the job by the end of the month. The deadline for applications is Friday.

"We're getting some qualified individuals," Delfino said.

He wouldn't provide any details about the applications, such as how many there have been so far or from where they've come. But he did say all the applicants have met the "rather precise qualifications" for the position, including at least five years of criminal prosecution experience.

Ferguson said he'll get a chance to review the applicants and give his input on the choice for the job, but the decision is up to the state office. The counties where the prosecutors work provide their benefits, but the attorneys are state employees, Delfino said.

Dave Fopay can be reached at dfopay@;jg-tc.com or 348-5733.