2025 Election

The Will County Clerk said the county’s attorneys plan to appeal a judge’s decision to allow Joliet City Council member Cesar Guerrero on the ballot for the April 1 election for Joliet Township.

Matthew Kennedy: The top three issues facing JTHS right now are student discipline, maintaining and updating the physical buildings, and fostering the ongoing development and maintenance of community partnerships

Sam Coffey: I believe proficiency and state test scores are very closely related to school culture. A big obstacle in regard to test scores is student attendance.

Candidates for the April 1 election gave their views on city issues at a forum held Thursday.

DeKalb mayoral hopefuls got their chance to meet with voters and share their platforms this week during a public forum, where taxes, business growth and the role of city committees took center stage.

Nearly half of the Coloma Township Board of Trustees, including its supervisor, abruptly announced late last week that they were resigning, which led to the appointment of a new supervisor, clerk and two trustees Tuesday.

Cesar Guerrero testified at Thursday a ballot hearing. His attorney says Will County is trying to keep Guerrero off the ballot. County attorney says candidate ignored repeated warnings of ineligibility.

Plans are well underway for July's Fiesta Days festival in McHenry, though one City Council member, who is running for mayor, voted against city permits for the chamber event.

A common question asked about the April 1 referendum is whether it’s advisory or binding. It is. If voters say "yes" then the city will hire a city manager.

Cesar Guerrero is suing while Will County Annette Parker keeps him off ballot.

Second Ward Alderwoman Rebecca Johnson has decided to run as a write-in candidate after being bumped off the April 1 election ballot because of objections to her nominating petition.

Jason Edgcomb: I'll listen to what anyone has to say. I think the pool is a perfect example. I wasn't afraid to tell people I was not in favor of it.

What do you believe is the greatest issue facing the city of Peru at this time and how do you plan to address it? The biggest issue is, and always has been transparency between city hall and the citizens. Too many secrets about how they’re running our town and spend our money.

Steve Weber, St. Charles City Council candidate, on keeping the dam: I am not in favor of removing it unless someone can show how it would improve the quality of life for all of St. Charles residents

Lauren Duddles, St. Charles City Council candidate: I would like to see Saint Charles become more walkable and bikeable, and improve accessibility. I would like to have alternative transportation available

What is the biggest issue facing Peru? Douglas Bernabei: The city is now living paycheck to paycheck. Should the current practices of the incumbent mayor continue the city will no doubt be forced to have massive property tax increase, cuts in service or both

What ideas do you have to grow Peru? Ken Kolowski: Continue to build on our newly developed industrial park, continue to grow our retail base like Popeyes and Ollie’s keep growing Pohar subdivision in which 20 new homes have been built

What are your top priorities for Grafton Township? Sean Cratty: Continue to reduce the levy as needed. We have done this the past 4 years, usually by 5-10 percent

Does Grafton Township have adequate funds needed for roadwork? Dan Ziller Jr.: Yes, our township has consistently had adequate funds for roadwork as providing safe roads is our biggest responsibility.

Tim Carone on his top priority for Algonquin Township: I will work tirelessly to get Grants for aging bridges and infrastructure that need repair

Millie Medendorp: I do not believe that Townships should be consolidated. I believe that when townships are run properly, with the priority to serve it's constituents, they are definitely a benefit to our community.

Richard Yelle on a top priority in Algonquin Township: Replenishing the General Assistance Fund. Providing financial assistance to the needy is one of the primary functions of the township.

Christina Bergbower: We have created these “guidebooks” to map out the Star Innovation Park, the Historical area of Lockport, and up and coming development on Rt. 171 and 9th St, which are the most visible gateways to the city

Clint Hull on redeveloping the Charlestowne Mall property: This is the number one issue our community talks to me about, and while I recognize that it is a tough one to solve, it does not mean that it is unsolvable

Timothy Russ, candidate for Lockport City Council: I would like to see continued economic success and continued business evolvement in our city, while also integrating sustainable solutions to parking, traffic and pedestrian community needs.

Lora Vitek: The dam is important to me as it is to most residents and businesses in our Community. The Fox River is integral to our City and it is incumbent upon us to understand all the facts as it relates to keeping or removing the dam.

Starting Thursday, Feb. 20, early voting for the April 1 election will begin, with polling locations around Illinois open for business. Here's what to know for voting in Lee County.

Kevin Burns: Economic development and environmental sustainability are not mutually exclusive goals. Geneva's commitment to both goals allow us to strike a balance when courting development and collaborating with interested developers

Top priority for Geneva? Karsten Pawlik: Bring back representative government to the city by restoring the power of the alderman. Currently City Government is upside down with the mayor and staff deciding what to address and vote on.

Mike Shorten: While Townships do provide important services to residents, I believe that there are other structural changes to State Statutes that should be made to improve transparency and oversight, eliminate nepotism and do away with the fiefdoms that exist in some Townships

Leda Drain: I’d like to continue building out the services the township provides that would be useful and convenient for our residents.

The Oswego Township Officers Electoral Board on Feb. 13 voted that Jeff Ackley’s name should not appear on the April 1 ballot for the office of Oswego Township Highway Commissioner.

Early voting in McHenry County for the April 1 election has been pushed back to start March 17. Officials said it was because of how the votes in the February primary get tallied.

Ed Muncie, candidate for Campton Hills Village Trustee on his top priority: "First, I want to continue to preserve and protect our semi-rural way of life while promoting responsible growth." Read the full questionnaire here

Frank Binetti, candidate for Campton Hills Village Trustee: "One of the reasons I am running for office is to try and bring unity. not only to the village board but to the community in general."

Bill Hunt of Oglesby announced his bid for election to the Illinois Valley Community College Board of Trustees.

Lynda Marlene Moshage of Waltham Township, rural Utica, recently announced her bid for Illinois Valley Community College Board of Trustees at the April 1 consolidated election.

Matthew Pritz: I will continue to support our strategic plan, which emphasizes the importance of community and parental involvement in the decision-making process.

How can the district improve reading and English proficiency and state test scores? Ziech: I believe that smaller class sizes, particularly in primary grades K-2 with paraprofessionals in each room would make a tremendous difference

We Can Lead Change-Fox Valley is rescheduling its 6:30 to 8 p.m. Meet the Candidates night in St. Charles to Wednesday, March 5 due to inclement weather expected for Wednesday, Feb. 12.

Geneva 4th Ward Alderperson Amy Mayer gave a three-minute introduction Sunday at the League of Women Voters of Central Kane County forum, as her opponent in the April 1 consolidated election did not attend.

Five aldermanic hopefuls for Geneva took questions Sunday Feb. 9 at a forum hosted by the League of Women Voters of Central Kane County at the Geneva Public Library.

Top priority for Fox Lake? Donny Schmit: Continued controlled development. We are updating our comprehensive plan, engaging in marketing, enhancing our parks and working with developers.

Sean Stochl: My top priority is increasing housing options to accommodate families, retirees, and individuals who want to enjoy the unparalleled recreational resources Fox Lake has to offer

McClatchey: I support well-planned multi-family developments as part of a balanced housing strategy. Read the McHenry City Council candidate's full election questionnaire here

Doherty: "The Green Street site provides the opportunity for mixed use development. I would envision supporting a proposal that provides retail, residential housing and a small boutique hotel." Read the McHenry City Council candidate's full questionnaire here

Liz Bishop announced her candidacy for La Salle city clerk.

A forum for Joliet City Council at-large candidates will be held on Feb. 19 at the Joliet Public Library on Ottawa Street. Joliet residents may submit questions in advance.

On top priorities, Morris Mayor Chris Brown: Our city is in excellent financial shape. Continuing to expand our sales tax and commercial property tax bases will help ease the burden placed on our residential property owners.

Will County Democrats are pushing the case for Cesar Guerrero and Kevin "Kollins" Hedemark in township races after the county clerk says they can't be on April ballot.