This spring, La Salle and Bureau county voters get to decide who will make the important decisions regarding their communities, schools, townships, fire departments, parks and libraries.

Early voting has started with voting to conclude on Election Day, April 1.

To vote in La Salle County

To vote by mail, go to lasallecountyil.gov/288/Vote-by-Mail where applications for vote-by-mail ballots can be found. The last day for the county clerk’s office to accept applications is Thursday, March 27.

Early voting has started at the La Salle County Clerk’s Office, 707 E. Etna Road in Ottawa.

Hours are 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday through Monday, March 31, and 8 a.m. to noon Saturdays, March 22 and 29.

To vote in Bureau County

To vote by mail, go to il-bureau.ballotrequest.net where applications for vote-by-mail ballots can be found. The last day for the county clerk’s office to accept applications is Thursday, March 27.

Early voting has started at the Bureau County Clerk and Recorder’s Office, 700 S. Main St. in Princeton.

Hours are 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday through Monday, March 31, and 9 a.m. to noon Saturdays, March 22 and 29.

Early voting is also available 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday, through Friday, March 28, at the Princeton Moose Lodge, 1339 N. Euclid Ave., and 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Friday, through Friday, March 28, at Spring Valley City Hall, 215 N. Greenwood St.

Below are all competitive races in La Salle and Bureau counties with candidate questionnaires and coverage as available. This voter guide will be updated if additional candidates submit their questionnaires and more coverage completed.

Table of Contents

MUNICIPALITIES

City of Earlville

Mayor

Mark S. Actis Jr. (incumbent)

Kathleen H. Wolfe

City of La Salle

Mayor

Jeff Grove (incumbent): Candidate questionnaire

Gary C. Hammers: Candidate questionnaire

Jamie Hicks: Candidate questionnaire

Tyler Thompson: Candidate questionnaire

Our coverage: “4 candidates share their views in La Salle mayoral forum”

Photos: Mayoral candidates speak at La Salle-Peru Township High School community forum

Alderperson, Ward 1

William T. Sexton

James “Diz” Demes: Candidate questionnaire

Alderperson, Ward 2

Tom Ptak (incumbent): Candidate questionnaire

Dawn Hicks: Candidate questionnaire

Alderperson, Ward 3

John “Doc” Lavieri (incumbent): Candidate questionnaire

Jessica Dergance

Nicole Girton: Candidate questionnaire

Danielle “Dani” Piland: Candidate questionnaire

Alderperson, Ward 4

Brianne Hicks: Candidate questionnaire

T. Boo Herndon (incumbent)

City of Mendota

Mayor

David W. Boelk (incumbent)

Shallen Gross: Candidate questionnaire

Alderperson, Ward 1

James Fitzpatrick (incumbent): Candidate questionnaire

Joel Perez: Candidate questionnaire

Alderperson, Ward 4

Vicki Johnson (incumbent): Candidate questionnaire

Matt Ramer

Our coverage: “Mendota headed in the right direction, candidates say”

Photos: Mendota candidate participate in forum

City of Peru

Mayor

Ken Kolowski (incumbent): Candidate questionnaire

Douglas P. Bernabei: Candidate questionnaire

Our coverage: “Ken Kolowski’s record versus Doug Bernabei’s voice for change heard at Peru mayoral forum”

Photos: “Photos: Mayoral candidates speak at Peru library forum”

City Clerk

James “Jamey” Mertel

Sherry Mayszak

Alderperson, Ward 2

Jason Edgcomb (incumbent): Candidate questionnaire

Tom Riordan: Candidate questionnaire

City of Princeton

City Council member, Vote for 2

Donald P. Saletzki

Michael McCall (incumbent)

Martin T. Makransky (incumbent)

City of Spring Valley

Mayor

Melanie Malooley Thompson (incumbent)

Debra L. Perino

Alderperson Ward 3

Jake Kelley

J.C. Heerdt

City of Streator

Council member, Vote for 2

Scott Scheuer

Daniel Danko

Christopher Thomas

Tanya Zehr Pearce

Justin Skinner

City of Wenona

Mayor

Mary Jane Bade (incumbent)

John Simmons

Alderperson, Vote for 3

Kym Healy (incumbent)

Randy Lohr

Brian Karczewski

Brock Flanigan

William Simmons (incumbent)

Matt Zulz (incumbent)

Village of Annawan

Mayor

Sarah Tenpenny

Tim Wise (incumbent)

Trustee, Vote for 3

Bogdan Taran

Kate Sturtewagen

Kimberly Goodley (incumbent)

Matthew Nordstrom

Village of Cedar Point

Commissioner, one unexpired two-year term

Kirsten Kasperski

Paul Williams

Village of DePue

Village President

Daniel J. Hoffert

Richard Hernandez

Clerk

Brooke Smith

Tiffany Torri

Hillary Grilc

Trustee, Vote for 3

Tanya Miscevic

William Laicoff

Raymond Scott Werkau

Lawrence Lamkin

Village of Grand Ridge

Trustee, Vote for 3

Anne M. Hinterlong (incumbent)

Steven M. Fulkerson

James D. Stricklin (incumbent)

Kimberly A. Olney (incumbent)

Village of Leland

Commissioner, Vote for 2

Miguel Ocon (incumbent)

Brian Niles

Ryan Finley

Matthew Clifford

Jennifer M. Williams is running unopposed for a two-year term.

Village of Mineral

Trustee, Vote for 3

Lindsay Eden

Anthony Solomon

Steve R. Jacobs

Jason Ruff

Raymond Calsyn Jr.

Village of Ransom

Village President

Dale K. Johnson

Paige Talty

Randy Stillwell

Stillwell, who died in December 2024, will still appear on the ballot.

Village of Rutland

Village President

Dan Krischel

Samantha Montgomery (Write-in candidate)

Trustee, Vote for 3

Tanner Haller

Al Stunkel

Cody Montgomery

Christina Jenkins

Sydni Tooley

Wendy Petrimoulx

Village of Sheffield

Village President

Sheila Yepsen

Karen Milby

Trustee, Vote for 3

Karen M. Taylor

Jonathan Gosch

Donald Jamison

Jamie Swearingen

John Patrick Barry

David L. DeVoss (incumbent)

Patricia Corwin (incumbent) is running unopposed for a two-year term.

Village of Tiskilwa

Clerk

Linda L. Kling (incumbent)

Minerva Andriotis

Village of Tonica

Village President

Eric Skinner

Arthur Foltynewicz

John Coons

Trustee, Vote for 3

Mark Zimmer

Thomas Goskusky

Raymond Martinez

William Tregoning

Village of Wyanet

Village President

James Blanford

Cordell Wedekind

TOWNSHIPS

Information regarding incumbents in some Bureau County township races was not immediately distinguishable. Updates will be made as information is gathered. Email newsroom@mywebtimes.com if you have information on any of these races.

Berlin Township

Clerk

Tricia Burden

Rachael Biagioni

Brookfield Township

Trustee, Vote for 4

Raymond C. Hladovcak (incumbent)

Joseph M. Ugolini (incumbent)

David Gage (incumbent)

Vernon L. Klaw

Monica Lynn Barry

Bruce Township

Clerk

Heather Patterson

Kathy J. Harris

Susan K. Yusko

Trustee, Vote for 4

Harold “Randy” Baumrucker (incumbent)

Joseph M. Harcharik

Sara McCurdy

Leah Washington

Steven Biroschik

Chad “Toad” Winterrowd (incumbent)

Anthony “AJ” Simmons

Eddy H. Hunter

Eden Township

Clerk

Janet Gould

Jackie Anderson

Highway Commissioner

Dawson Ploch

Mark D. Steele

John Goskusky

Trustee, Vote for 4

Richard Alleman (incumbent)

Shawn J. Micheli (incumbent)

Adam Anderson (incumbent)

Kurt Keutzer (incumbent)

Arthur Foltynewicz

Fall River Township

Trustee, Vote for 4

Cindy Eutis (incumbent)

Randy Hooper (incumbent)

Denise Imig (incumbent)

Al Kocher (incumbent)

Linda Gebhardt

Freedom Township

Highway Commissioner

James Stephen Glade

Travis M. O’Connell

Mike W. Woods (incumbent)

Gold Township

Highway Commissioner

Jay Blackert

Michael Fisher

Greenville Township

Highway Commissioner

Peter Johnson

Jeff Cady

Groveland Township

Highway Commissioner

Troy Petrimoulx

Michael Snyder (write-in)

Hall Township

Highway Commissioner

Dale Bernard

Monte Moreno

Indiantown Township

Highway Commissioner

Christopher Hicks

Cole Jilderda

La Moille Township

Highway Commissioner

Richard Gross (incumbent)

Joseph Fahs

Mendota Township

Highway Commissioner

Carlos S. Ambler (incumbent)

Marvin Fultz

Northville Township

Highway Commissioner

William Pfau

John L. Middleton (incumbent)

Ophir Township

Highway Commissioner

Ethan S. Sack

Jackson Prather

Daniel McConville

Ottawa Township

Highway Commissioner

Adam White

James Feely

Otter Creek Township

Supervisor

Lawrence Durdan

Raymond Boyles (incumbent)

Peru Township

Trustee, Vote for 4

Steven Weberski

Scott Wm. Miller

Robert P. Etzenbach

Thomas Stevenson

David P. Potthoff

Charles L. Trovero Sr.

Richland Township

Clerk

Karen Breckenridge (incumbent)

Kevin Gahan

Trustee, Vote for 4

Melvin R. Mertel

Karen S. Schmitt

Matt Vincent

Raymond J. Wolf (incumbent)

Kevin Knecht (incumbent)

Donald Miller (incumbent)

Dianne Cooper (incumbent)

Rutland Township

Trustee, Vote for 4

Timothy Caputo (incumbent)

Laurena Miller (incumbent)

Glen Nelson (incumbent)

Paul Kelley

Mark Boe (incumbent)

Selby Township

Highway Commissioner

George Glover

Michael J. Bastion

South Ottawa Township

Trustee, Vote for 4

Scott Munks (incumbent)

Matt Skelly (incumbent)

Nick Allegretti (incumbent)

Lori Bongartz

Jane Schomas

Vermillion Township

Highway Commissioner

Kevin Schiffbauer

Allen Leffleman (incumbent)

Wallace Township

Highway Commissioner

Nick Skromme

Erik Wheeler

Kevin Callahan (incumbent)

Trustee, Vote for 4

Marty Brown (incumbent)

Steve Pillion (incumbent)

Jason Corcoran (incumbent)

Michael Lyons (incumbent)

Ed W. Kahon

Waltham Township

Supervisor

Benjamin R. Hagenbuch

Johnathan Hagenbuch

Trustee, Vote for 4

Joshua Mammen

Benjamin Graham

Nicholas Barto

Katie Corcoran

Darrell Corcoran

LIBRARY DISTRICTS

Earlville Public Library

Trustee, Vote for 3

Deborah Larson

Kathleen Eager (incumbent)

Mary Bender (incumbent)

Stephanie Eller

La Moille-Clarion Public Library

Trustee, Vote for 4

William Schwabenland (incumbent)

Sarah Stuepfert (incumbent)

Jennifer Williams

Nataleigh Wamhoff

Regina McCoy

Jacob Bonnell

Leepertown Township Public Library

Trustee, Vote for 3

Sarah Siebert (incumbent)

Margaret A. Jaskowiak (incumbent)

Cyndi Sondgeroth (incumbent)

Karen Podobinski (incumbent)

No one filed for an unexpired two-year term.

Somonauk Public Library

Trustee, Vote for 4

Christopher J. Gresk (incumbent)

Marilyn Abbott (incumbent)

Thomas J. Harmon (incumbent)

James Beal

Kathleen Rhoden

Gina Skofich (incumbent)

Kinsay Smith

SCHOOL DISTRICTS

Seneca Grade School District 170

Board member, Vote for 4

Chad Humphreys

Andrew Applebee (incumbent)

Jeff Brockman

Dustin Geier

Nicholas B. Mancuso (incumbent)

Sandwich School District 430

Board member, Vote for 3

Erik D. Englehart (incumbent)

Candace Oropeza

John Morse (incumbent)

Traci Griffin-Lappe

Putnam County School District 535

Two-year term, Vote for 2

Douglas Smith

Mitch Wilson

Nathanael Bird (incumbent)

Michael Borri (incumbent)

Four-year term, Vote for 4

Matthew Holst (incumbent)

Thomas “Tom” Wiesbrock (incumbent)

Reed Wilson (incumbent)

Scott Zemanek

Amy Fay

Wethersfield School District 230

Board member, Vote for 4

Paula Jo Baker (incumbent)

Andrew Verstraete

Stephen P. Newman (incumbent)

Allyson H. Schiltz (incumbent)

Angela Ryan (incumbent)

Prophetstown-Lyndon-Tampico School District 3

Board member, Vote for 4

James Melton (incumbent)

Mallory DeMay

Whitney M. Mitchell-DeWitte (incumbent)

Tya M. Boucher (incumbent)

Katie Selburg

An unexpired two-year term is also up this election but no candidate has filed in the race.

Streator Township High School District 40

Board member, Vote for 3

Matthew J. Blakemore

Gary F. Wargo (incumbent)

Kimberly Ann Zavada

Richard M. Tutoky (incumbent)

Megan Black

COLLEGE DISTRICTS

Black Hawk College

Trustee, Vote for 2

Douglas L. Strand (incumbent)

Mark Carlson

Jon A. Looney

Dougal Nelson

Illinois Valley Community College

Six-year term, Vote for 2

William Hunt

Lynda Marlene Moshage

Todd Volker

Illinois Central College

Trustee, Vote for 2

Gale Thetford

Christine Bare-Kemper

Diane Unes Lamb

Kim Armstrong

Ron Budzinski is running unopposed for a two-year term.

Joliet Junior College

Six-year term, Vote for 3

Maureen Flanagan Broderick (incumbent)

Elaine Bottomley

Nancy Garcia (incumbent)

Timothy John Broderick

Robert Wunderlich

Timothy Bradley

Our coverage: “Joliet Junior College trustee candidates say programs need broader appeal for more students”

Sauk Valley Community College

Trustee, Vote for 2

David Edelbach

Tom Demmer (incumbent)

Danelle Burrs (incumbent)

Waubonsee Community College

Six-year term, Vote for 2

Daniel Jaquez

Greg Dobbins

Tina Medlin Willson

Richard “Rick” Guzman is running unopposed for a four-year term.

FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICTS

Sandwich Fire Protection District

Judd Weber

Justin Gifford

Bill Novicki

Jacob Johns

REFERENDUMS

City of Oglesby

Shall the city of Oglesby adopt the managerial form of municipal government?

Our coverage: “Yes, it’s binding: The Oglesby referendum isn’t advisory”

From the opinion page: “Vote yes for Oglesby city manager on April 1″

“Vote no for Oglesby city manager on April 1″

Waltham School District 185

Shall the Waltham School District 185 board issue $9.96 million in bonds to build and equip an addition to the Waltham School building?

Ohio High School District 505

Shall the Ohio High School District 505 school board be allowed to close Ohio High School and send students to Amboy School District 272 or Bureau Valley School District 340?

Our coverage: “Ohio residents ask about potential high school closure; question to be on April 1 ballot”

Xavier and Illinois last met in the Maui Invitational in 2019.

• Xavier plays Illinois Friday night in the first round of the NCAA Tournament.
• Illinois is favored, but Xavier is playing in a familiar venue.
• Xavier must slow down Illinois’ offense to advance in the NCAA Tournament.

Xavier is into the 64-team field of the NCAA Tournament after pulling out a thrilling 86-80 victory over the Texas Longhorns in the First Four Wednesday night in Dayton.

It’s a quick turnaround for Xavier, but the Musketeers will play in another familiar venue as they battle No. 6 Illinois Friday at Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee.

Xavier had lost its first six games against Marquette at Fiserv Forum before a 59-57 upset of the then-No. 7 Golden Eagles Jan. 18. It will be a neutral site contest this time around when Xavier takes on an Illinois program that is very familiar with the pressures of the NCAA Tournament.

3 keys to a Xavier Musketeers’ win over Illinois Fighting Illini in NCAA Tournament 1st round

1. Xavier must slow down one of nation’s highest-scoring offenses

In the aforementioned Xavier upset of Marquette, the Musketeers turned one of their best defensive efforts to pull out their only Quad 1 win of the year.

Xavier held Marquette to just 37.1% shooting (8-for-29 from three-point range), kept the Golden Eagles off the free-throw line (3-for-7) and forced 13 turnovers.

It will be an even bigger test Friday as Xavier tries to punch its ticket to the second round. Illinois ranks No. 15 in KenPom in offensive efficiency. Illinois is No. 11 in scoring offense at 83.8 points per game and does a lot of damage near the rim as the No. 18 shooting team from two-point range.

Xavier always likes to play fast and that matches what Illinois likes to do as the No. 18 team in the country in adjusted tempo, per KenPom.

Can Xavier’s defense Friday be the unit that showed up in the second half against Texas and held the red-hot Longhorns to 33 points on 37.5% shooting?

2. Can Xavier force long misses?

Illinois loves shooting from the perimeter. The Fighting Illini attempt 46.9% of its field goals from beyond the arc, which is the 30th-highest rate in the country.

The problem? Illinois is the fifth-worst three-point shooting team in the NCAA Tournament (No. 316 in the nation). Xavier’s defense must be tough near the rim against a bigger lineup and force Illinois out of what it does best and into more attempts from the perimeter. Illinois connects from downtown at just a 31.1% clip, which was 17th in the 18-team Big 10.

Xavier’s defensive rebounding will be tested

In Tuesday’s pre-tournament press conferences in Dayton, Xavier sophomore Dailyn Swain said the Musketeers’ improvement on the glass helped propel the team down the stretch to an at-large bid.

The numbers back it up. Per BartTorvik.com, Xavier ranks No. 8 in the country in defensive rebounding since the Musketeers hit a “low point” in early January after giving up 20 offensive boards and 22 second-chance points in a home loss to St. John’s.

Xavier lost the rebounding battle to Texas, 33-28 and gave up nine offensive boards.

Illinois will certainly test Xavier on the glass, and it will be on the key matchups to watch. Illinois might be a bottom-half shooting team, but the Fighting Illini clean up their misses as they ranked No. 18 in the country and first in the Big 10 in offensive rebounding.

Xavier Musketeers vs. Illinois Fighting Illini

Tip: Friday, 9:45 p.m. (E.T.), Fiserv Forum (17,385)

TV/Radio: CBS/Westwood One

Ratings: Xavier is No. 41 in KenPom and Illinois is No. 20. Xavier is No. 45 in the NCAA NET Rankings and Illinois is No. 17.

History: The two teams have split four all-time meetings with Xavier winning the last two. The Musketeers won, 65-59, at then-U.S. Bank Arena in Dec. 2006 and in the Maui Invitation in 2019.

More: Here’s what happened the last time Brad Underwood’s Illinois team played Xavier

Illinois Fighting Illini scouting report

Record: 21-12

Head coach: Brad Underwood (164-100 at Illinois, eighth season)

Offense: 83.8 ppg

Defense: 74.6 ppg

Overview: Brad Underwood has now taken Illinois to the NCAA Tournament in five consecutive seasons and broke through last year with a Sweet 16 appearance.

With its streaky shooting, Illinois was a Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde team throughout the year. The Fighting Illini spent 10 weeks in the AP poll, but dropped seven of 11 between Jan. 19-Feb. 22 before a three-game winning streak to end the regular season.

Illinois raced past Iowa in the opening round of the Big 10 Tournament before getting trounced by Maryland, 88-65, in the quarterfinals March 14.

Projected starting lineup

(Pos., Height, Stats)

Kylan Boswell (G, 6’2″, 11.9 ppg)

Kasparas Jakucionis (G, 6’6″, 15 ppg)

Tre White (G, 6’7″, 10.7 ppg)

Will Riley (F, 6’8″, 12.5 ppg)

Tomislav Ivisic (C, 7’1″, 12.5 ppg)

Xavier Musketeers scouting report

Record: 22-11

Head coach: Sean Miller (185-86 at Xavier, eighth season)

Offense: 78.3 ppg

Defense: 71.2 ppg

Projected starting lineup

(Pos., Height, Stats)

Dayvion McKnight (G, 6’0″, 9.5 ppg)

Ryan Conwell (G, 6’4″, 16.7 ppg)

Marcus Foster (G, 6’5″, 8 ppg)

Dailyn Swain (G/F, 6’8″, 10.5 ppg)

Zach Freemantle (F, 6’9″, 17.2 ppg)

Players to watch

Xavier’s biggest concern against a tall Illinois lineup is sophomore center Tomislav Ivisic. The 7-footer from Croatia is averaging 12.5 points and 7.7 rebounds per game and could impact several shot attempts against a Xavier offense that gets its shots blocked at one of the nation’s highest rates.

Xavier’s offense got its biggest bump from Marcus Foster at UD Arena as the veteran guard went 8-for-9 from the field and knocked down four 3-pointers for a season-high 22 points. Foster hadn’t scored in double figures since Feb. 15. Illinois ranks No. 143 defensive against 3-pointers and is top 20 defending inside the arc.

Xavier also got 22 points off the bench against Texas thanks to the hot shooting of Dante Maddox Jr. and Jerome Hunter.

Hunter, the only player around for the Sweet 16 run since Freemantle was hurt, hit multiple three-pointers for the first time in the calendar year.

Xavier vs. Illinois pick and score prediction

Xavier’s defense got a wakeup call after giving up 89 points against Marquette in a Big East Tournament loss. Xavier won’t have the home-court advantage it had at UD Arena, but the Musketeers use another all-in defensive effort to upset the Fighting Illini.

Xavier’s offense should get quality looks against an Illinois defense that was 14th in the Big 10 in scoring (74.6 points per game) and the Musketeers are equipped to win in a track meet.

Five teams that started in the First Four have advanced to the second weekend of the NCAA Tournament. There’s reason to believe Xavier could follow that trend.

Final score prediction: Xavier 81, Illinois 77

A tornado warning has been issued for Orland Park, Mokena, Tinley Park, New Lenox, and Frankfort in Illinois due to severe weather.

A tornado warning has been issued for Orland Park, Mokena, Tinley Park, New Lenox, and Frankfort in Illinois due to severe weather and thunderstorms affecting the state.

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The National Weather Service (NWS) issued an alert stating “a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado was located over Mokena, moving northeast at 45 mph. Flying debris will be dangerous to those caught without shelter. Mobile homes will be damaged or destroyed. Damage to roofs, windows, and vehicles will occur. Tree damage is likely.”

“This dangerous storm will be near Frankfort Square, Homer Glen, Tinley Park, Orland Park, Frankfort, and Mokena around 5:15 PM CDT.”

This is a breaking news story and will be updated with more information

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