Illinois

Illinois Valley Voter Guide for April 2025 local election

Published

2 months ago

March 20, 2025

Illinois Valley Voter Guide for April 2025 local election

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.

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”

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Illinois

Chicago dust storm: Videos show blanket of dust, low visibility in Illinois – What to do

Published

16 hours ago

May 17, 2025

Press Room

Chicago dust storm: Videos show blanket of dust, low visibility in Illinois – What to do

A dust storm hit Chicago on Friday, with authorities warning other Illinois cities about zero-visibility conditions. The National Weather Service (NWS) has issued multiple Dust Storm Warnings for northern Illinois and northwest Indiana this evening, warning of life-threatening driving conditions due to rapidly moving dust clouds and strong winds. The warnings are in effect until 8:00 PM and 8:30 PM CDT, respectively.

A dust storm hit Chicago on Friday(X/NWS)

Read More: Illinois dust storm tracker: Avoid these streets in Chicago, Naperville and Bloomington

At approximately 6:45 PM CDT, a massive dust wall was observed moving north at 45 to 50 mph, sweeping across the Chicagoland area from Sandwich to Chicago’s South Side and extending into northwest Indiana.

Automated weather stations, including Chicago Midway Airport, reported wind gusts near 60 mph and visibility reduced to less than a quarter mile.

Northern Illinois Counties Hit Hard

The warning covers wide swaths of northeastern Illinois, including:

Cook County: Englewood, Austin, Summit, Oak Lawn, South Shore, Roseland, and Chicago’s Loop area.

DeKalb County: Hinckley and southeastern portions.

DuPage County: Lisle, Westmont, Oakbrook Terrace, and Glendale Heights.

Kane County: Aurora, Elgin, Gilberts, and South Elgin.

Kendall, La Salle, and Will Counties: Lisbon, Sheridan, Preston Heights, and areas near Joliet.

Northwest Indiana Also in Danger Zone

The dust storm is also hammering northern Indiana, affecting:

Lake County: Hammond, Whiting, Griffith, East Chicago, and Dyer.

Porter County: Valparaiso, Chesterton, Burns Harbor, Beverly Shores, and South Haven.

Hazards and Safety Alerts

Visibility: Dropping below ¼ mile.

Wind Speeds: Gusts exceeding 50–60 mph.

Impact: “Dangerous, life-threatening travel,” according to emergency management officials.

Several major interstates are impacted, including I-55, I-57, I-80, I-90, I-94, I-294, and I-355 in Illinois, and Interstates 65, 80, 90, and 94 in Indiana.

What to Do

The NWS urges all drivers caught in the storm to pull off the road, turn off lights, and keep feet off the brake to avoid rear-end collisions.

This is the third dust storm warning issued by NWS Chicago this season — a rare and dangerous event for the region. Residents are advised to monitor updates closely and stay indoors until the storm passes.

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Illinois

Another round of severe weather threatens Illinois, Indiana as more than 100,000 remain without power

Published

1 day ago

May 16, 2025

Press Room

Another round of severe weather threatens Illinois, Indiana as more than 100,000 remain without power

More than 43,000 people in Illinois and more than 84,000 in northwest Indiana were without power Friday morning after severe thunderstorms swept through the Chicago area, leaving behind major storm damage, including downed power lines and snapped trees that fell on houses and cars.

The damage comes as another round of potentially strong-to-severe storms threaten the Chicago area, starting in the afternoon.

As of 5:20 a.m., 43,674 Illinois customers were facing power outages, ComEd’s outage map showed. The majority of those outages were in Cook County, where more than 30,000 people were without power.

Thousands of power outages were also recorded in Will County, the map showed, along with hundreds more in McHenry, Lake and DuPage Counties.

In an alert on ComEd’s website, the utility company said crews were actively working to restore outages.

“Based on the history of similar storms of this size, across the ComEd service area, we expect 80% of outages to be restored by 11 p.m. on Friday, 5/16 with remaining outages restored by 3 p.m. on Saturday, 5/17,” the alert said.

In northern Indiana, NIPSCO said approximately 84,600 customers were without power due to heavy rainfall and 60 mile-per-hour winds.

“Due to the extent of the damage and the ongoing inclement weather conditions, an estimate of when power will be restored is not able to be determined at this time,” the utility said.

In Chicago, the storm delayed Beyoncé’s show at Soldier Field for several hours, with photos and video posted to social media showing rain pouring down on the venue.

The storms also led to area-wide tornado watches, and briefly caused a ground stop at O’Hare International Airport.

In the suburbs, multiple wind gusts of nearly 70 miles per hour were reported in DeKalb County, with powerful winds knocking down traffic lights in suburban Lombard.

Branches were broken, trees snapped in half and roof damage was reported in an area of Manhattan near Sweedler Road and Gougar Road after the storms tore through Will County, officials said.

Large hail was also present all around the area, especially in Lake County in Illinois, where golf ball-size hail was reported in Winthrop Harbor and Gurnee, according to trained weather spotters.

Lake County also saw plenty of wind damage, with a tree smashing into a house in Antioch.

In Chicago’s West Ridge neighborhood early Friday morning, photos showed a massive downed tree on parked cars and blocking the entire road.

More severe storms possible

Friday’s forecast calls for a warm and mostly sunny day with highs in the mid 80s. And while most of the area is expected to stay dry, there is a chance for an isolated, strong-to-severe storm in the afternoon and evening, the NBC 5 Storm Team said, especially to the southeast and in northwest Indiana.

According to the Storm Prediction Center, northwest Indiana and some of Chicago’s southeastern suburbs including Kankakee, were at a “slight” risk of severe weather, which ranks as level two of five. The rest of northeastern Illinois was at a “marginal” risk, which ranks as level one.

[4:50 AM CDT 5/16/2025] There is another threat for severe storms this afternoon and evening. The greatest storm coverage is expected east of I-55. Damaging wind gusts and large hail are the main severe threats today. #ILwx #INwx (1/3) pic.twitter.com/1RnGit0Nhg
— NWS Chicago (@NWSChicago) May 16, 2025
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“Scattered severe thunderstorms are possible late this afternoon into early this evening,” the National Weather Service said, “mainly for areas along and east of Interstate 55.”

According to the NWS, the main severe weather threats are large hail and damaging winds, with gusts outside storms as high as 45 mph.

Fire weather watch

All of northeastern Illinois will go under a fire weather watch beginning at 10 a.m. due to the strong, southerly winds and low humidity.

“Any fire that develops will catch and spread quickly,” the NWS said. “Outdoor burning is not recommended.”

Into the weekend, temperatures are expected to dip, the NBC 5 Storm Team said, with more spring-like weather in the 60s.

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Illinois

Illinois House passes legislation requiring more thorough background checks for police hiring after Sonya Massey killing

Published

2 days ago

May 15, 2025

Press Room

Illinois House passes legislation requiring more thorough background checks for police hiring after Sonya Massey killing

The Illinois House passed legislation on Thursday requiring more thorough background checks before police officers are hired, less than a year after a Sangamon County Sheriff’s deputy shot and killed Sonya Massey.

Massey was shot and killed last July by former Sangamon County Sheriff’s deputy Sean Grayson last summer inside her home near Springfield.

Grayson has been fired and charged with first-degree murder in Massey’s killing, and questions have been raised about why he was hired in the first place, given concerns about his conduct at past police jobs.

Grayson shot and killed Massey as she was checking on a pot of boiling water in her kitchen while saying “I rebuke you in the name of Jesus,” but prosecutors have said Grayson asked her to move the pot off the stove, and that she never posed a danger that justified the use of lethal force.

By a 101-12 vote on Thursday, the Illinois House approved legislation sponsored by state Rep. Kam Buckner (D-Chicago) that would require more comprehensive background checks before hiring police or other law enforcement officers in Illinois.

Law enforcement agencies would not be allowed to make a final job offer for police officers without first inspecting all of their prior employment records.

Anyone applying for a police officer job in Illinois would be required to authorize all previous employers, including other law enforcement agencies, to provide full employment records – including “duty-related physical and psychological fitness-for-duty examinations; work performance records,” and any criminal records or records of other investigations connected to their conduct on the job.

Before Grayson was hired in Sangamon County, questions about his conduct were well-documented by other police agencies. But those concerns were somehow never shared with the Sangamon County Sheriff’s office during the hiring process.

In his fifth police job, he refused to terminate a high-speed chase and drove more than 110 mph — only coming to an end when he hit a deer. A report from a department where Grayson was employed also said he struggled with report writing and was aggressive in his pursuit for drugs.

“It’s just sad that we had to have had a tragedy like this with the Sonya Massey murder to realize that we are doing things wrong,” said Buckner. “This is an opportunity to have some checks and some balances and some processes to make sure that we don’t find ourselves in the same position and situation that we did when Sean Grayson was hired.”

The legislation was passed unanimously by the Illinois Senate last month, and will go to Gov. JB Pritzker’s desk.

Grayson is scheduled to go on trial in October in Peoria County. The Illinois Supreme Court is weighing a request from Grayson to be released from jail ahead of his trial.

Todd Feurer

Todd Feurer is a web producer for CBS Chicago. He has previously written for WBBM Newsradio, WUIS-FM and the New City News Service.

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