Illinois
Illinois Valley Voter Guide for April 2025 local election
:quality(70)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/shawmedia/OQVGFBQNMNFVDOWFWQAON7VEIQ.jpg?ssl=1 "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.
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”
Illinois
Severed arm in Illinois lake: Court records say body parts found in freezer, half-brother claimed self-defense
ILLINOIS – Editor’s note: This story contains graphic details that may be disturbing to some readers. Viewer discretion is advised.
New details have emerged in the case of a severed arm bearing a distinctive Chicago Bears and Green Bay Packers tattoo that was recovered from an Illinois lake, leading investigators to identify the victim.
James Adams, 26, and Robin Turner, 62, have been charged in connection with the death of 38-year-old Dalewayne Turner. Both face charges of concealment of a homicidal death, a Class 3 felony, and dismembering a human body, a Class X felony.
The backstory:
Two charged after severed arm with Packers tattoo found in Illinois lake, police say
Will County court documents released Monday identify Adams as Dalewayne Turner’s half-brother and Robin Turner as his wife.
According to the documents, Adams admitted to fatally stabbing Dalewayne Turner, while Robin Turner did not contact law enforcement after the killing.
Investigators allege the two took extensive steps to conceal the crime, including using bleach to clean the home and mask odors, repainting portions of the house, removing and burning wood paneling in a fire pit, and disposing of rugs.
Court records describe a large amount of blood at the scene and state that Dalewayne Turner’s body was dismembered. Some of his remains were placed in a freezer that investigators say was purchased specifically for that purpose.
Authorities allege the remains were placed in trash bags, weighted down, sealed with duct tape and transported to Lake Mattoon, where they were dumped in an effort to prevent the victim from being found and identified.
Prosecutors said one weighted bag came apart, allowing Dalewayne Turner’s tattooed arm to surface. Boaters discovered the arm on the evening of June 28.
Pictured is an arm tattoo of a skeleton holding a Green Bay Packers helmet. (Illinois State Police)
A dive team later recovered additional weighted bags containing human remains from the lake.
What they’re saying:
After Adams was taken into custody June 30, court documents say he confessed to the killing but claimed he acted in self-defense.
“The one thing I will say is that I did it, but I did it out of self-defense. I will tell you guys that,” James said.
During an interview with investigators June 30, Robin Turner said Adams and Dalewayne Turner argued in the living room before Adams stabbed him multiple times.
According to court documents, Adams later told Robin Turner that Dalewayne Turner either fell or was pushed down a staircase after the stabbing and that he placed the body in a freezer.
Robin Turner told investigators she believed the body was still in the freezer, which she said she purchased from Best Buy on June 19 after her previous freezer broke.
She also told investigators that the repainting and remodeling inside the home were part of renovation work completed between June 21 and June 30.
On July 1, Illinois State Police agents searched the home and found a downstairs freezer with what appeared to be a bloodstain dripping from a drain hole, according to court records.
Investigators opened the freezer and found a partial body consisting of a torso, neck and head, but no limbs, court documents state.
What’s next:
Both Robin Turner and Adams are scheduled to appear in court at 9 a.m. Thursday for a detention hearing.
The Source: The information in this article was provided by Will County court documents and previous FOX Chicago reporting.
Catholic Charities Fort Worth developed the Padua program, which is an anti-poverty program that ‘meets clients where they are.’
In the heart of one of Chicago’s most challenged neighborhoods, a proven, dignity-centered approach to breaking the cycle of poverty is about to take root.
Goodwill Greater Milwaukee & Chicago recently announced a major partnership with Catholic Charities Fort Worth (CCFW) to bring the innovative Padua program to the greater Englewood community in south Chicago.
Named after St. Anthony of Padua, patron saint of the poor, the program pairs participants with a team of two dedicated caseworkers for long-term, client-led support, with no arbitrary time limits. The only eligibility requirements for the program are that the client be 18 years old and willing to work.
The collaboration marks a significant expansion of the model, which was developed in 2015 by CCFW and validated through a randomized controlled trial by the University of Notre Dame’s Lab for Economic Opportunities (LEO).
Participants in the study were 25% more likely to achieve full-time employment, earned 46% higher incomes, and were 64% more likely to secure stable housing.
Brendan Perry, director of Padua National at Catholic Charities Fort Worth, told EWTN News that the program was in response to the nonprofit “seeing a lot of repeat customers,” which, “in the nonprofit world is not a good thing.”
“We weren’t truly creating economic mobility,” Perry recalled of the organization’s earlier efforts. “Padua was our answer to that challenge.”
Perry said the program was born from a simple but powerful question: What if?
“What if the way we’ve always addressed poverty isn’t the way it has to be?” he explained. “What if we created a program where clients set their own goals, timelines were built around people instead of funders, and we holistically addressed a client’s root issues instead of just the symptoms of their poverty? And what if we could prove it through research and create a model that was replicable?”
Unlike many short-term workforce programs, Padua’s two-person case management teams (a case manager and caseworker) provide holistic support in employment, housing, education, and emotional resilience. Clients define their own goals and remain in the program for as long as needed.
Perry said that people begin their journey with Padua from many different places and often come from a place of crisis. While Padua “is not a crisis program,” Perry said the program helps clients get to a place of stability.
“Once theyʼre there, weʼre gonna be sticking with you for the long haul to get to a point of strength and of prosperity.”
One client who has benefited from the Padua program is Lisa, a divorced mother of three who faced single parenthood, housing instability, unemployment, and mental health issues among her children.
“When I was in my marriage, there was a lot of breaking up and getting back together,” Lisa said. “There was a lot of moving around, and I believe thatʼs how my son developed separation anxiety, which led to depression, and [he] became highly suicidal.”
Lisa’s caseworker helped her find counseling for her son as well as for Lisa, who learned coping skills that helped her better care for her son.
“I pour into his life daily by reminding him that you are handsome, you are smart, you are capable, you have a mum and a family that loves you. You are loved, you deserve to be alive. This world needs you,” she said.
The Padua program helped her attend culinary school and taught her financial skills like budgeting and saving.
Lisa is now employed, has a stable home for her children, and has attended a culinary arts program with dreams of becoming a catering and private chef.
She gives credit to her caseworker, Taelor: “I call her my guardian angel because … sheʼs just been so loving and supportive.”
Perry added that the partnership with Goodwill reflects a shared commitment to human dignity.
“We’re not just expanding the program — we’re ensuring more families have access to the tools they need to build bigger, brighter futures.”
Clayton Pryor, chief mission officer for Goodwill Greater Milwaukee & Chicago, emphasized how naturally the program aligns with their existing work.
“At Goodwill, we believe lasting change starts with meeting people where they are,” Pryor told EWTN News. “Padua allows us to go deeper with individuals who need more intensive, long-term support. It’s client-led, research-backed, and focused on real stability — not just a job, but a foundation for life.”
The Illinois program is scheduled to launch in October out of Goodwill’s new Neighborhood Opportunity Center in Englewood. Pryor said the organization aims to serve 50 clients in the first year, scaling to more than 200 over five years.
Traneice West was pronounced dead shortly after 2 a.m. at UChicago Medicine AdventHealth Bolingbrook, authorities said. West had been in a crash involving a pedestrian and multiple vehicles on the southbound interstate near Weber Road, according to the coroner’s office.
Illinois State Police are investigating, authorities said.
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