Will County early voters make their choice known for the March 19, 2024, primary. It’s not too late to register and vote. The rundown of the candidates vying for a seat.
Incumbent Democrat Jennifer Bertino-Tarrant and Republican Charles “Chuck” Maher will not face challengers in the primary for county chief executive officer. This means they will win the primary and advance to the Nov. 5 general election.
Jim Glasgow will serve his eighth term as Will County state’s attorney as the Democrat was not challenged by a GOP candidate. He will serve another four years.
To serve residents of District 6 in Will County Board, two people will be elected in the March 19 primary with one being a Democrat and the other a Republican. Running is Denise Winfrey, Janet Diaz, both incumbents, and Herbert Brooks Jr., all Democrats, and Enrique Ruiz, a lone Republican. Brooks is running to regain his seat on the board for District 6. He previously served on the Will County Board for over 15 years but in 2022 he had to run as a write-in candidate after he was removed from the ballot for lack of valid signatures on his petition. Diaz won the seat.
Running for county board’s District 7 seat are Democrats David Lozano, Dawn Bullock and Demond Dorris and Republicans Elizabeth “Beth” Naglich and incumbent Vince Logan of Joliet. The GOP winner will face the victor of the Democratic primary in the Nov. 5 general election.
District 10 board filers are Democrats Meta Mueller, an incumbent, and Kelly Hickey and Republicans David Scriven-Young and incumbent Julie Berkowicz the top Democratic vote getter will face the GOP winner in November.
All Will County Board seats are four-year terms.
Incumbent Democrat Rachel Ventura is hoping to retain her seat as representative of the Illinois State Senate District 43. She will be challenged by GOP Jen Monson in the Nov. 5 election. District 43 serves the residents of Romeoville, Bolingbrook, Joliet, Lockport, Shorewood, Fairmont, and Preston Heights neighborhoods. Ventura and Monson do not have primary challengers.
Challenger Republican Katie Deane-Schlottman is hoping to oust incumbent Democrat Meg Loughran Cappel as representative of Illinois State Senate District 49 in November. The district encompasses Joliet, Plainfield, Bolingbrook, Romeoville, Shorewood, Crest Hill, and Plainfield, Joliet, and Lockport townships. Neither have challengers in the March primary.
U.S. Rep. Lauren Underwood is not facing a Democratic challenger in the March 19 primary. But the incumbent will face Republican candidates James Marter and Charlie Kim on Nov. 5. Underwood’s Illinois 14th Congressional District includes Joliet, Plainfield, Oswego, Naperville, and Yorkville.
Likewise, Illinois State Rep. Natalie Manley (D) does not face a Democratic or Republican challenger during the upcoming March election cycle. Incumbent Manley’s General Assembly 98th Representative District covers Bolingbrook, Crest Hill, Crystal Lawns, Romeoville, and Joliet.
Will County residents will also make their choices known in the election of judges.
Democratic candidates for judge of the Appellate Court Third Judicial District to fill the vacancy of the Honorable Tom M. Lytton are Democrats John Anderson and Joe Hettel. The winner will face Republican candidate Kenton Skarin in November.
Since there are no challengers to their petitions on March 19, Democrat Linda Davenport will face Republican Jason Helland in November. They are seeking to fill the vacancy of the Honorable Mary K. O’Brien as judge of the Appellate Court Third Judicial District.
Democrat Lance Peterson will square off against Republican John Costello Jr. in November as neither one face challengers in the March primary to fill the vacancy of the Honorable Daniel L. Schmidt as judge of the Appellate Court Third Judicial District.
Democratic candidates for judge of the Circuit Court 12th Judicial District to fill the vacancy of the Honorable Susan T. O’Leary are Phil Villasenor and Colette Stafford. The Democrat who wins the primary will face Republican Art Smigielski in November.
Candidates for the county’s 12th Judicial Circuit Court 2nd Subcircuit are Democrats Jennifer M. Lynch and Rolonda V. Mitchell. Republican Katie Rabenda is the only filer for the party.
Residents in Bolingbrook will decide if the village clerk position should remain an elected position or if it should be appointed by the mayor; and the Lockport Township High School 205 referendum will ask voters to approve a $85 million school building bonds issue.
Will County residents began early voting Feb. 8 at the clerk’s office at 302 N. Chicago St. in downtown Joliet from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. On Monday, March 4, additional early voting locations will open at more than 20 locations throughout Will County.
Residents can find their polling place, vote by mail options and early voting locations by visiting the Will County clerk’s office’s Web site at www.willcountyclerk.gov.