Carroll County Sample Ballot & Voter Guide 2026

Unopposed: still on your ballot.

Judd Thruman is on the November 3, 2026 ballot to fill a vacancy on the 15th Judicial Circuit Court (the seat vacated by the Hon. Hauser). The 15th Judicial Circuit covers Carroll, Jo Daviess, Lee, Ogle and Stephenson counties; every voter there votes on this seat. Illinois circuit judgeships are decided in contested partisan elections, unlike judicial retention questions. Listed from the Illinois State Board of Elections' certified 2026 general election candidate list.

Unopposed: still on your ballot.

John D. Hay is on the November 3, 2026 ballot to fill a vacancy on the 15th Judicial Circuit Court (the seat vacated by the Hon. Ward). The 15th Judicial Circuit covers Carroll, Jo Daviess, Lee, Ogle and Stephenson counties; every voter there votes on this seat. Illinois circuit judgeships are decided in contested partisan elections, unlike judicial retention questions. Listed from the Illinois State Board of Elections' certified 2026 general election candidate list.

Joseph H. "Joe" Berning Democratic

Joseph "Joe" Berning is a retired agricultural consultant who operated JB Consulting, advising farmers in northwestern Illinois and southwestern Wisconsin, per his campaign site. Born and raised on a dairy and hog farm north of Galena, he spent a 44-year career in sales, marketing and management, including as a district sales manager for a Fortune 500 agricultural feed company.

Campaign site (opens in a new tab)

Andrew S. Chesney Republican Incumbent

Andrew S. Chesney has represented the 45th Senate District since 2023 after serving as state representative for the 89th District from 2018 to 2023, per his ilga.gov profile. A small business owner from Carroll County, he graduated cum laude from Arizona State University and previously served on Freeport's city council. No campaign website was found as of September 7, 2026.

Joseph H. "Joe" Berning (Democratic), Andrew S. Chesney (Republican) meet on the November 3 ballot; Andrew S. Chesney is the sitting member, per the General Assembly's roster. Party nominees were chosen at the March 17 primary (plurality, no runoffs); independent and new-party candidates qualified by petition. The field is the State Board of Elections' 2026 General Election candidate list (status Active, read September 7, 2026). This seat is elected by district; only the district covering your address appears on your ballot.

Unopposed: still on your ballot.

Tony M. McCombie Republican Incumbent

Tony M. McCombie is the Republican candidate for Illinois House District 89 on the November 3, 2026 ballot, per the State Board of Elections' certified candidate list. Tony M. McCombie is the sitting member, per the General Assembly's roster. McCombie is the sitting state representative for the 89th District and serves as House Minority Leader. She previously served as alderperson and mayor of Savanna and has worked in banking, insurance and real estate, per the General Assembly's roster. No campaign website was found as of September 7, 2026.

Tony M. McCombie (Republican) is the only candidate on the November 3 ballot; Tony M. McCombie is the sitting member, per the General Assembly's roster. Party nominees were chosen at the March 17 primary (plurality, no runoffs); independent and new-party candidates qualified by petition. The field is the State Board of Elections' 2026 General Election candidate list (status Active, read September 7, 2026). This seat is elected by district; only the district covering your address appears on your ballot.