Effingham County Sample Ballot & Voter Guide 2026

Unopposed: still on your ballot.

Chapin Rose Republican Incumbent

Chapin Rose is the incumbent state senator for the 51st District, per the official Illinois Senate website. No campaign website was found as of September 27, 2026.

Chapin Rose (Republican) is the only candidate on the November 3 ballot; Chapin Rose 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.

Steve McClure Republican Incumbent

Steve McClure was born March 8, 1984, in Springfield, and was elected in November 2018, sworn into office on January 9, 2019, per his Illinois Senate biography. He is a former prosecutor who served as chief of the Juvenile Division and later in the Felony Division of the Sangamon County State's Attorney's Office, per the same source. He graduated from Valparaiso University School of Law and holds two bachelor's degrees from Arizona State University in political science and history. No campaign website was found as of September 20, 2026.

Steve McClure (Republican) is the only candidate on the November 3 ballot; Steve McClure 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.

Adam M. Niemerg Republican Incumbent

Adam M. Niemerg is a Teutopolis native who lives in rural Dieterich in Effingham County, per his Illinois House of Representatives biography. He graduated from Teutopolis High School in 2002, attended Lake Land College, and earned a bachelor's degree in history from Eastern Illinois University, then worked as a senior claims adjuster for Country Financial, per the same source. Niemerg was sworn into the Illinois House on January 13, 2021, representing Clay, Edwards, Effingham, Jasper, Lawrence, Richland, Wabash, Wayne, and White counties. No campaign website was found as of September 20, 2026.

Adam M. Niemerg (Republican) is the only candidate on the November 3 ballot; Adam M. Niemerg 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.

Brad Halbrook Republican Incumbent

Top priorities

• Address costs and enforcement issues tied to the migrant crisis at the border
• Oppose gun-ban lawsuits and support Second Amendment rights
• Address state pension funding and tax incentive policy

Per the campaign site.

About Brad Halbrook

Halbrook is the incumbent Illinois state representative for the 107th District and was appointed Minority Spokesman for the Government Services Appropriations Committee, per the campaign site.

Campaign site (opens in a new tab)

Brad Halbrook (Republican) is the only candidate on the November 3 ballot; Brad Halbrook 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.

Blaine Wilhour Republican Incumbent

Blaine Wilhour is a farmer and business owner, born March 10, 1982, and a graduate of St. Elmo High School, per his Illinois House of Representatives biography. He served in the Illinois Army National Guard from 1999 to 2005 and is a former member of the Fayette County Board, per the same source. No campaign website was found as of September 20, 2026.

Blaine Wilhour (Republican) is the only candidate on the November 3 ballot; Blaine Wilhour 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.