Kankakee County Sample Ballot & Voter Guide 2026
38 candidates are on the November 3, 2026 ballot across 30 Kankakee County races, led by the Kankakee County Clerk contest.
County offices
ClerkDan Hendrickson (R) · Brian D. Vaughn (D)
Dan Hendrickson Republican
Dan Hendrickson is the sitting Kankakee County Clerk, appointed to the office in January 2018, per the Clerk's official website. He is 63 and has spent most of his life in Kankakee County, per the Kankakee Times. No campaign website was found as of September 22, 2026.
Brian D. Vaughn Democratic
- Make the County Clerk's office transparent, easy to reach and easy to use
- Modernize services so residents save time rather than navigate bureaucratic hurdles
- Keep the Clerk's office engaged with and present in the community
Per the campaign site.
About Brian D. Vaughn
Brian D. Vaughn is a Democratic candidate for Kankakee County Clerk. He has worked as a realtor, a chemical operator and an event organizer, and has lived in Kankakee County since second grade, per his campaign site. He is also a marathon runner involved in local community events.
Dan Hendrickson is the Republican nominee and Brian D. Vaughn is the Democratic nominee, per the county clerk's own master specimen ballot. This contest is on the November 3, 2026 ballot.
Full race pageTreasurerNicholas Africano (R)
Unopposed: still on your ballot.
Nicholas Africano Republican
Nicholas Africano is the sitting Kankakee County Treasurer, per the Treasurer's Office website. No campaign website was found as of September 22, 2026.
No Democratic candidate filed. Nicholas Africano is the Republican nominee and is unopposed on the November 3, 2026 ballot, per the county clerk's own master specimen ballot.
Full race pageSheriffMichael D. Downey (R)
Unopposed: still on your ballot.
Michael D. Downey Republican
Michael D. Downey is the sitting Kankakee County Sheriff, having led the office since April 2016, per the Illinois Sheriffs' Association. No campaign website was found as of September 22, 2026.
No Democratic candidate filed. Michael D. Downey is the Republican nominee and is unopposed on the November 3, 2026 ballot, per the county clerk's own master specimen ballot.
Full race pageBoard, District 1Roger Hess (R)
Unopposed: still on your ballot.
Roger Hess Republican
Roger Hess represents District 1 on the Kankakee County Board, per the county board's official roster. No campaign website was found as of September 22, 2026.
No Democratic candidate filed. Roger Hess is the Republican nominee and is unopposed on the November 3, 2026 ballot, per the county clerk's own master specimen ballot.
Full race pageBoard, District 3Peggy Sue Munday (R)
Unopposed: still on your ballot.
Peggy Sue Munday Republican
Peggy Sue Munday appears on the November 3, 2026 ballot for Kankakee County Board, District 3, per the official candidate list. No campaign website was found as of September 22, 2026.
No Democratic candidate filed. Peggy Sue Munday is the Republican nominee and is unopposed on the November 3, 2026 ballot, per the county clerk's own master specimen ballot.
Full race pageBoard, District 5Alice "Tinker" Parker (R)
Unopposed: still on your ballot.
Alice "Tinker" Parker Republican
Alice "Tinker" Parker represents District 5 on the Kankakee County Board, per the county board's official roster. No campaign website was found as of September 22, 2026.
No Democratic candidate filed. Alice "Tinker" Parker is the Republican nominee and is unopposed on the November 3, 2026 ballot, per the county clerk's own master specimen ballot.
Full race pageBoard, District 7Brandi K Curvin (R)
Unopposed: still on your ballot.
Brandi K Curvin Republican
Brandi K Curvin appears on the November 3, 2026 ballot for Kankakee County Board, District 7, per the official candidate list. No campaign website was found as of September 22, 2026.
No Democratic candidate filed. Brandi K Curvin is the Republican nominee and is unopposed on the November 3, 2026 ballot, per the county clerk's own master specimen ballot.
Full race pageBoard, District 9Craig P. Long (R)
Unopposed: still on your ballot.
Craig P. Long Republican
Craig P. Long represents District 9 on the Kankakee County Board and serves as the board's vice chairman, per the county board's official roster. No campaign website was found as of September 22, 2026.
No Democratic candidate filed. Craig P. Long is the Republican nominee and is unopposed on the November 3, 2026 ballot, per the county clerk's own master specimen ballot.
Full race pageBoard, District 10 (2-year unexpired term)Roger Koerner Jr (R)
Unopposed: still on your ballot.
Roger Koerner Jr Republican
Roger Koerner Jr. represents District 10 on the Kankakee County Board, a seat he holds for a two-year unexpired term, per the county board's official roster. No campaign website was found as of September 22, 2026.
No Democratic candidate filed. Roger Koerner Jr is the Republican nominee for the remaining two years of an unexpired term and is unopposed on the November 3, 2026 ballot, per the county clerk's own master specimen ballot.
Full race pageBoard, District 11Ray Schneider (R)
Unopposed: still on your ballot.
Ray Schneider Republican
Ray Schneider appears on the November 3, 2026 ballot for Kankakee County Board, District 11, per the official candidate list. No campaign website was found as of September 22, 2026.
No Democratic candidate filed. Ray Schneider is the Republican nominee and is unopposed on the November 3, 2026 ballot, per the county clerk's own master specimen ballot.
Full race pageBoard, District 13Jessica Andrade (D)
Unopposed: still on your ballot.
Jessica Andrade Democratic
Jessica Andrade represents District 13 on the Kankakee County Board, per the county board's official roster. No campaign website was found as of September 22, 2026.
No Republican candidate filed. Jessica Andrade is the Democratic nominee and is unopposed on the November 3, 2026 ballot, per the county clerk's own master specimen ballot.
Full race pageBoard, District 14 (2-year unexpired term)Ken Lewellen (R) · Gary Ciaccio (D)
Ken Lewellen Republican
Ken Lewellen represents District 14 on the Kankakee County Board, a seat he holds for a two-year unexpired term, per the county board's official roster. No campaign website was found as of September 22, 2026.
Gary Ciaccio Democratic
Gary Ciaccio appears on the November 3, 2026 ballot for Kankakee County Board, District 14 (2-year unexpired term), per the official candidate list. No campaign website was found as of September 22, 2026.
Ken Lewellen is the Republican nominee and Gary Ciaccio is the Democratic nominee for the remaining two years of an unexpired term, per the county clerk's own master specimen ballot. This contest is on the November 3, 2026 ballot.
Full race pageBoard, District 15Amber M Turner (R) · Reginald Bell (D)
Amber M Turner Republican
Amber M. Turner represents District 15 on the Kankakee County Board, per the county board's official roster. No campaign website was found as of September 22, 2026.
Reginald Bell Democratic
Reginald Bell is a Democratic candidate for Kankakee County Board District 15. He previously ran for the Kankakee School District 111 board in 2024, per Shaw Local. No campaign website was found as of September 22, 2026.
Amber M Turner is the Republican nominee and Reginald Bell is the Democratic nominee, per the county clerk's own master specimen ballot. This contest is on the November 3, 2026 ballot.
Full race pageBoard, District 17Steven J. Hunter (D)
Unopposed: still on your ballot.
Steven J. Hunter Democratic
Steven J. Hunter represents District 17 on the Kankakee County Board, per the county board's official roster. No campaign website was found as of September 22, 2026.
No Republican candidate filed. Steven J. Hunter is the Democratic nominee and is unopposed on the November 3, 2026 ballot, per the county clerk's own master specimen ballot.
Full race pageBoard, District 19Patricia Polk (D)
Unopposed: still on your ballot.
Patricia Polk Democratic
Patricia Polk holds a doctorate and represents District 19 on the Kankakee County Board, per the county board's official roster. No campaign website was found as of September 22, 2026.
No Republican candidate filed. Patricia Polk is the Democratic nominee and is unopposed on the November 3, 2026 ballot, per the county clerk's own master specimen ballot.
Full race pageBoard, District 21Steven Taden (R) · Marta Perales (D)
Steven Taden Republican
Steven Taden represents District 21 on the Kankakee County Board, per the county board's official roster. No campaign website was found as of September 22, 2026.
Marta Perales Democratic
Marta Perales is a Democratic candidate for Kankakee County Board District 21. She previously ran for a Kankakee County Board seat in the 2024 general election, per The Vedette. No campaign website was found as of September 22, 2026.
Steven Taden is the Republican nominee and Marta Perales is the Democratic nominee, per the county clerk's own master specimen ballot. This contest is on the November 3, 2026 ballot.
Full race pageBoard, District 23Larry Kerkstra (D)
Unopposed: still on your ballot.
Larry Kerkstra Democratic
Larry Kerkstra represents District 23 on the Kankakee County Board, per the county board's official roster. No campaign website was found as of September 22, 2026.
No Republican candidate filed. Larry Kerkstra is the Democratic nominee and is unopposed on the November 3, 2026 ballot, per the county clerk's own master specimen ballot.
Full race pageBoard, District 25Chad Miller (R) · Charlene Eads (D)
Chad Miller Republican
Chad Miller represents District 25 on the Kankakee County Board, per the county board's official roster. No campaign website was found as of September 22, 2026.
Charlene Eads Democratic
Charlene Eads appears on the November 3, 2026 ballot for Kankakee County Board, District 25, per the official candidate list. No campaign website was found as of September 22, 2026.
Chad Miller is the Republican nominee and Charlene Eads is the Democratic nominee, per the county clerk's own master specimen ballot. This contest is on the November 3, 2026 ballot.
Full race pageBoard, District 27Justin Faber (R)
Unopposed: still on your ballot.
Justin Faber Republican
Justin Faber appears on the November 3, 2026 ballot for Kankakee County Board, District 27, per the official candidate list. No campaign website was found as of September 22, 2026.
No Democratic candidate filed. Justin Faber is the Republican nominee and is unopposed on the November 3, 2026 ballot, per the county clerk's own master specimen ballot.
Full race pageBoard, District 28 (2-year unexpired term)Nathan J. Benoit (R) · Joe Hosek (D)
Nathan J. Benoit Republican
Nathan J. Benoit represents District 28 on the Kankakee County Board, a seat he holds for a two-year unexpired term, per the county board's official roster. No campaign website was found as of September 22, 2026.
Joe Hosek Democratic
Joe Hosek appears on the November 3, 2026 ballot for Kankakee County Board, District 28 (2-year unexpired term), per the official candidate list. No campaign website was found as of September 22, 2026.
Nathan J. Benoit is the Republican nominee and Joe Hosek is the Democratic nominee for the remaining two years of an unexpired term, per the county clerk's own master specimen ballot. This contest is on the November 3, 2026 ballot.
Full race pageSchool board
Regional Superintendent of Schools (Regional Office of Education #32)Patricia High (R)
Unopposed: still on your ballot.
Patricia High Republican
Patricia High is the Regional Superintendent of the Iroquois-Kankakee Regional Office of Education, appointed to the post effective February 2025 after serving as assistant superintendent since 2022 and as the office's administrator of professional development since 2015, per Shaw Local. She holds a doctorate in education from the University of St. Francis. No campaign website was found as of September 22, 2026.
Patricia High is unopposed on the November 3, 2026 ballot for Regional Superintendent of Schools, Regional Office of Education #32 (Iroquois and Kankakee counties), per the Illinois State Board of Elections' certified 2026 general election candidate list. Illinois elects a regional superintendent countywide across the whole region every four years. The name still appears on the ballot; the race is uncontested.
Full race pageJudges
Judge of the Appellate Court, 3rd Judicial District (vacancy of Hon. Mary W. McDade)Jason A. Helland (R) · Margaret "Peggy" O'Connell (D)
Jason A. Helland Republican
Jason A. Helland appears on the November 3, 2026 ballot for Judge of the Appellate Court, 3rd Judicial District (vacancy of Hon. Mary W. McDade), per the county clerk's certified November 3, 2026 candidate list.
Margaret "Peggy" O'Connell Democratic
Margaret "Peggy" O'Connell appears on the November 3, 2026 ballot for Judge of the Appellate Court, 3rd Judicial District (vacancy of Hon. Mary W. McDade), per the county clerk's certified November 3, 2026 candidate list.
Jason A. Helland is the Republican nominee and Margaret "Peggy" O'Connell is the Democratic nominee for the appellate vacancy left by the Hon. Mary W. McDade, per the county clerk's own master specimen ballot. The 3rd Appellate Judicial District covers Kankakee County and a multi-county region of northern Illinois; the same two nominees also appear on La Salle County's ballot for this seat. This contest is on the November 3, 2026 ballot.
Full race pageJudicial Retention, Circuit Court Judge Michael Sabol (21st Judicial Circuit)Nonpartisan race · Michael Sabol
Unopposed: still on your ballot.
Michael Sabol Nonpartisan Incumbent
Sabol is the sitting Judge of the Circuit Court, 21st Judicial Circuit, standing for retention, per the county clerk's own master specimen ballot. No campaign website was found as of September 22, 2026.
Circuit Court Judge Michael Sabol faces a yes/no retention vote to remain in office as Judge of the 21st Judicial Circuit, per the county clerk's own master specimen ballot; retention requires a 60% yes vote under Illinois law. This contest is on the November 3, 2026 ballot.
Full race pageJudicial Retention, Circuit Court Judge William S. Dickenson (21st Judicial Circuit)Nonpartisan race · William S. Dickenson
Unopposed: still on your ballot.
William S. Dickenson Nonpartisan Incumbent
Dickenson is the sitting Judge of the Circuit Court, 21st Judicial Circuit, standing for retention, per the county clerk's own master specimen ballot. No campaign website was found as of September 22, 2026.
Circuit Court Judge William S. Dickenson faces a yes/no retention vote to remain in office as Judge of the 21st Judicial Circuit, per the county clerk's own master specimen ballot; retention requires a 60% yes vote under Illinois law. This contest is on the November 3, 2026 ballot.
Full race pageJudicial Retention, Circuit Court Judge Lindsay Parkhurst (21st Judicial Circuit)Nonpartisan race · Lindsay Parkhurst
Unopposed: still on your ballot.
Lindsay Parkhurst Nonpartisan Incumbent
Parkhurst is the sitting Judge of the Circuit Court, 21st Judicial Circuit, standing for retention, per the county clerk's own master specimen ballot. No campaign website was found as of September 22, 2026.
Circuit Court Judge Lindsay Parkhurst faces a yes/no retention vote to remain in office as Judge of the 21st Judicial Circuit, per the county clerk's own master specimen ballot; retention requires a 60% yes vote under Illinois law. This contest is on the November 3, 2026 ballot.
Full race pageBy address
These seats are elected by district; only the district covering your address is on your ballot.
Kankakee County is split across 5 Illinois Senate and House districts.
Find your districts by addressIllinois Senate: 2 districtsDistricts 15, 17
Illinois Senate District 15Napoleon B. III Harris (D)
Unopposed: still on your ballot.
Napoleon B. III Harris Democratic Incumbent
Napoleon B. III Harris is the Democratic candidate for Illinois Senate District 15 on the November 3, 2026 ballot, per the State Board of Elections' certified candidate list. Napoleon B. III Harris is the sitting member, per the General Assembly's roster. Harris is the sitting state senator for the 15th District and serves as Assistant Majority Leader. A former NFL linebacker, he now works as an entrepreneur and holds degrees from Northwestern University, per the General Assembly's roster. No campaign website was found as of September 7, 2026.
Napoleon B. III Harris (Democratic) is the only candidate on the November 3 ballot; Napoleon B. III Harris 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.
Full race pageIllinois Senate District 17Elgie R. Sims Jr. (D) · Frederick L. Walls (R)
Elgie R. Sims Jr. Democratic Incumbent
Elgie R. Sims Jr. is an attorney who previously served in the Illinois House from 2012 to 2018, per the Illinois General Assembly. He has represented the 17th District in the Senate since 2018 and serves as Majority Caucus Appropriations Leader, per the same source. No campaign website was found as of September 7, 2026.
Frederick L. Walls Republican
Frederick L. Walls is the Republican candidate for Illinois Senate District 17 on the November 3, 2026 ballot, per the State Board of Elections' certified candidate list. No campaign website was found as of September 7, 2026.
Elgie R. Sims Jr. (Democratic), Frederick L. Walls (Republican) meet on the November 3 ballot; Elgie R. Sims Jr. 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.
Full race pageIllinois House: 3 districtsDistricts 29, 34, 79
Illinois House District 29Thaddeus Jones (D)
Unopposed: still on your ballot.
Thaddeus Jones Democratic Incumbent
Thaddeus Jones has represented the 29th District since 2011 and chairs the House Insurance Committee, per his ilga.gov profile. He was the first African-American alderman of Calumet City's Third Ward and founded the Jones Foundation, where he serves as chief executive officer. No campaign website was found as of September 7, 2026.
Thaddeus Jones (Democratic) is the only candidate on the November 3 ballot; Thaddeus Jones 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.
Full race pageIllinois House District 34Cleopatra "Cleo" Cowley (D)
Unopposed: still on your ballot.
Cleopatra "Cleo" Cowley Democratic
- Community safety and violence prevention
- Economic development in the district
- Education and youth empowerment
Per the campaign site.
About Cleopatra "Cleo" Cowley
Cleopatra Cowley is a mother and grandmother who became a gun violence prevention advocate and community activist after her daughter, Hadiya Pendleton, was killed in 2013, per her campaign site.
Cleopatra "Cleo" Cowley (Democratic) is the only candidate on the November 3 ballot. The seat is open: Rep. Nicholas K. Smith (Democratic), the sitting member per the General Assembly's roster, is not on the November ballot. 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.
Full race pageIllinois House District 79Jackie Haas (R)
Unopposed: still on your ballot.
Jackie Haas Republican Incumbent
Jackie Haas is the incumbent Illinois House member for the 79th District, representing Kankakee, Will and Grundy counties, per her official representative website. She has worked as a social worker for 30 years and became CEO of the Helen Wheeler Center for Community Mental Health in 2000, and she served on the Kankakee County Board from 2018 to 2020, per her official representative website. Haas holds a bachelor's degree in Social Work from Valparaiso University and a master's degree from the University of Illinois at Chicago's Jane Addams School of Social Work. No campaign website was found as of September 27, 2026.
Jackie Haas (Republican) is the only candidate on the November 3 ballot; Jackie Haas 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.
Full race pageBallot questions
4 local ballot questions from official county, city and school district lists. Countywide questions appear on every ballot in Kankakee County; city, school district and special-district questions only inside the jurisdiction named. Statewide measures are listed separately.
Central Community Unit School District No. 4 Board Membership ReferendumLocal · Central CUSD 4 is asking voters whether to remove a township-residency restriction on its school board so members are elected purely at large starting in 2029.
Central CUSD 4 is asking voters whether to remove a township-residency restriction on its school board so members are elected purely at large starting in 2029.
Full detailsBourbonnais Public Library District Limiting Tax Rate PropositionLocal · Bourbonnais Public Library District is asking voters within its boundaries to raise its property tax limiting rate to fund library operations.
Bourbonnais Public Library District is asking voters within its boundaries to raise its property tax limiting rate to fund library operations.
Full detailsGreater Momence Fire Protection District Limiting Rate PropositionLocal · Greater Momence Fire Protection District is asking voters within its boundaries to raise its property tax limiting rate for fire and ambulance service.
Greater Momence Fire Protection District is asking voters within its boundaries to raise its property tax limiting rate for fire and ambulance service.
Full detailsBourbonnais Township Road District Abolition PropositionLocal · Bourbonnais Township is asking voters within its boundaries whether to abolish its separate road district and transfer its duties to the township.
Bourbonnais Township is asking voters within its boundaries whether to abolish its separate road district and transfer its duties to the township.
Full detailsSee your full ballot
Voting info and more
Voting info and more
Verify your ballot with the official election office.
Cross-check every race and candidate with the official election office. Official sources are the final word.
Illinois nominated by plurality at the March 17 primary (no runoffs); unopposed nominees still print, and independent and new-party candidates who filed petitions by June 22 join the November 3 ballot once the State Board of Elections rules on objections, per the Board's certified candidate list.
Who is on the ballot in Kankakee County, Illinois on November 3, 2026?
Kankakee County sample ballot 2026: who is running for county clerk, with bios, priorities and campaign sites. Every candidate profile on this page names the official filing or campaign source it came from.
When is the 2026 general election in Illinois?
Election Day is Tuesday, November 3, 2026. Registration deadlines, early voting dates and mail ballot rules for Illinois are listed on the Illinois election hub. Illinois election hub →
What ballot questions are on the Kankakee County ballot?
4 ballot questions: Central Community Unit School District No. 4 Board Membership Referendum; Bourbonnais Public Library District Limiting Tax Rate Proposition; Greater Momence Fire Protection District Limiting Rate Proposition; and more. Each question page explains what a yes vote and a no vote would do.
How do I see my exact Kankakee County ballot?
Enter your ZIP code in the lookup for the statewide and congressional races on every ballot in the county, or a full street address to add the county, city and district contests for that location. Look up your ballot →
Sample ballot by ZIP code in Kankakee County16 ZIP codes
Candidate roster last updated Sep 29, 2026 from official election sources.