Michael D. Downey
Republican
Biography
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.
Kankakee County, Illinois
Kankakee County Sheriff
Kankakee County, Illinois
Kankakee County Sheriff
One candidate is tracked for Kankakee County Sheriff on the November 3, 2026 ballot: Michael D. Downey. Candidate information follows official Kankakee County election filings; verify with the official election office linked below.
About this race
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.
What this office does
Sheriff. The sheriff runs the county's law enforcement agency, operates the county jail, provides courthouse security and serves court papers such as warrants, subpoenas and evictions. In many counties the sheriff's office is the primary police force for areas outside city limits. The sheriff hires deputies and manages the office's budget within what the county board approves.
This race. Every voter in Kankakee County votes on this seat. One name is on the ballot for this seat.