Kendall County Sample Ballot & Voter Guide 2026

Ernie R. Marcelain works as a manager at a small family-owned printing company and is from Yorkville, per his 2026 Shaw Local candidate questionnaire. He is a former union member and firefighter/EMT who attended Waubonsee Community College for business, per the same source. Marcelain is the Democratic nominee for Illinois Senate District 38 on the November 3, 2026 ballot.

Jared Ploger is a longtime teacher and union leader who serves as president of Valley View Council Local 604 of the American Federation of Teachers, per his campaign site. He was chosen by Democratic Party county chairs to fill the 42nd District Senate ballot vacancy left by outgoing Sen. Linda Holmes, per Capitol News Illinois.

Edgardo "Eddie" Perez is the Republican candidate for Illinois Senate District 42 on the November 3, 2026 ballot, per the State Board of Elections' certified candidate list. Perez is a U.S. Air Force veteran with a 30-year law enforcement career, including service as an Illinois State Police Inspector and Batavia Police sergeant, per the Illinois Senate Republican Victory Fund's candidacy announcement. Since retiring in 2016 he has worked as Defensive Tactics Coordinator for the Kane County Sheriff's Tactical Operations Division and founded a martial arts program for at-risk youth. He is running against incumbent Sen. Linda Holmes. No independently verifiable campaign site was found. No campaign website was found as of September 7, 2026.

Caroline McCree works as a Health Information Management Chart Correction Specialist at Mass General Brigham, per her 2026 Shaw Local candidate questionnaire. She holds an associate degree in Health Information Technology and an RHIT credential through AHIMA, and is from Yorkville, per the same source. McCree is the Democratic nominee for Illinois House District 75 on the November 3, 2026 ballot.

Jesse Rodriguez is the Republican candidate for Illinois House District 83 on the November 3, 2026 ballot, per the State Board of Elections' certified candidate list. Rodriguez is a lifelong Aurora resident, Navy veteran and small-business owner who runs a paint franchise. He holds a finance degree and an MBA from Loyola University Chicago and is the Republican nominee for the 83rd District, per his campaign site.

Saba Haider is a DuPage County Board commissioner and small-business owner who teaches yoga and meditation, per the Daily Herald. She holds a master's degree in wildlife science and serves on the DuPage County Board of Health, per the same source.

Brian Scopa is the Republican candidate for Illinois House District 84 on the November 3, 2026 ballot, per the State Board of Elections' certified candidate list. Scopa is a retired U.S. Navy Commander with 22 years of military service, including six deployments, per his campaign site. He managed budgets exceeding $60 million in taxpayer funds during his naval career. He is running for the open 84th District seat, which incumbent Rep. Stephanie Kifowit is not seeking re-election to.

Jessica Dixon Heitman is the Democratic candidate for Illinois House District 97 on the November 3, 2026 ballot, per the State Board of Elections' certified candidate list. Dixon Heitman was appointed in July 2026 to complete the 97th District term and is the Democratic nominee for the seat in November. She is president of the communications firm Dixon/Heitman Collective and holds a bachelor's degree in communications and English from the University of Missouri, per Capitol News Illinois. No campaign website was found as of September 7, 2026.

Gabby Shanahan, a graduate of Plainfield Central High School, has worked in non-profits and community service and describes her life as centered on service at school, in non-profits, and as a mother, per the campaign site.