Will County, Illinois

Will County Sheriff

2 candidates are tracked for Will County Sheriff on the November 3, 2026 ballot: James "Jim" Reilly and Patrick Jones. Candidate information follows official Will County election filings; verify with the official election office linked below.

About this race

Certified November 3, 2026 general election candidate list, per the Will County Clerk. Sitting Sheriff Mike Kelley is not a candidate on the certified list, per the Will County Sheriff's Office.

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 Will County votes on this seat.

Illinois › Will County › Will County Sheriff

James "Jim" Reilly

Republican

Top priorities

Expanding community policing efforts throughout Will County
Restoring trust in the Sheriff's Office through community policing expertise

Per the campaign site.

Biography

James "Jim" Reilly is a Will County Sheriff's Police Deputy with more than 22 years of law enforcement experience, including eight years with the Joliet Police Department in patrol, K-9 operations and narcotics work, per his campaign site. He holds a Ph.D. in criminal justice and teaches at the University of St. Francis.

Campaign site (opens in a new tab)

Patrick Jones

Democratic

Top priorities

Strengthening partnerships between the Sheriff's Office and residents
Expanding rehabilitation and job-training programs at the Will County Adult Detention Facility
Enhanced mental health support for deputies

Per the campaign site.

Biography

Jones is a sergeant with the Will County Sheriff's Office who joined as a correctional officer in 2001 and later served as a patrol deputy and crime scene investigator, per the campaign site. He is a certified SWAT tactical operator and Crisis Negotiation Team member and has received multiple department commendations, per the campaign site.

Campaign site (opens in a new tab)

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Voting info and more

Questions about this race

Who is running for Will County Sheriff in 2026?

When is the Will County Sheriff election in Illinois?

Election Day is Tuesday, November 3, 2026. Registration deadlines, early voting dates and mail ballot rules for Illinois are on the Illinois election hub at theballotbrief.com.

How do I see my exact Will County ballot?

Enter your ZIP code in the lookup at theballotbrief.com for the statewide and congressional races, or a full street address to add the county, city and district contests for that location.

Verify this race

Candidate roster from official Will County and state election office filings, last verified September 29, 2026. Bios and priorities carry their attribution inline.

Cross-check with the official Illinois election office, or see the full Will County sample ballot and your exact ballot by address.

The rest of your Will County ballot

37 tracked races in Will County, Illinois. Landed here from another county's search? Look up your own ballot below.

Also on your ballot

Will County Regional Superintendent of Schools Will County Board Member, District 1 Will County Board Member, District 2 See all 37 Will County races

Candidate profiles

James "Jim" Reilly, full profile Patrick Jones, full profile Official Illinois election office