This St. Patrick’s Day, Will County voters can head to the polls in addition to sampling a green beer.

March 17 marks the 2026 primary, where voters can pull a Democratic or Republican ballot to pick who appears on the ballot come November. All voters, partisan or not, can weigh in on referendum questions.

The deadline for candidates to file was Nov. 3.

Will County Board

Eight of 11 county board districts will be on the ballot in the March primary and again in November.

Voters choose up to two from each party to run in the November election, when two board members are elected from each district.

• District 1: Incumbent Member Katie Deanne Schottman, R-Joliet and Debbie Militello are seeking the two Republican spots in the primary. Incumbent Joe Van Duyne, D-Wilmington, is the only Democrat in the primary.

• Debbie Militello’s candidate questionnaire.

• District 2: Neil “Muggsy” Gallagher of Manhattan is seeking one of the two spots in the Republican primary along with incumbents Judy Ogalla, R-Monee, and Frankie Pretzel, R-New Lenox. Bob Howard is the lone candidate in the Democratic primary.

• Neil “Muggsy” Gallagher’s candidate questionnaire.
• Judy Ogalla’s candidate questionnaire.
• Frankie Pretzel’s candidate questionnaire.

• District 3: Incumbent Sherry Newquist, D-Steger and Marc McKirdie are running in the Democratic primary. Incumbent Daniel Butler, R-Frankort, is running in the Republican primary.

• Sherry Newquist’s candidate questionnaire.
• Marc McKirdie’s candidate questionnaire.

• District 4: Both primaries are contested. Republican incumbents Stephen Balich, R-Homer Glen and James Richmond, R-Mokena, face challenges from Michael Lepore and Pawel J. Tyrala in the Republican primary. Three Democrats are running: William Pratt, Sheri Boniecki-Cooling and Kevin Koukol. Koukol was removed from the ballot following a successful objection but is now running as a write-in candidate.

• Stephen Balich‘s candidate questionnaire.
• James Richmond’s candidate questionnaire.
• William “Bill” Pratt’s candidate questionnaire.
• Sheri Boniecki-Cooling’s candidate questionnaire.

• District 5: The Republican primary is contested with incumbent David Oxley, R-Lockport, James “JJ” Balonek and David Palya in the race. In the Democratic primary, incumbent Sherry Williams, D-Crest Hill, and Karen Johnson are running.

• David Oxley’s candidate questionnaire.

• District 8: This primary is uncontested. Two Democrats, incumbent Mica Freeman, D-Plainfield, and Michael Crowner are running in that primary. Incumbent Mark V. Reavis, R-Plainfield, is the only Republican running.

• Mica Freeman’s candidate questionnaire.

• District 9: Also uncontested, incumbent Destinee Ortiz, D-Romeoville and Alex Zapien are the two Democratic candidates, while incumbent Raquel M. Mitchell, R-Bolingbrook, is the only Republican running.

• District 11: Four candidates are running in the Democratic primary. They are incumbent Jacqueline L. Traynere, D-Bolingbrook, Tyler Giacalone, Sheldon L. Watts and Barbara Ann Parker. The one Republican in that primary is Steven Smith.

• Jacqueline Traynere’s candidate questionnaire.
• Tyler Giacalone’s candidate questionnaire.
• Sheldon Watts’ candidate questionnaire.
• Barbara Parker’s candidate questionnaire.

Will County clerk

Incumbent Republican Annette Parker and Democrat Michelle Stiff have filed for the primary. Both are unopposed in their party races.

Will County sheriff

Sheriff Mike Kelley is not seeing another term.

In the Democratic primary, Dan Jungles, deputy chief in the sheriff’s office, will face Patrick “PJ” Jones, a sergeant in the department.

Three candidates are running in the Republican primary.

Jim Reilly, a sheriff’s deputy who twice ran unsuccessfully against Kelley, is in the Republican primary along with Justin Fialko.

Raj Pillai, who was the Republican candidate for treasurer in 2022, will face Carmen Maurella III, the Homer Township assessor, in the Republican primary.

• Dan Jungles’ candidate questionnaire.
• Patrick Jones’ candidate questionnaire.
• Jim Reilly’s candidate questionnaire.

Regional Superintendent of Schools

Theresa Rouse, who recently announced plans to retire as superintendent from Joliet Grade School District 86, is running as a Democrat.

Incumbent Superintendent Elizabeth Caparelli-Ruff is a Republican. She was the one Republican to be elected to a countywide office in 2022.

Both are unopposed in their party primary races.

Statewide offices

Illinois governor and lieutenant governor: Incumbent JB Pritzker, a Democrat, has filed to run for reelection. He has named Christian Mitchell as his running mate after Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton announced her intention to run for the U.S. Senate.

Conservative research group Wirepoints president Ted Dabrowski, DuPage County Sheriff James Mendrick, former state Sen. Darren Bailey and Gold Rush Gaming owner Rick Heidner of Barrington Hills have filed as Republicans.

The only other Democrat to file, Patricia L. Tillman of Chicago, was removed from the ballot following a successful objection as was Republicans Gregg Moore of Broadview and Joseph Severino of Lake Forest. Republican Max Solomon of Hazel Crest withdrew his candidacy.

• Ted Dabrowski’s candidate questionnaire.
• Coverage: “‘More listening and less talking’: Darren Bailey insists results will be different in 2nd run for governor”
• Coverage: “GOP governor candidates in McHenry say abolishing TRUST Act would end need for ICE raids”
• Coverage: “Conservative policy wonk Ted Dabrowski gets off sidelines with run for governor”
• Coverage: “Few fireworks as Illinois GOP governor hopefuls share stage for first time”
• Coverage: “Bailey talks Bears stadium as GOP gubernatorial candidates pile on Pritzker”
• Coverage: “Bailey talks faith, family, future at Sterling campaign stop”
• Coverage: “Bailey proposes ‘Illinois DOGE’ as Republican governor’s race focuses on spending”
• Coverage: “Taxes, sanctuary status and electability key issues in GOP gubernatorial joust”

Illinois attorney general: Incumbent Kwame Raoul, a Democrat, has filed to run for another term. Former Chicago alderman Bob Fioretti has filed to run as a Republican.

Republican Andy Williams Jr. of Darien was removed from the ballot following a successful objection and JoAnne Guillemette of Chicago withdrew after an objection was filed.

• Andy Williams Jr.’s candidate questionnaire.

Illinois secretary of state: Alexi Giannoulias, an incumbent Democrat, has filed to run for reelection. Walter Adamczyk of Chicago and Joliet Junior College Trustee Diane M. Harris filed to run as Republicans.

• Walter Adamczyk’s candidate questionnaire.
• Diane Harris’ candidate questionnaire.

Illinois comptroller: Incumbent Susana Mendoza, a Democrat, is not running again. State Sen. Karina Villa of West Chicago, Lake County Treasurer Holly Kim of Mundelein, state Rep. Margaret Croke of Chicago and state Rep. Stephanie Kifowit of Oswego have filed to run as Democrats and and Bryan Drew of Benton as a Republican.

Champaign County Auditor George Danos, a Democrat, was removed from the ballot following a successful objection.

• Holly Kim’s candidate questionnaire.
• Margaret Croke’s candidate questionnaire.
• Stephanie Kifowit’s candidate questionnaire.
• Coverage: “4 Democrats seeking to replace Mendoza as Illinois comptroller”

Illinois treasurer: Incumbent Michael Frerichs, a Democrat, has filed to run for a fourth term.

U.S. Senate: Incumbent Dick Durbin, a Democrat, is not seeking reelection.

Casey Chlebek, former Illinois Republican Party Chair Don Tracy, R. Cary Capparelli of Chicago, Pamela Denise Long of Edwardsville, Jimmy Lee Tillman II of Chicago, John Goodman of Des Plaines and Jeannie Evans of Chicago have filed to run as Republicans.

Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton of Chicago, U.S. Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi of Schaumburg, Kevin Ryan of Chicago, U.S. Rep. Robin Kelly of Lynwood, Steve Botsford Jr. of Chicago, Jonathan Dean of Chicago, Sean Brown of Orland Park, Bryan Maxwell of Urbana, Awisi A. Bustos of Springfield and Christopher A. Swann of Chicago as Democrats. Independents Tyrone Muhammad and Austin J. Mink have also said they are running.

Democrats Adam Delgado of Chicago, Anthony Williams of Dolton and Jump Shepherd of North Riverside were removed from the ballot following successful objections as was CaSándra Claiborne of Chicago. Democrat Robert Palmer of Chicago and Republican John Goodman of Des Plaines withdrew as candidates.

• Don Tracy’s candidate questionnaire.
• R. Cary Capparelli’s candidate questionnaire.
• Pamela Denise Long’s candidate questionnaire.
• Raja Krishnamoorthi’s candidate questionnaire.
• Robin Kelly’s candidate questionnaire.
• Steve Botsford Jr.’s candidate questionnaire.
• Jonathan Dean’s candidate questionnaire.
• Bryan Maxwell’s candidate questionnaire.
• Coverage: “Democratic Senate candidates clash on donations, opine on extraterrestrial controversy"
• Coverage: “GOP Senate candidates offer contrasting solutions to rising costs and economic challenges”
• Coverage: “Ukraine support key for GOP Senate candidates despite cost concerns”
• Coverage: “Illinois GOP Senate candidates take stage in first major debate”

U.S. House of Representatives: All 17 members of Congress representing Illinois are up in 2026. To find what district you live in, go to congress.gov/members/find-your-member.

• District 1: Jonathan Jackson, a Democrat representing parts of Cook, Kankakee and Will counties, has filed to run for reelection. Marcus Lewis of Matteson and Christian Maxwell of Chicago have filed as Republicans.
• Marcus Lewis’ candidate questionnaire.
• District 2: Robin Kelly, a Democrat representing parts of Champaign, Cook, Ford, Iroquois, Kankakee, Livingston, Vermilion and Will counties, is not seeking reelection and instead running for the U.S. Senate. Robert Peters of Chicago, Eric France of Lynwood, Donna Miller of Lynwood, Yumeka Brown of Matteson, Willie Preston of Chicago, Jesse Louis Jackson Jr. of Chicago, Patrick J. “PJK” Keating of Flossmoor, Toni C. Brown of Chicago Heights, Sidney Moore of Calumet City and Adal Regis of Chicago have filed to run as Democrats and Michael Scott Noack of Bonfield as a Republican. Republican Ashley Ramos of Clifton withdrew her candidacy.
• Willie Preston’s candidate questionnaire.
• District 11: Bill Foster, a Democrat representing parts of Boone, Cook, DeKalb, DuPage, Kane, Lake, McHenry and Will, has filed to run for reelection. Elburn Village President Jeff Walter, Michael Pierce of Naperville and Charlie Kim of Aurora have filed as Republicans. Tedora Brown of Palos Park was initially removed from the ballot, but an appeals court ordered she be added to the ballot after early voting started in some counties.
• Jeff Walter’s candidate questionnaire.
• Coverage: “GOP congressional candidates express doubts about Biden’s 2020 White House win”
• District 14: Lauren Underwood, a Democrat representing parts of Bureau, DeKalb, Kane, Kendall, La Salle, Putnam and Will counties, has filed to run for reelection. Gary Vician of Naperville and James T. “Jim” Marter of Oswego have filed to run as Republicans.
• Jim Marter’s candidate questionnaire.
• Coverage: “14th District GOP candidates say curbing government spending, overreach are top issues”

Illinois State Senate: Like its federal counterpart, only some of its members are up for reelection this year. In Will County, that includes:

• District 14: Emil Jones III, a Democrat representing Cook and Will counties, has filed to run for reelection. Ahmed Karrar of Orland Park and Kenny Williams of Chicago also filed to run as Democrats and Brian Skala of Crestwood as a Republican.
• District 15: Napoleon Harris III, a Democrat representing Cook, Kankakee and Will counties, has filed to run for reelection. Republican Kenneth “Ken” Henderson of Dixmoor was removed from the ballot following a successful objection.
• District 17: Elgie R. Sims Jr., a Democrat representing Cook, Kankakee and Will counties, has filed to run for reelection. Frederick L. Walls of Crete filed to run as a Republican.
• District 21: Laura Ellman, a Democrat representing DuPage and Will counties, has filed to run for reelection. Julie Berkowicz of Naperville has filed to run as a Republican.
• Julie Berkowicz’s candidate questionnaire.
• District 38: Sue Rezin, a Republican representing Bureau, DeKalb, Grundy, Kendall, La Salle and Will counties, has filed to run for reelection. Ernie R. Marcelain of Yorkville has filed to run as a Democrat.
• Ernie Marcelain’s candidate questionnaire.
• District 41: Senate Minority Leader John F. Curran, a Republican representing Cook, DuPage and Will counties, has filed to run for reelection.
• District 42: Linda Holmes, a Democrat representing DuPage, Kane, Kendall and Will counties, has filed to run for reelection. Edgardo “Eddie” Perez of Aurora filed as a Republican. Democrat Justin H.S. Breaux of Aurora was removed from the ballot following a successful objection.
• District 53: Chris Balkema, a Republican representing Bureau, Grundy, La Salle, Livingston, Putnam and Will counties, among others, has filed to run again.

Illinois House of Representatives: All state representative seats are up every two years. Among the races in Will County are:

• District 27: Justin Slaughter, a Democrat representing Cook and Will counties, has filed to run for reelection
• District 29: Thaddeus Jones, a Democrat representing Cook, Kankakee and Will counties, has filed to run for reelection.
• District 34: Nicholas K. Smith, a Democrat representing Cook, Kankakee and Will counties, is not running for reelection. Cleopatra “Cleo” Cowley of Chicago and Aja Kearney of Chicago filed to run as Democrats. Antwon T. Russell and Tracy Murray, both Democrats, withdrew their candidacies.
• District 37: Patrick Sheehan, a Republican representing Cook and Will counties, filed to run for reelection. August O’Neill Deuser, also a Republican, was removed from the ballot following a successful objection.
• District 38: Debbie Meyers-Martin, a Democrat representing Cook and Will counties, has filed to run for reelection.
• District 41: Janet Yang Rohr, a Democrat representing DuPage and Will counties, has filed to run for reelection. Ajay Gupta of Naperville has filed to run as a Republican.
• District 75: Jed Davis, a Republican representing DeKalb, Grundy, Kendall, La Salle and Will counties, has filed to run for reelection. Caroline McCree of Yorkville has filed to run as a Democrat.
• Caroline McCree’s candidate questionnaire.
• District 79: Jackie Haas, a Republican representing Cook, Grundy, Kankakee and Will counties, has filed to run for reelection. Robert S. Ellington-Snipes of Kankakee has filed to run as a Democrat.
• District 80: Anthony DeLuca, a Democrat representing Cook and Will counties, has filed to run for reelection. Adam M. Beaty of Braidwood filed to run as a Republican.
• Adam Beaty’s candidate questionnaire.
• District 84: Stephanie A. Kifowit, a Democrat representing DuPage, Kane, Kendall and Will counties, is not running for reelection as she is running for comptroller. Saba Haider and Jared Ploger, both of Aurora, have filed to run as Democrats and Brian Scopa of Naperville has filed to run as a Republican.
• Saba Haider’s candidate questionnaire.
• Jared Ploger’s candidate questionnaire.
• District 85: Dagmara “Dee” Avelar, a Democrat representing DuPage and Will counties, has filed to run for reelection. Chris Metcalfe of Bolingbrook has filed as a Republican.
• District 86: Lawrence “Larry” Walsh Jr., a Democrat representing Will County, has filed to run for reelection.
• District 97: Harry Benton, a Democrat representing Kendall and Will counties, has filed to run for reelection. Gabby Shanahan of Joliet has filed as a Republican.
• District 98: Natalie A. Manley, a Democrat representing Will County, has filed to run for reelection. Nona Parker of Joliet filed to run as a Republican.
• District 106: Jason R. Bunting, a Republican representing Grundy, La Salle, Livingston and Will, among other counties, has filed to run for reelection.

What judicial races will I get to vote on?

Three vacancies are up at the Illinois appellate court level, according to an Illinois State Board of Elections list as of Sept. 3. Voters will also get to vote on retentions.

The appellate vacancies include a seat on the Third Appellate District. The district sits in Ottawa and includes Bureau, La Salle, DuPage, Will, Grundy, Kankakee, and Iroquois counties. Margaret “Peggy” O’Connell of Lisle and John Pavich of Frankfort has filed to run as Democrats and Jason A. Helland of Mazon and Mark Senak of Glen Ellyn has filed as Republicans.

• Margaret O’Connell’s candidate questionnaire.

Three vacancies are also up in Will County’s 12th Circuit, one each in the 1st, 3rd and 5th subcircuits.

John Paul Ivec of Plainfield has filed to run a Republican for the Carlson vacancy in the 1st Subcircuit and Amy Christiansen of Aurora as a Democrat for that vacancy. Sonni Choi Williams of Lockport filed to run as a Democrat for the Anderson vacancy on the 3rd Subcircuit. Erin O’Brien of Frankford and Art Smigielski of Homer Glen filed as Republicans for the Petrungaro vacancy in the 5th Subcircuit.

Important Dates

Feb. 5: Early voting starts and county clerks begin mailing vote-by-mail ballots.

March 1: Last day to register to vote online through the State Board of Elections’ website. Grace period registration and voting continues through Election Day.

March 17: Election Day for the 2026 primary. Polls close at 7 p.m. Voters can request a partisan ballot with either Democratic or Republican candidates listed or a non-partisan ballot, which includes any referendums.