Candidate Information

US President

The President is both the head of state and head of government of the United States of America, and Commander-in-Chief of the armed forces. Under Article II of the Constitution, the President is responsible for the execution and enforcement of the laws created by Congress. The President appoints members of the President's Cabinet to lead fifteen executive departments which carry out the day-to-day administration of the federal government. They are joined in this by other executive agencies such as the CIA and Environmental Protection Agency, the heads of which are not part of the Cabinet, but who are under the full authority of the President. The President also appoints the heads of more than 50 independent federal commissions, such as the Federal Reserve Board or the Securities and Exchange Commission, as well as federal judges, ambassadors, and other federal offices. The President has the power either to sign legislation into law or to veto bills enacted by Congress, although Congress may override a veto with a two-thirds vote of both houses. The Executive Branch conducts diplomacy with other nations and the President has the power to negotiate and sign treaties, which the Senate ratifies. The President can issue executive orders, which direct executive officers or clarify and further existing laws. The President also has the power to extend pardons and clemencies for federal crimes. (White House information about the Executive Branch of US Government)

Note: the list of candidates for US President includes all candidates who have filed with the Illinois State Board of Elections .

Democrat candidates
Kamala Harris

Republican candidates
Donald J. Trump

US House of Representatives

The US House of Representatives is one of two chambers for the federal legislature (Congress). The Constitution grants Congress the sole authority to enact legislation and declare war, the right to confirm or reject many Presidential appointments, and substantial investigative powers. The House has several powers assigned exclusively to it, including the power to initiate revenue bills, impeach federal officials, and elect the President in the case of an Electoral College tie. Members of the House are elected every two years and must be 25 years of age, a U.S. citizen for at least seven years, and a resident of the state (but not necessarily the district) they represent. The House of Representatives is made up of 435 elected members, divided among the 50 states in proportion to their total population. You can learn more about the legislative branch here.

Illinois has a total of 17 representatives. Each representatives has an office in Washington, D.C. and offices throughout their district. Depending on where you live in Bloomington-Normal, you are either represented by District 16 or District 17. Check the House of Representatives website to determine which district you are in.

House of Representatives District 16

Democrat candidates
None

Republican candidates
Darin LaHood (incumbent)

House of Representatives District 17

Democrat candidates
Eric Sorensen (incumbent)

Republican candidates
Joe McGraw

Illinois Senate District 46

The Illinois Senate is one of two chambers of the state legislature (Illinois General Assembly). Senators are responsible for passing bills into law, approving the state budget, confirming appointments to state departments and agencies, acting on federal constitutional amendments and proposing constitutional amendments for Illinois. It also has the power to override gubernatorial vetoes through a three-fifths majority vote. The Illinois Senate tries impeachments made by the House of Representatives and can convict impeached officers by a two-thirds vote. There is a total of 59 Senators, with each senatorial district representing two of the smaller legislative districts. Your Representative represents you at the state level. They have an office in Springfield (the state capital) and local offices in their district. (Illinois State Senate information)

Democrat candidates
Dave Koehler (incumbent)

Republican candidates
Sally Owens

Illinois Representative District 91

The Illinois House is one of two chambers of the state legislature (Illinois General Assembly). Representatives are vested with the power to make laws, come up with a state budget, act on federal constitutional amendments, and propose constitutional amendments to the state constitution. The Illinois House of Representatives also holds the power to impeach executive and judicial officials. There is a total of 118 Representatives, one from each individual legislative district. Your Representative represents you at the state level. They have an office in Springfield (the state capital) and a local office in the district. (Illinois House of Representatives information)

Democrat candidates
Sharon Chung (incumbent)

Republican candidates
Desi Anderson

How does the Illinois court system work?

The State of Illinois has three different levels of courts: circuit courts, appellate courts, and the Illinois Supreme Court. The circuit court is a court of original jurisdiction which is divided into twenty-four circuits. Cases are initially filed in the circuit clerk’s office in a county of the circuit (in Bloomington-Normal, this is the McLean County circuit clerk - also up for election in 2024 under McLean County Offices). The case is then heard in the circuit court in which the county is located. Circuit courts may also be referred to as trial courts. Each circuit is located in one of five appellate court districts. McLean County is in the 4th District Appellate Court. Cases may be appealed to the appellate court in the district containing the circuit court, or, in certain circumstances, directly to the Supreme Court. After an appellate court decision, parties to the case may seek discretionary review by the Supreme Court. See the diagram at left for a general description of how cases move through the state court system. (Illinois court system information)

Why do we elect judges? 

In the voting booth, after making their choices for governor, president, senators, and state reps, voters face another daunting task: voting for judges. Voter participation on this part of the ballot drops off steeply, with about one-quarter of voters not making judicial picks.

Unlike other elected officials, judges in Illinois don’t have to defend themselves against challengers at the end of their six-year terms. Instead, they go up for retention on the general election ballot. Voters choose yes or no to keeping each judge on the bench, and the judge has to get 60% yes votes to stay. There are no term limits.

Illinois is one of just nine states in which circuit court-level judicial candidates run for their first term in partisan elections and one of eight states using the retention voting method when sitting judges run for re-election. Judges in Illinois have been chosen through partisan elections since 1848. The last attempt to change that, during the 1970 Constitutional Convention, failed when voters in a statewide referendum chose by a slim margin to keep the partisan election system over creating a merit-based selection process. (Excerpts from Cook County Judicial Explainer)

Why should I care about who the judges are?

Each day, state court judges shape the country we live in. They interpret the law to resolve disagreements and protect the rights of people in the communities they serve. Judges are involved in many major life events; if you dispute a speeding ticket, sue for damages after a car accident, settle a deceased loved one’s estate, lose a home through eviction or foreclosure, get divorced, or face accusations of committing a crime, among many other circumstances, a judge is involved and will be instrumental in determining the outcome of a court case. (Sources: Judicial selection map, excerpts from Cook County Judicial Explainer)

4th Appellate Court

Except when a circuit court’s decision may be appealed directly to the Illinois Supreme Court, a person has the right to appeal the decision to the Illinois Appellate Court. After the appellate court decides an appeal, a person may petition the supreme court to review the appellate court’s decision. (Illinois Appellate Courts information)

Candidates for vacancy of Lisa Holder White's seat
Gene Doherty (Republican; Judge Doherty is currently serving on the appellate court in an appointed role, running for first official elected term)

Candidates for vacancy of John Turner's seat
Amy Lannerd (Republican; Judge Lannerd is currently serving on the appellate court in an appointed role, running for first official elected term)

Illinois Supreme Court, 4th District Representative

Candidates for vacancy of Rita Garman's seat
Lisa Holder White (Republican; Justice Holder White is currently serving on the Supreme Court in an appointed role, running for first official elected term)

Auditor

The County auditor is the officer responsible for examining how all of the other departments are operating, including use of financial resources. (McLean County Auditor's website)

Democrat candidates
None

Republican candidates
Michelle L. Anderson (incumbent)

Circuit Clerk

The Clerk of the Circuit Court of McLean County (Circuit Clerk) is, by law, the official keeper of records for all judicial matters brought into the Circuit Court of McLean County. Other duties include gathering and reporting statistical data to various law enforcement and state government bodies, and receiving and disbursing fines, fees, and costs collected as a result of court actions. (McLean County Circuit Clerk's website)

Democrat candidates
None

Republican candidates
Don Everhart (incumbent)

Coroner

The primary responsibility of the McLean County Coroner's Office is to investigate all sudden and unexpected deaths that occur within the County. Sudden and unexpected does not always mean violent and/or traumatic, but those deaths are also investigated. (McLean County Coroner's website)

Democrat candidates
None

Republican candidates
Kathy Yoder (incumbent) 

State’s Attorney

The McLean County State's Attorney's Office is responsible for prosecuting individuals charged with a crime, as well as providing advocacy for community members. (McLean County State's Attorney's website)

Democrat candidates
None

Republican candidates
Erika Reynolds (appointed by county board in 2022, running for first official elected term)

County Board

The county board is both the legislative and executive branch of county government. It enacts ordinances and resolutions and administers the activities of county departments. They establish tax rates, authorize bond issues, reviews zoning, planning and land use matters, and considers appeals in granting or denying certain permits and licenses. (County Board Information Sheet)

Most Illinois State students are in District 4 or District 6. Find your county board district here.

District 4 (4-year term)

Democrat candidates
Jim Rogal (incumbent)

Republican candidates
Jerry Klinkner

District 6 (4-year term)

Democrat candidates
Alex Duffy

Republican candidates
None

Precinct Committeepersons

Precinct committeepersons represent their party’s voters within their precinct. Working with their party’s Central Committee, they are the grassroots base for the political party’s activities. They may help their party’s candidates, organize fundraisers, and introduce candidates to voters in their precinct. Precinct committeepersons are usually a good source of information about their party’s candidates. McLean County has over 100 precincts; the precincts listed below include Illinois State University and surrounding areas. You can find all McLean County Precinct Committeepersons Directory here.

2024 Precinct Committee Person Candidates:

District 8
No candidates for any party

District 14
No candidates for any party

District 15
No candidates for any party

District 29
No candidates for any party

District 30 
Democrat candidates: none
Republican candidates: Karl Sila

There are three ballot measures on the General Election ballot in Illinois:

1. Assisted Reproductive Healthcare Advisory Question
   • This question is advising state officials on whether medically assisted reproductive treatments, including in vitro fertilization (IVF), should be covered by any health insurance plan in Illinois that provides full coverage to pregnancy benefits. A vote "yes" supports this measure, while a vote "no" opposes this measure.
2. Income Tax Advisory Question
   • This question is advising state officials on whether the Illinois Constitution should be amended to create an additional 3% tax on income greater than $1 million for the purpose of dedicating the raised funds to property tax relief. A vote "yes" supports this measure, while a vote "no" opposes this measure.
3. Penalties for Candidate Interference with Election Worker's Duties Advisory Question
   • This question is advising state officials on whether to establish civil penalties if a candidate interferes or attempts to interfere with an election worker's official duties. A vote "yes" supports this measure, while a vote "no" opposes this measure.

These measures are non-binding advisory questions which do not come with any guarantee of future legislation or state Constitutional amendments and are meant to allow voters the ability to express their general opinions on an issue.

There is one public question for McLean County to consider: 

1. Eliminate the Office of the County Auditor: 

• This question is advising local officials on whether the elected office of the county auditor should be eliminated. A vote yes supports the elimination of the office of County Auditor. A vote no opposes the elimination of the county auditor.