Campaign Season has begun

It’s campaign season in DeKalb County. Local candidates are vying for elected positions that greatly influence the quality of life in your backyard. If elected their decisions will likely impact your wallet more directly and with greater impact than all other elected officials.

The April consolidated election also includes elected offices in townships, park districts, school districts and library boards throughout DeKalb County.

Cortland voters will choose between candidates for Mayor, Town Clerk and three Trustees. A public question regarding a sales tax referendum to increase the sales tax from 6.25 to 7.25% to raise revenue without increasing property tax will be on the ballot.

Sycamore city elections include races for Mayor, City Clerk and Aldermen in wards 1-4. Alderpersons are elected, two in each of the four wards, and the aldermanic elections are held every two years, at which time half of the City Council is elected.

DeKalb residents will decide who their next Mayor and City Clerk are as well as determine the City Council members for the 2nd, 4th and 6th wards. They will also decide whether or not DeKalb will retain Home Rule. Voters in DeKalb may have lots of choices. According to DeKalb City Clerk Donna Johnson, 43 candidate packets were picked up and 15 were returned on the first day of filing. The 6th ward in DeKalb already has 5 people vying for the seat.

Genoa will elect a Mayor, 4 Aldermen (in  wards 1-4) and City Clerk. Hinckley voters select a President and 5 trustees. Kingston chooses a President and 3 trustees. Kirkland decides on President and 4 trustees. Lee elects a President and 3 trustees. Malta determines its President, Village Clerk and 3 trustees. Sandwich chooses their Mayor, City Clerk, City Treasurer and 4 aldermen. Shabbona has races for 3 trustees. Somonauk selects a President and 3 trustees. Waterman chooses their next President and 4 trustees.

DeKalb County Online will again publish a Local Candidate Survey that will ask tough questions and require blunt answers. Local candidates are encouraged to use this participative media to state their positions, clarify their stances and to set the record straight.

If you have a candidate you recommend, tell us who it is and why you support them.

As always, we will employ the latest technology we can afford. Take these examples of our new Flipster Video Camera as a sample. Watch for more videos soon.