Voters are invited to a meet the candidates forum from 3-5 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 27, at First Presbyterian Church in downtown Springfield to hear from the candidates for the Illinois State Senate 48th District and Sangamon County sheriff.
State Sen. Doris Turner, D-Springfield, will be debating challenger Frank Lesko, a Republican who currently serves as Sangamon County Recorder. Sangamon County Sheriff Paula Crouch is a Republican who was appointed in September 2024 following the retirement of Jack Campbell and is now seeking election to the office. She is being challenged by Marc Bell, a Democrat who retired from the Illinois State Police.
Bernie Schoenburg, a former political reporter for The State Journal-Register who now serves on the board of directors for Local Journalism Matters, will be moderating the debates.
The event is being hosted by the Committee of Springfield IL: AME Churches, Faith Coalition for the Common Good, League of Women Voters, NAACP – Springfield Branch, National Organization for Women NOW, IL-Poor People’s Campaign, Springfield-Decatur Area Alumnae Chapter – DBT, Springfield National Pan-Hellenic Council and Springfield Urban League.
Those interested in attending can reserve a seat at no cost.
