Sangamon County voters are heading to the polls April 1 to decide on a range of local issues, including school board races, township government positions and a referendum on consolidating the county recorder’s office and clerk’s office.
While not every municipal position is contested, some, like the races for the school board, offer voters the opportunity to directly influence the path and future of their community. The potential consolidation of the county recorder’s roles into the county clerk’s office offer Sangamon County residents an easier time dealing with issues regarding land ownership or deed transfers.
Sangamon County Clerk Don Gray, whose office oversees elections, highlighted the races voters should pay attention to when they go to the polls.
“School boards countywide are on the ballot, that’s a big piece, but more of the contest and consideration of larger scale policymaking is centered in and around Riverton and Rochester right now,” said Gray. “The rest of the communities have it [school board seats] on the ballot too, but I don’t see a lot of contest there.”
Gray also underscored the power voters have to make significant changes in their communities that these municipal elections offer.
“These positions, this form of election affects voters more than any other that you can find,” said Gray. “These elections are a direct reflection of the resources that are affecting you right in your community, and that has a big impact on your pocketbook and the policy of your community.”
On Feb. 27, voters had the opportunity to talk with candidates and enjoy good vibes over a glass of wine at It’s All About Wine on Wabash Avenue in Springfield, an event sponsored by the League of Women Voters of the Springfield Area. Members of the same party, opponents on the other side and constituents alike gathered for a casual night of networking and fun, allowing voters a chance to get to know the individuals behind the political race.
Most of the contenders present were from the District 186 school board and the Capital Township trustee races. Even though opponents and allies attended the election party together, the casual night featured collective respect between foes concerned with bettering their communities rather than political animosity.
Kristen Barnett, a chemist with the Illinois Department of Agriculture, and incumbent Anthony “Tony” Mares, first elected to the board in 2017, are opponents racing for the District 186 board seat for Subdistrict 1, located in the northwest area of Springfield.
Barnett says she got interested in running for the position of school board through PTA engagement with her son’s school and wanting to make sure every child’s education is secure.
“I’ve always been big into volunteering, and so when I had kids, I started focusing my efforts towards things like keeping the closets filled at the schools for the needs of the kids. I’m trying to fill those needs for my kids and I want to expand that for the whole town. I just want that opportunity to expand and help every single kid, no matter what they look like or where they came from.”
Mares, who has been on the board for eight years, is focused on continually improving the local school system, despite the efforts of wider political movements on the national level.
“It’s the job of the district to make sure that we keep students engaged, that’s it,” says Mares. “No matter what, regardless of what’s happening in a wider political landscape, just being able to provide for the students is first and foremost. That’s the business of public education.”
Two incumbents – board president Micah Miller in Subdistrict 2 and Erica Austin in Subdistrict 6 – are running unopposed. First elected in 2019, Miller works for the Illinois Secretary of State. Austin is the deputy director in the Office of External Relations and Behavioral Health Workforce Center at Southern Illinois University school of Medicine. She won her first election in 2021.
Multiple seats for Capital Township trustees countywide are also up for election, with seven contenders on the ballot, competing for four seats. They include Democrats Bernadette Gordon, Kari Gardiner and Evan Brown, and Republicans Ken Leonard, April E. Smith, Kelly Gilmore and Tammie Rockford.
Sangamon County voters can vote before election day by mail, ballot dropoff boxes or at the county clerk’s office. Residents may also vote in person on election day, April 1. Visit https://sangamonil.gov/departments/a-c/county-clerk/elections for more information.
“You really can plan your own time and your own way to be able to come out and vote,” said Gray. “There’s really no excuses not to vote and you have a great many opportunities to be able to do it and what’s most convenient to you.”
This article appears in Spring Guide 2025.
