WATSEKA — One of Iroquois County's newly redrawn voting districts already has a full slate of candidates for the county board in the March 2012 Republican primary election.
But by the time the first day of the filing period ended Monday, the three other districts need more candidates to come forward.
Fourteen people filed nominating papers Monday for the 20 seats up for election on the board in the primary. Starting with next year's election, the 25-member board is being reduced to 20 members, with five representing each of four newly remapped districts.
In District 1, which represents the northern third of the county, two people filed nominating petitions: Lyle Behrends of rural Ashkum and Kyle Anderson of rural Beaverville. Meanwhile, only four people have picked up a petition for nomination in that five-member district, with the Dec. 5 filing deadline approaching.
In District 2 — which represents an area on the county's west side spanning from Loda to Danforth — two people filed petitions: newcomer John Shure of rural Buckley and incumbent Bret Schmid of Gilman. Both filed their paperwork at 8:30 a.m., meaning a lottery will be held to determine their positions on the ballot. The lottery will be held at 11 a.m. Dec. 8, at the county clerk's office in Watseka.
As of Monday, four others had picked up petitions for District 2 but had yet to file them: incumbents Dan Pursley of Lake Iroquois, Gerald Whitlow of Gilman and Ernest Curtis of Gilman and newcomer Herschell Offill Jr. of Gilman.
In District 3 — which represents an area spanning from Cissna Park and Milford to Crescent City and Sheldon — five people filed petitions for five open seats. Four filed at 8:30 a.m. and will also be included in the lottery for ballot placement: incumbents Charles Alt of Cissna Park and Jean Hiles of rural Watseka and newcomers Marvin Stichnoth of Milford and Donna Crow of Milford. Newcomer Osborne Storm of rural Ashkum filed his petition later Monday morning. Having picked up petitions in District 3 but yet to file them are former Sheriff Eldon Sprau of rural Sheldon, newcomer Thomas Herrewegers of Sheldon and incumbent Troy Krumwiede of rural Watseka.
In District 4 — which represents Watseka and three townships around that city — four people filed petitions for five open seats. Three filed at 8:30 a.m. and will be included in the lottery for ballot position: incumbent Donna Wasmer of Watseka and newcomers Daniel Joyce and Scott Watts, both of rural Watseka. Incumbent Susan Wynn Bence of Watseka filed her petition later and will not be part of the lottery. Incumbents Russell Bills of Watseka and Adam Zumwalt of rural Sheldon have picked up petitions in District 4 but have not filed them.
Half of the people elected to the board will serve two-year terms, while the others will serve four-year terms, starting Dec. 1, 2012. The duration of their terms will be decided through a random drawing after the election.
Also up for election are the circuit clerk, coroner and state's attorney. Filing on Monday morning were Lisa Hines of Cissna Park, for re-election as circuit clerk; Jim Devine of Watseka, for re-election as state's attorney; and Bill Cheatum of Watseka, for re-election as coroner. No one else has picked up nominating petitions for those seats.
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