Gillam gets GOP nod in Kane District 21

A candidate with no county board experience has bested the two men who did in Kane County.

When it came to Kane County’s 21st District Republican primary, Becky Gillam, 51, of West Dundee, easily scored the nomination with 922 votes, according to unofficial totals. Lee Barrett, 74, an East Dundee engineer, secured 602 votes while Don Rage, 54, owner of Rage Property Management, collected 419 votes.

Gillam, a West Dundee trustee, works at Platt Hill Nursery. She could not be reached for comment Tuesday.

Both Rage and Barrett had previously held the office for eight years and were trying to get it back. Tim Haley occupies the seat now and decided not to seek re-election. He’s also Gillam’s brother-in-law.

The 21st District includes parts of Elgin, Sleepy Hollow, East Dundee, West Dundee, Carpentersville and Gilberts. The winner faces Darren Parochelli, who was uncontested as the Democratic nominee.