Races to watch in DuPage, Kane counties: Candidates file petitions for primary

Dozens of candidates for county board and countywide offices kicked off the election season on Monday and filed petitions to get their names on the ballot for the March primary.

In DuPage and Kane counties, voters will cast ballots for select county board members, state's attorney, coroner, circuit court clerk, auditor and recorder of deeds.

Though candidates have a week to file petitions, Monday's filings gave a glimpse at races to watch. The recorder of deeds office has sparked Democratic primaries in both DuPage and Kane counties.

"I think it's going to draw a lot of attention to this important office," Liz Chaplin, a DuPage County Board member, said of the contested primary race for DuPage recorder.

Chaplin is one of three Democratic candidates running in the March primary for recorder. Incumbent Kathleen Carrier, who is seeking a second term, will face Chaplin and former county board member Pete DiCianni.

"I look forward to a good, positive, fair race," Carrier said.

DiCianni, who served on the county board as a Republican and ran in 2022 as a Republican for county board chairman, switched parties and is making his first bid as a Democratic candidate.

After losing his bid for county board chairman in the 2022 Republican primary, he endorsed Democrat Deborah Conroy for county board chairman over Republican Greg Hart.

"I think switching parties has been a long time in the making," DiCianni said in an email outlining his reasons for switching parties. "Sadly, the (Republican) Party has left me, as it has many others."

In Kane County, Democrats Brenda Rodgers and Marisela Villegas are seeking a win in the March primary to advance to the November election.

Incumbent Sandy Wegman, a Republican, also filed Monday for another term as recorder.

Democrats in DuPage County also will face a contested race for coroner. Attorney Jeffrey Jacobson and Winfield Township Trustee Judith Lukas, who also is a registered nurse, are seeking the Democratic nod for DuPage County coroner and a chance to challenge Republican incumbent Richard Jorgensen.

DuPage County Board member Lynn LaPlante also faces a challenger in the Democratic primary to represent District 4, which includes Glendale Heights, Glen Ellyn and Wheaton. LaPlante, who is seeking her third term, will face Christine Maes in March.

No Republican candidates had filed to represent District 4 as of Monday afternoon.

Incumbent Republicans in three Kane County Board districts will square off for a chance to advance to the November election. Bill Roth faces Michelle Green in District 12, Mark Davoust faces Jonathon Gripe in District 14 and Michael Kenyon faces Eric Stare in District 16. Incumbent Ron Ford, a Democrat representing Kane County Board District 6, will face Sonia Garcia in the March primary.

Kane County State's Attorney Jamie Moser also filed petitions seeking reelection. No Republican candidates filed for state's attorney on Monday. Moser, a Democrat, said she is aware of the potential for a challenge in the March primary, but as of Monday afternoon, no other Democrats had filed paperwork to challenge her.

Because the 2020 census required all county board members to run in 2022, some candidates Monday felt a sense of déjà vu. Kane County Board member Cheryl Stratham, for example, has served for three years and is filing for the third time.

But, she said it's worth the effort to continue to serve.

"I feel like I'm paying back, I really do," she said. "And I like the work and I've learned a lot. I think it's worthwhile."

County clerk offices will hold a lottery to determine ballot positions in contested races where candidates filed at the same time.

The last day to file for the March 19 primary is Dec. 4.