Primary races emerge for DuPage county clerk, sheriff

Two-term incumbent Jean Kaczmarek will face a primary challenge as she seeks a third term as DuPage County clerk.

Paula Deacon Garcia, a Democratic county board member, and Kaczmarek filed petitions Monday to run in the March primary. It is believed to be the first time in nearly 30 years that any candidate for county clerk would face a primary challenge, Kaczmarek said.

Two-thirds of the DuPage County Board seats — or two in each of the six districts — also are up for election next year, as is the top leadership post. Elmhurst Democrat Deb Conroy filed to run for a second term as county board chair. Burr Ridge Mayor Gary Grasso is expected to seek the Republican nomination but had not yet filed his petitions on Monday.

DuPage voters also will elect a sheriff, treasurer and the regional superintendent of education in 2026.

Besides clerk, the only other countywide primary race to emerge Monday is for sheriff. Two Republicans — Undersheriff Eddie Moore and Sean Noonan, a longtime police officer — are vying for their party’s nomination. Incumbent Sheriff James Mendrick, a Republican, is not running for reelection and is instead seeking the party’s nod for governor.

The last day for candidates to file petitions is Nov. 3.

The primary in the county clerk’s race is largely fueled by the two-year-old controversy between Kaczmarek and the county board over how the office is run and how bills are paid. Both sides have filed lawsuits.

In August, a DuPage County judge ruled the clerk must comply with county accounting procedures related to budget transfers to get bills paid.

Last week, the same judge declined to grant a temporary restraining order requested by the clerk to force the county to pay two vendors who provide election services. In that ruling, DuPage County Judge Bryan Chapman said granting the order would essentially require him to rule on the underlying complaint brought by Kaczmarek against the county.

Deacon Garcia vowed to stop all lawsuits, follow county accounting and procurement procedures, and work with other departments.

“Most of the county staff in the clerk’s office are fantastic,” Deacon Garcia said. “There just needs to be a little different type of leadership in terms of how they’re respected and how their work is actually made easier by collaborating with other departments.”

Kaczmarek, who notes that state statute grants her authority over how her office is run, said she wishes to continue the work she has done over the last eight years. During her two terms in office, she has made significant changes to the election process, including introducing the “vote anywhere” program, making elections more accessible to DuPage voters.

“Elections have and continue to be my passion,” Kaczmarek said. “I am very proud of my long list of accomplishments which have revolutionized voter access in this county.”

She said she will work to ensure elections are properly funded and to continue digitization of vital records, such as birth and death certificates.

Patricia Kladis-Schiappa, an attorney from Burr Ridge, filed to run for clerk as a Republican.

Sheriff’s office

In the Republican primary for sheriff, both Moore and Noonan tout their experience.

Noonan, a retired sergeant from the Bloomingdale Police Department, has worked in law enforcement for 23 years. He currently serves as a patrol officer in Oak Brook Terrace.

Moore has been with the sheriff’s office for 30 years.

“The sheriff’s department needs a leader that’s been around for a little bit and able to bring it into the next century,” Moore said, adding his tenure makes him the most experienced for the job.

In addition to his law enforcement background, Noonan said his eight years on the county board will be a benefit in working with other police departments.

“I’ve always felt that the sheriff should be the best police organization in the county,” Noonan said. “I want to be the person that provides the vision to get them to that next level.”

Peter Joseph Coolidge, a West Chicago Democrat and deputy with the sheriff’s department, filed for his party’s nomination for sheriff.

Among Democrats, six of the 12 available county board seats have contested primary races as of Monday’s filing. On the Republican side, District 1 will see a primary race for a 4-year term.