Over two dozen candidates to attend the first Election Expo at Waubonsee Community College

Posted September 23, 2026 11:57 am

Submitted by League of Women Voters of Central Kane County

The League of Women Voters of Central Kane County is teaming up with the League of Women Voters Aurora Area and the League of Women Voters of Elgin Area to host the Fox Valley’s first Election Expo at Waubonsee Community College in Sugar Grove.

The event will be held from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 29, in the event room of Waubonsee Community College’s Academic & Professional Center, Route 47 at Waubonsee Drive in Sugar Grove.

Local treasure Kimmer’s Ice Cream will have their new ice cream truck outside the venue, providing free treats to attendees, and Anderson Humane will have dogs and puppies on hand for a special adoption event.

Several other local organizations have joined the three Leagues as partners for the event. American Association of University Women (Elgin Area Branch and Aurora Branch) and the Glen Ellyn Area Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority have participated heavily in the planning and organizing for the expo and are providing material, financial, and volunteer support.

Waubonsee Community College has donated the venue, logistical support, and student and faculty involvement.

“At its core, Election Expo is a nonpartisan celebration of our democratic process. Attendees of all ages can expect to have fun, learn new things, and enjoy quality time chatting with many of the candidates on the November ballot,” said Kella Rotella, co-president of LWV Central Kane County and expo co-chair. “We’ll have kids’ activities, a mock election, free Kimmer’s Ice Cream treats, and adorable puppies from Anderson Humane. What a great way to celebrate our democratic freedoms.”

The League of Women Voters extended invitations to every candidate running for Kane County office and every state senate and state representative candidate running in a district that covers parts of Kane County.

As of Sept. 23, the following 25 candidates had pre-registered for tables, indicating that either they or their surrogates will be on the expo floor and available to talk with attendees:

• Michele Clark (D), candidate for Illinois Senate District 33

• Danielle Penman (R), candidate for Illinois Senate District 33

• Jared Ploger (D), candidate for Illinois Senate District 42

• Maura Hirschauer (D), candidate for Illinois House District 49

• Ricky Rivard (D), candidate for Illinois House District 65

• Veronica Garcia-Martinez (D), candidate for Illinois House District 70

• Jesse Rodriguez (R), candidate for Illinois House District 83

• Saba Haider (D), candidate for Illinois House District 84

• Brenda Rodgers (D), candidate for Kane County Clerk

• Amy Johnson (D), candidate for Kane County Sheriff

• Rob Russell (R), candidate for Kane County Sheriff

• Penny Wegman (D), candidate for Kane County Treasurer

• Chris Lauzen (R), candidate for Kane County Treasurer

• Ellen Nottke (D), candidate for Kane County Board 2 (2-year unexpired term)

• Kelly Burke (Ind), candidate for Kane County Board 2 (2-year unexpired term)

• Anita Marie Lewis (D), candidate for Kane County Board 3

• Philip Silagi (D), candidate for Kane County Board 5

• Julie Forbes (D), candidate for Kane County Board 11

• William C. Collins (R), candidate for Kane County Board 11

• Ryan Deniz (R), candidate for Kane County Board 13

• Nicolas G. “Nico” Jimenez (D), candidate for Kane County Board 13

• Kate Monteleone (D), candidate for Kane County Board 15

• Deborah Chabi (D), candidate for Kane County Board 21

• John K Jonak (R), candidate for Kane District 31 Regional Superintendent of Schools

• Jerry Cook (D), candidate for Kane District 31 Regional Superintendent of Schools

There are still a few tables left for candidates who have not yet accepted their invitations. The organizers will continue to accept candidate registrations up until the event, or until all tables have been assigned.

Throughout the event, members of the League of Women Voters, AAUW, and the Glen Ellyn Area Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority will be assisting voters with: registering to vote; checking voter registration status; looking up sample ballots; learning about the candidates on the November ballot; identifying which candidates present on a sample ballot are participating in the expo; locating specific candidates on the expo floor; and learning about a variety of topics related to elections, democracy, U.S. history, and the system of government.

The League of Women Voters is a nonpartisan political organization that encourages informed and active participation in government, works to increase understanding of major public policy issues, and influences public policy through education and advocacy. Visit lwvckcil.com.