Curran to face challenge for Lake County sheriff
A retired federal agent from Zion filed nominating petitions Monday to challenge Lake County Sheriff Mark Curran in next year's election.
John Idleburg, a Democrat from Zion, is mounting his first campaign for sheriff. He unsuccessfully ran for a seat on the Lake County Board in 2016 and is the president of the Illinois Police Association.
Idleburg said he is running because Curran has a record of mismanagement that has cost Lake County taxpayers millions of dollars.
His campaign website states he is a U.S. Marine Corp veteran who served from 1974 to 1976 and was an investigator for the U.S. Department of Defense and later a special agent for U.S. Department of the Treasury for about 30 years.
Curran, a Republican from Libertyville, is seeking his fourth term as sheriff.
"We've come a long way and now we're one of the premier sheriff's offices in the country," Curran said. "We are right where we need to be."
The November general election matchup was among several Lake County races that took shape Monday, the first day candidates could file their paperwork for a spot on the March primary ballot.
Lake County Treasurer Dave Stolman filed for what he hopes will be his final term in office, but winning it will require him to overcome a challenge from former Mundelein trustee Holly Kim.
So far, neither Stolman, a Buffalo Grove Republican, or Kim, a Mundelein Democrat, who said she intends to file her petitions next Monday, Dec. 4, face primary opponents.
Monday's filings set up three primaries for county board seats.
In the 10th District, incumbent Republican incumbent Chuck Bartels of Mundelein will face a primary challenge from fellow Mundelein resident Jeri Atleson. The district encompasses most of Mundelein, as well as parts of Hawthorn Woods, Wauconda and Round Lake Park.
In the 17th District, Republicans Eleanor Sweet McDonnell of North Barrington and Linda Starkey of Wauconda, will face off in a primary for the seat currently held by Republican Michael Danforth. He has not yet filed, but previously said he would seek election to the seat.
The 17th District includes parts or all of Wauconda, Island Lake, Lake Barrington, Port Barrington, North Barrington, Barrington Hills, Tower Lakes, Fox River Grove and Hawthorn Woods.
In the 14th district, North Chicago Democrat Vance Wyatt will face off against challenger Angelo Kyle from Waukegan. The district includes North Chicago and parts of Waukegan and Park City.
The deadline for candidates to file is Monday, Dec. 4.