Endorsements: Idleburg for Democrats, Vice for Republicans for Lake County sheriff

This endorsement is a consensus opinion of the Daily Herald Editorial Board.

In the Democratic primary for Lake County Sheriff, incumbent John D. Idleburg is being challenged by William C. King on June 28.

Idleburg, 66, of Zion was elected in 2018 to his first term as sheriff. He touts his record of creating the Bridge Program to help inmates return to society and launching the Criminal Justice Community Council.

King, 46, of Zion did not participate in the Daily Herald Editorial Board interview, but in his candidate questionnaire cited a disconnect between law enforcement and the communities they serve. He is a Lake County sheriff's deputy who seeks to improve transparency and trust within the office and the community. He previously served on the Zion Benton Township High School Board of Education.

King's school board experience doesn't really equate to the demands of running the sheriff's department.

Idleburg recognizes the hiring challenges law enforcement agencies are facing and seeks to diversify the sheriff's department to better reflect the communities it serves. That's a platform we can get behind.

Idleburg is endorsed.

In the Republican primary, two veteran sheriff's department deputies are vying for the GOP nod on June 28.

Mark A. Vice II, 38, of Round Lake will face John K. Van Dien II, 55, of Lindenhurst.

Vice seeks to rebuild the relationship between law enforcement employees and the communities they serve, increase police involvement in neighborhoods, create a countywide school safety plan, and focus on recruitment and retention of law enforcement and correctional officers. He is president of the Fraternal Order of Police Deputy Union and Fraternal Lodge 66.

Van Dien did not participate in the Daily Herald Editorial Board interview and has not submitted a candidate questionnaire. On his campaign website, he writes he is a fourth-generation law enforcement officer and a 36-year veteran of the Lake County Sheriff's Office. He also has served on the U.S. Marshall's Office task force, the Drug Enforcement Agency and as a member of the Repeat Offender Program.

Van Dien's lack of participation in the endorsement process doesn't boost confidence for how accessible he'll be as an elected official.

Vice's involvement with the FOP provides him greater perspective on rank and file issues.

Vice is endorsed.