Why some Kane County towns begin the 2019 election process Monday
Less than two weeks after the fall election, candidates in a handful Kane County towns will be filing nominating petitions Monday for spots on the spring ballot.
Candidates for municipal races in Elgin, Aurora, North Aurora, Elburn and Campton Hills will be seeking city council and village board posts and, in some cases, mayoral seats. Here's what's happening.
Q. Why are the candidates in these towns filing so early?
A. Elgin, Aurora, North Aurora and Campton Hills are preparing for possible February primaries in case there's a need to narrow the field before the consolidated general election on April 2. Elburn also will begin taking failings Monday, according to an announcement from Village Clerk Diane McQuilkin.
As a result, candidates must file their nominating petitions earlier than candidates in other communities. Nominating petitions must be filed between Monday and Nov. 26, excluding weekends, Thanksgiving and Black Friday.
Q. Who's up for election?
A. Elgin Mayor Dave Kaptain's second term as mayor is expiring. Kaptain said he is running for re-election and Councilwoman Carol Rauschenberger said she, too, plans to run for mayor.
Five of the eight council seats in Elgin also are on the ballot in April: the 4-year seats held by Rose Martinez, Tish Powell, Toby Shaw and John Steffen, and a 2-year seat to fill the vacancy left by Rich Dunne.
In Aurora, the city council is made up of 10 ward aldermen and two at-large aldermen. The aldermen who have terms expiring in May are at-large Alderman Sherman Jenkins; Ward 1 Alderman Kristina "Tina" Bohman; Ward 3 Alderman Ted Mesiacos; Ward 5 Alderman Carl Franco; Ward 6 Alderman Michael Saville; and Ward 8 Alderman Rick Mervine.
In North Aurora, the 4-year seats held by trustees Laura Curtis, Mark Carroll and Mark Guethle are on the ballot.
In Campton Hills, Village President Harry Blecker's first term is expiring. Blecker said he is not running for re-election. The 4-year seats held by trustees Susan George, Michael O'Dwyer and Wendy K. White Eagle also are on the ballot, along with the position of village clerk.
In Elburn, the terms of trustees Sue Filek, Bill Grabarek and David Gualdoni are expiring.
Q. What would trigger a primary?
A. A primary election will take place in Elgin if more than four candidates file to run for mayor, if more than 16 candidates file to run for 4-year council seats, or if more than four candidates file to run for the 2-year seat.
In Aurora, if five or more candidates file to appear on the ballot for a given office, a February primary election must be conducted for that office. If there are four or fewer candidates for a given office, they will move on to compete in the April election.
In North Aurora, a primary election will be held if more than 12 candidates file to run.
In Campton Hills, a primary will be triggered if more than four candidates file to run for president, if more than 12 candidates file to run for trustee, and if more than four candidates file for clerk.
Q. What happens if there is a primary?
A. If there is a primary in any of the towns, it will take place on Feb. 26.
Q. Does this include races for other seats?
A. No. The filing period for most of Kane County's municipalities - as well as school boards, library boards, fire district boards and park district boards - won't happen until next month.
Q. So when is the filing deadline for other towns?
A. Nominating papers for most elected positions on the April 2 ballot will be filed from Dec. 10 through the end of the business day on Dec. 17.