Election filings coming in

When Johnsburg residents vote in April, they won’t be asked whether they support using a special service area to fund a $10 million sewer project. But how they cast their votes could depend on the answer to that question.

The three trustees whose terms are up this year all filed to run for re-election this week, and all voted in favor of using an SSA to fund the project in 2007. Meanwhile, four residents opposed to the SSA – including one who is suing the village – are vying for three trustee positions and village president.

“The coalition and our running for office are two distinctly different things,” said Ron Zanko, one of the candidates for trustee and head of Coalition Against SSA 23. “... [But] the SSA only brought to light how the village was functioning and what extremes they go to ...”

Across McHenry County, local political hopefuls have been filing candidacy petitions for the April 7 elections since Monday. Those who are elected will determine property taxes, school funding, and library resources.

High interest in village government was expected in Johnsburg, where the SSA has been a controversial topic for almost a year and a half.

Meanwhile, Burton Township Highway Commissioner could be Jeff Thirtyacre’s new title, if he wins in April. Thirtyacre, who has worked for the Illinois Department of Transportation since 1992, unsuccessfully ran for county board in November.

Incumbent Daniel Sutton is running to retain the position of highway commissioner.

In other towns, candidate positions are being filed more slowly.

There are two candidates running for village president so far in Prairie Grove; Trustee Stanley Duda and Kurt Milliman, a resident. Only Lisa Behm had filed as of Tuesday to run for one of the three open trustee positions.

“I had more people take out packets, so they just haven’t brought them in yet,” said Kim Minor, village clerk. “I expect that we’ll have more before the five days are up.”

Candidate petitions or certificates of nomination will be accepted through Jan. 26 and should be submitted to the units of government for which candidates are running.

To run for most elected offices, candidates must be of voting age and live in the district or within the scope of the government body for which they’re running.