It’s Election Day | Here’s a last-minute look at what to expect on your ballot in Winnebago County

November 5, 2024|By Kevin Haas|In 815 News, Rockford, Featured, Rock River Current
Rockford vote
Voters cast their ballots on Tuesday, Nov. 8, 2022, at the Rockford Public Library Nordlof Center, 118 N. Main St., Rockford. (Photo by Kevin Haas/Rock River Current)
Rock River Current
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ROCKFORD — Today is Election Day, and polls are open from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m.

The presidential race is at the top of the ballot, but there are other decisions to make in Winnebago County as well.

Voters will decide whether to continue a half-cent sales tax for mental health initiatives, pick state representatives and state senators, decide on their U.S. congressman and select a judge.

There are also a multitude of races that went uncontested, including several Winnebago County Board seats, auditor, coroner, state’s attorney and county board chairman.

Not sure where to vote?

If you live in the city of Rockford, find your polling place HERE.

If you live in Winnebago County outside of the city of Rockford, find your polling place HERE.

Here’s a look at the contested races on the ballot in Winnebago County.

Not all races will be on your ballot, depending on which area of the county where you live.

17th Congressional District

  • Eric Sorensen, Democrat
  • Joe McGraw, Republican

34th District state Senate

  • Steve Stadelman, Democrat
  • Crystal Villarreal Soltow, Republican

67th District state House

  • Maurice West, Democrat
  • Glen Oland, Republican

69th District state House

  • Peter Janko, Democrat
  • Joe Sosnowski, Republican

Forest Preserves of Winnebago County

(Pick up to two)

  • Emily Porter
  • Michael P. “Mike” Eichman
  • Ray A. Ferguson

Winnebago County Board District 16

  • Christina Valdez, Democrat
  • Frank Pobjecky, Republican

17th Judicial Circuit Judge

  • Nicholas O. Meyer, Democrat
  • Erik Karl Jacobs, Republican

Judges retention

Voters will be asked in three separate ballot questions whether to retain judges Brendan Maher, Joseph Bruscato and John Lowry.

Extend half-cent mental health sales tax

How the question reads: “To pay for mental health purposes, shall the county of Winnebago be authorized to extend an increase on its share of local sales taxes by one-half (1/2) percent not to exceed five (5) years, effective July 1, 2026?”

  • Yes
  • No

Statewide advisory referenda

The following questions are non-binding ballot questions designed to gain public feedback.

How it reads: “Should any candidate appearing on the Illinois ballot for federal, state, or local office be subject to civil penalties if the candidate interferes or attempts to interfere with an election worker’s official duties?”

  • Yes
  • No

How it reads: “Should the Illinois Constitution be amended to create an additional 3% tax on income greater than $1,000,000 for the purpose of dedicating funds raised to property tax relief?”

  • Yes
  • No

How it reads: “Should all medically appropriate assisted reproductive treatments, including, but not limited to, in vitro fertilization, be covered by any health insurance plan in Illinois that provides coverage for pregnancy benefits, without limitation on the number of treatments?”

  • Yes
  • No