Downers Grove residents head to the polls Tuesday, Nov. 3, with a new county sheriff, a board chair race and a mental health tax levy on the ballot.

The election also carries statewide contests for governor, U.S. Senate and attorney general, plus an advisory question about boycotting Israel that will appear for DuPage Township voters.

Sheriff: Coolidge vs. Noonan

DuPage County will get a new sheriff no matter the outcome. Republican Sheriff James Mendrick did not seek a third term.

Democrat Peter Coolidge retired from the DuPage County Sheriff's Office in February 2024 after 28 years. He worked in the corrections, law enforcement and courthouse administration bureaus.

Coolidge would be the first Democrat elected county sheriff since 1839. His priorities include fiscal oversight of the department's roughly $70 million budget and creating a dedicated domestic and sexual assault unit.

Republican Sean Noonan, an Oakbrook Terrace police officer and former DuPage County Board member, won the March 17 primary with 66.5% of the vote. "Public safety is obviously my highest priority. I'm also coming in as a reformer, and I truly believe that … there are some leadership issues at the sheriff's office," Noonan told the DuPage Policy Journal on Aug. 18.

County Board Chair: Conroy vs. Grasso

Incumbent Deb Conroy, the first woman and first Democrat to chair the DuPage County Board in more than 75 years, faces Republican Gary Grasso, an attorney and former Burr Ridge mayor. During her tenure, Conroy oversaw the opening of the county's first Crisis Recovery Center and a bond-rating upgrade to AAA, according to county records.

Other county races

The DuPage County Clerk's official candidate listing shows contested races for county clerk, county treasurer and a contested judicial seat in the 18th Circuit's 4th Subcircuit. Incumbent County Treasurer Gwen Henry (R) faces Yeena Yoo (D), and Judge Christina Kye (D) faces Michael W. Fleming (R).

Statewide races

Every Downers Grove ballot includes the governor's race between Democratic incumbent JB Pritzker and Republican Darren Bailey. The U.S. Senate race pits Democrat Juliana Stratton against Republican Don Tracy. Incumbent Sen. Dick Durbin is not seeking reelection. Contests for attorney general, secretary of state, comptroller and treasurer round out the statewide slate.

Ballot questions

Downers Grove Township voters will see a referendum asking whether the township should levy an annual tax of up to 0.05% to fund mental health and substance-use services. If approved, the maximum tax levy would rise from about $3.1 million to roughly $8.4 million, according to the official proposition listing. For a home valued at $100,000, the estimated additional cost is $16.67 per year.

DuPage Township voters will also see an advisory question: "Should Illinois or the federal government prohibit governments from boycotting Israel?" The question is nonbinding, Shaw Local reported.

How to vote

Online voter registration closes Sunday, Oct. 18, at ova.elections.il.gov. After that deadline, residents can register in person at the county clerk's office or at their polling place on Election Day with two forms of ID.

Early voting begins Monday, Oct. 19. The Downers Grove ballot drop box is at the Downers Grove Recreation Center, 4500 Belmont Rd., Room 103, open weekdays 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. and weekends 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. through Monday, Nov. 2. Woodridge residents can use the drop box at the DuPage County Athletic Recreation Center, 8201 Janes Ave., on the same schedule.

Mail-ballot applications are due by Thursday, Oct. 29. Ballots must be postmarked or dropped off by Election Day. Polls open 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Nov. 3.