Charles Pelkie Becomes Will County Clerk Until Dec. 2

(The following edited press release is from Michael Theodore of the Will County Executive's Office.)

JOLIET — Will County Executive Jennifer Bertino-Tarrant has appointed Charles "Chuck" Pelkie as Will County Clerk and he will serve until an elected successor is sworn in on December 2. On Nov. 5, the voters of Will County voters will choose either Michelle Stiff, the Democratic candidate, or Annette Parker, the Republican.

Pelkie's appointment was confirmed unanimously by the Will County Board on Thursday.

“Charles Pelkie is well-qualified to serve as Will County Clerk and his appointment will ensure continuity during an important period of time for that office,” Bertino- Tarrant remarked in the press release. “His years of experience in county government, including six years as the Chief Deputy Clerk, have prepared him to lead the Clerk’s Office and oversee the November elections. I congratulate Clerk Pelkie on his appointment.”

Pelkie has served as the chief of staff and chief deputy clerk in the Will County Clerk’s Office since 2018. He has been acting as county clerk since the resignation of Lauren Staley-Ferry on August 15. There will now be a special election to fill the remaining two years of Staley-Ferry’s term during the November General Election.

Pelkie has overseen eight Will County elections and manages the day-to-day administration of the office. He supervised the purchase and installation of a complete suite of new election equipment valued at more than $9 million, modernizing all county voting operations.

“It’s a tremendous honor to be appointed by County Executive Jennifer Bertino-Tarrant and the County Board to serve as the Will County Clerk and to lead this team through the 2024 Presidential Election. I am humbled by their confidence and grateful for their support," Pelkie remarked in the press release.

Pelkie previously served as director of the bureau of crime prevention and public access for the Will County State’s Attorney’s Office of Jim Glasgow for 13 years. He began his career as a newspaper reporter, including for The Herald-News and Pioneer Press Newspapers.