Gillette Re-Elected, Dems Win Kendall County Board Spots

KENDALL COUNTY, IL — Republican leaders in Kendall County — namely the sheriff, county clerk and treasurer — faced no opposition on the ballot during the March primary. In Tuesday's midterm, Sheriff Dwight Baird and Treasurer Jill Ferko were without Democratic challengers, while only clerk/recorder Debbie Gillette faces opposition from candidate Andrew Michael Torres.

Incumbents on the Kendall County Board also faced challenges from local Democrats, all of them held onto their seats, including clerk Debbie Gillette, who took a nearly 11-point lead over challenger Andrew Michael Torres.

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Meanwhile, two Democrats — Amy Cesich and Robyn Vickers — snagged spots on the county board, while the incumbent Republicans won re-election.

Election Results

Bold indicates winners

County Clerk/Recorder - 87 of 87 precincts reporting

• Incumbent Debbie Gillette - Republican: 55.25 percent
• Andrew Michael Torres - Democrat: 44.75 percent

County Board District 1 (three won four-year spots on the board) - 45 of 45 precincts reporting

• Incumbent Judy Gilmour - Republican: 25.54 percent
• Incumbent Matthew G. Prochaska - Republican: 20.20 percent
• Todd Milliron - Republican: 19.30 percent
• Amy Cesich - Democrat: 21.70 percent
• Dustin C. McCance - Democrat: 13.26 percent

County Board District 2 (two won four-year spots on the board) - 42 of 42 precincts reporting

• Incumbent Scott R. Gryder - Republican: 31.91 percent
• Dan Koukol - Republican: 28.70 percent
• Robyn Vickers - Democrat: 39.38 percent

NOTE: Tuesday's results are unofficial and do not include provisional and late absentee ballots.

Gillette sought re-election to a third four-year term after originally being elected to a two-year term in 2008.

In September, the ACLU of Illinois accused Gillette of distributing "misleading" information implying Kendall County voters would have to show photo ID at the polls. Fliers sent by her office told voters to "be prepared to present identification to the election judge" at their polling place, event though photo ID is not typically required to vote in Illinois. Gillette responded to the ACLU, citing two exceptions to that rule and saying a web page on voting and early voting would be amended to clarify.

Torres, a lifelong Kendall County resident, responded by sharing a photo of an ACLU post on the incident, writing, "My campaign and I stand with the laws and voters of Illinois. We believe all Voters deserve a free and unobstructed right to vote."

Torres thanked his supporters on Wednesday morning.

County board races

A total of five Republicans and three Democrats faced off in county board districts 1 and 2.

Gilmour has served on the county board since December 2012, originally elected to a two-year term before winning a four-year term. She is a retired educator in District 308. She also serves as president of the Kendall County Forest Preserve District.

Prochaska has also been on the board since 2012 and is a consultant.

Gryder was also elected in 2012 and previously served as the vice president of the Oswego Public Library District and chairman of the Oswego Plan Commission.

Milliron, a longtime outspoken resident, told the Chicago Tribune he's a "voice for taxpayers" and said taxes are the biggest concern in Kendall County. Milliron, who calls himself the "Watchdog of Kendall County, has also found himself facing the ire of Kendall County elected officials in the past.

Koukol, who previously served, sought to reclaim a seat on the board. A real estate broker and small business owner, Koukol has said public safety, reigning in taxes and county finances are his priorities.

Democrat Cesich, a paralegal, also previously served on the board from 2012 to 2014 and is vice president of the Yorkville Park & Recreations Board.

Robyn Vickers, a current Oswego Planning and Zoning Commissioner member, is a Democrat, stay at home mom and volunteer in District 308.

Fellow Democrat McCance is president of the UAW Local 145 union and a Montgomery resident.

More Illinois voting info: Everything To Know About The Illinois 2018 Midterm Elections

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