Will Co. School Board Candidates To Start Filing Petitions Monday

WILL COUNTY, IL — Candidates for school boards can start filing their petitions for the April 2021 Consolidated Election starting Monday, Will County Clerk Lauren Staley Ferry said in a release.

Petitions can be filed starting at 8:30 a.m. with the Will County Clerk’s Office at 302 N. Chicago St. in downtown Joliet. Petitions received in the mail before Dec. 14 will not be accepted. In addition, petitions sent by mail will not be accepted if they arrive at the Will County Clerk’s Office after 5 p.m. on Dec. 21. The Will County Office Building was ordered closed last month due to the COVID-19 pandemic but it will be open for this limited purpose.

Ferry reminds local school board candidates of the following public health regulations while they are filing petitions:

• Only one individual, the actual petition filer, will be allowed into the Will County Office Building during the filing period. This may be the candidate or a representative. Please do not bring other individuals into the building.
• All petition filers will be required to wear a protective face covering while they are inside the Will County Office Building and the Will County Clerk’s Office.
• Petition filers will be expected to maintain a six-foot distance while waiting in line. Please follow the direction of the Will County Clerk’s staff and Will County Sheriff’s Deputy while inside the building.

On Dec. 21, the Will County Clerk’s Office will remain open until 5 p.m. for candidates who are filing petitions. Those who file petitions between 4-5 p.m. will qualify for placement in a Simultaneous Filing Lottery to determine whose name will appear in the last space on the ballot.

The Simultaneous Filing Lottery will be held at 9 a.m. Dec. 29 at the Will County Clerk’s Office. Candidates, their representatives, or members of the public are welcome to attend the lottery pursuant to social distancing guidelines. However, candidates are not required to attend.

Only school board candidates file at the Will County Clerk’s Office. All other candidates file petitions with the clerks at their respective taxing districts.

For more information about petition filing for the Consolidated Election, visit the Will County Clerk’s website at www.thewillcountyclerk.com/april-6-2021-consolidated-election/.