McLean County Clerk

Illinois is one of a handful of states that does not require photo ID verification at the polls. This begs the question: How do polling sites verify you are who you say? The answer is through signatures, either gotten through your original polling registration or updated through DMV records.

A Statement of Organization is required to be filed with Illinois State Board of Elections within 10 days of a campaign exceeding the $5,000 threshold in contributions or expenses. Violators are subject to a $50 per day fine.

McLean County Democrats see an opening in the race for McLean County clerk as incumbent Republican Kathy Michael has been subject to severe scrutiny about her budget and tax errors. If successful, Joshua Crockett would be the first Democrat elected to a countywide office in decades.

Clerk Kathy Michael confirmed McLean County did not apply a tax abatement to Ellsworth Fire Protection District's taxes in 2024. It was corrected in 2025 but has led to what one official describes as financial "whiplash" for the volunteer fire department.

McLean County Republicans say they have to rely on community events and grassroots fundraising to compete with Gov. JB Pritzker and other big Democratic donors.

More than 12,000 have already cast ballots in McLean County this election.

McLean County Board chair Elizabeth Johnston talks about collaboration and transparency as the board salutes outgoing Sheriff Matt Lane and deals with county clerk budget overages.

McLean County Clerk Kathy Michael defended her record and addressed recent administrative errors while facing a challenge from Democrat Joshua Crockett at WGLT's candidate forum. Crockett pointed to budget overruns and tax bill mistakes as a call for new leadership, while the incumbent Republican argued her office has corrected course and remains financially sound.

The McLean County Treasurer’s Office says it sent certified letters on Thursday to more than 1,100 taxpayers in the Octavia Park District in Colfax notifying them of the error in which they will underbilled $24,345.

Coming in at just over $150 million, the balanced budget is $5.9 million more than 2026, but lowers the property tax rate slightly from $0.83 to $0.81, amounting to a decrease of $15.86 for the owner of a $255,000 home.