Will County voters headed to the polls Tuesday with one of the county’s most-watched contests on the ballot, an open race for sheriff after three-term incumbent Mike Kelley chose not to run again. Democrats and Republicans are each holding their own primary to see who advances to November. Polls are open from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m., with initial results for contested races set to appear once ballots are counted after the polls close.
Who’s on the ballot
On the Democratic side, Sgt. Patrick Jones and Deputy Chief Dan Jungles are squaring off. Republican voters will pick between Justin Fialko and James “Jim” Reilly. Those names are listed on the county’s official specimen ballots for the March primary, a legal notice from the Will County Clerk that was republished by Farmers Weekly Review.
Open seat after Kelley
Sheriff Mike Kelley’s decision not to seek another term created a rare open contest for the county’s top law enforcement job. Both Democratic contenders come from within the sheriff’s office, turning that primary into an internal decision over who will oversee patrol operations, the jail and county contracts in the next term, as reported by Shaw Local.
Republican fight and intra-office rivalry
On the Republican side, Jim Reilly, who has previously mounted campaigns for sheriff, is back on the ballot alongside deputy Justin Fialko. Undersheriff Brian Conser had earlier announced a run but later withdrew, narrowing the GOP field and sharpening the intra-office rivalry, according to reporting by Patch.
What to expect on election night
Once polling places close at 7 p.m., local election workers will begin tabulating ballots, and results are expected to roll out to county and news websites through the evening. Votes in contested races will be counted after the polls close, and candidate filings for the March primary were summarized by NCTV17.
Why this race matters
The sheriff’s office is responsible for patrol coverage, courthouse security and operation of the county jail, duties that directly affect public safety and county spending. The next sheriff’s plans for staffing, jail operations and community programs will help shape law enforcement strategy and budget priorities across Will County, according to the Will County Sheriff's Office website.
Local news outlets and the Will County Clerk’s office are expected to post returns and update results throughout the night. The primary winners will move on to the November general election ballot. We will update this space as results are posted and races are called.
