On Thursday February 22, Tazewell GOP welcomed a good crowd at Freedom Hall for a candidate forum. We are committed to helping voters in Tazewell County make informed voting decisions. That event enabled voters to hear for themselves the candidates’ reason why they believe they should be elected and to hear answers to questions on issues relevant to the office they are seeking.
We had a great response and many requests for a video, which we did not do.
However, we've asked the candidates to state:
- who they are,
- why they are running,
- what they bring to the table, and
- what they will focus on.
Here's the responses we received:
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Office |
Candidate |
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Auditor |
William Funkhouser |
Pekin |
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My name is William Funkhouser and I am a candidate in the March 19th Republican primary for the office of Tazewell County Auditor. I am well qualified for the position being a Registered CPA licensed by the State of Illinois, I currently serve (19 years) as an Executive in Residence at Bradley University where I am a full-time faculty member in the Department of Economics and Finance, and I worked in the banking industry for 25 years, 19 of which were at the executive level. I’m running for this office in order to bring the necessary level of expertise to the County Auditor office. The County Auditor office is the guardrail protecting the interests of the taxpayers while at the same time assisting the County Board in the fulfillment of their responsibilities by monitoring the financial activities of the County. Additionally, my family has enjoyed the benefits and privileges of being residents of Tazewell County for 37 years and it is fitting to give back to the community that has given us so much. |
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Auditor |
Kaden Nelms |
Pekin |
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My name is Kaden Nelms, and I’m a Tazewell County Board Member and candidate to be your next Tazewell County Auditor. As a lifelong resident of Tazewell County for 24 years, I am committed to making sure our county government is honest, transparent, and accountable. I am running because I want to restore trust in local government, make government more accessible to citizens, and encourage fellow young people to join the political scene. As a board member, I already have a working relationship with county employees and elected officials. I plan on continuing to foster good relationships to better serve the citizens of Tazewell County. I plan on making the office available to all citizens to see where their money is being spent. Opening a dialogue with the public about their tax dollars is my main priority. I believe I’m the best option, as I will be a committed full-time auditor who works tirelessly to serve the people of Tazewell County and constantly improve the office. |
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County Board District 1 |
Ralph Milam |
Pekin |
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My name is Ralph “Deene” Milam. I am running for Tazewell County Board Member in 2024. I grew up in Pekin, IL. I have over 45 years of work experience that includes being employed in a family, midsize and large company that included roles as a service manager at Milam Audio providing professional sales and service, analyst at Samaritan Ministries International, a health care sharing ministry, in the communications department ensuring that the medical needs of members were met, and system analyst at State Farm Insurance responsible for accounting and investment department reports. During those years I provided service and learned to communicate as a team with others through informed decisions. I have volunteered my time as a hockey coach, youth group leader, prison ministry, and a court appointed support advocate. I attend Northfield Christian Fellowship in Tremont, IL.I vow to use my research and analysis skills to engage in open discussions and informed decisions that support the needs of Tazewell County residents by looking for ways to lower taxes, and creating opportunities for economic development, whenever possible.The voters should cast a vote for me because I am honest, a good communicator, and I will listen.
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County Board District 2 |
Jonathan Hopkins |
Morton |
| Jon's journey is a testament to his unwavering dedication to both professional success and community service. Born and raised in a close-knit Christian home in central Illinois, Jon's upbringing instilled in him a strong work ethic and a deep-rooted sense of community.Coming from rural Tremont, his own path led him to Peoria at the age of 20 to pursue his education at ICC and embark on a career in retail sales. However, his entrepreneurial spirit led him to venture into the insurance and real estate industries, where he achieved remarkable success, enabling him to expand his endeavors into various other businesses.Beyond his professional pursuits, Jon is deeply committed to giving back to the community that has shaped him. Since 2014, he has been an integral part of the mentoring program at Heart of Illinois Big Brothers Big Sisters, serving as President of the Leadership Council, creating a successful fundraising event, and serving on the Board. Jon's dedication to mentoring extends to his personal life, as he has been a mentor to Tae'Shawn for nearly five years, demonstrating his unwavering commitment to making a positive impact. Jon also is an active member of his church's production team and serves on the executive board of the Peoria Riverfront Association.Despite his extensive involvement in various community initiatives, Jon realized that there was still more he could do to serve his own community in Morton where he resides. Feeling compelled to further his impact, he made the decision to run for the County Board, aiming to leverage his diverse expertise to benefit the people of Tazewell County. Jon's multifaceted journey reflects his unwavering commitment to service, from his impactful contributions to various organizations to his decision to pursue public office. In Jon, we find a rare blend of entrepreneurial acumen, unwavering community dedication, and a genuine heart for service.His remarkable journey is a testament to the transformative power of determination and compassion, reflecting the very spirit of Tazewell County. Electing Jon to the County Board isn't just a choice; it's a decision to embrace a visionary leader who embodies the resilience and unwavering spirit of our communities. With Jon, we can stand united in our pursuit of a brighter, more prosperous future for Tazewell County. | ||
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County Board District 2 |
Eric Stahl |
Tremont |
| Eric Stahl is optimistic about the future of Tazewell County. For 30 years he has worked a small business in Pekin while living in the county's rural areas. Delavan, Green Valley, and Tremont are all towns he has called home. Eric and his wife Angela have raised 2 children. They are proud to note that their son Aiden was an Eagle Scout and daughter Summer was an ROTC scholarship award winner because of her decorated service in the Civil Air Patrol. Because of Eric’s church, Scouting, and work experience, he has found himself constantly working with future citizens of Tazewell County. The youth all say the same thing… “When I leave this area…” We need to change this mindset.As someone who has built a life in Tazewell County, Eric believes we have a lot to offer. Wonderful small communities, great schools, agricultural abundance, and natural beauty are a great foundation for Tazewell County as a lifelong destination. Eric has served on a committee with the board before and is keenly aware of the issues affecting the county and residents today. As someone who uses technology in his daily job, Eric brings a mental toolbox filled with modern solutions that have been lacking from the board for some time. Eric is running for the next generation of citizens. Protecting private property laws, being aware of needed infrastructure upgrades, and bringing a new level of transparency are all motivations for running for county board. | ||
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County Board District 2 |
Cathryn Stump |
Morton |
| Hello everyone, I'm Cathryn Stump and I'm running for the Tazewell County Board District 2! I grew up in Bloomington/Normal, where I participated in marching band and 4H, and then went to the University of Illinois, originally in the school of agriculture then elementary education, I would later get my Master’s Degree in Wheaton, IL I taught for 10 years including 4 years at Broadmoor Jr. High School in Pekin, before staying home with my three children, Anna, Jack and Henry. I’ve stayed heavily involved in the community through their various sports and activities, especially with Henry who has Autism and Type I Diabetes. I’m running for County Board because I want to bring my life experience and core conservative beliefs of Limited Government, Low Taxes, and Economic Freedom to the Board’s decision-making processes. As a former educator with a Master’s Degree in Curriculum and Instruction I love researching issues and asking all the hard questions. Before every vote on any issue I will ask (1) How will this benefit the residents of Tazewell County, and (2) how much of their hard-earned money will it cost? I have strong communication skills and am a great listener who is truly able to understand the concerns and motivations of the residents of our County. I would also like to bring more ideas and information to the board for every topic that it considers. I will be the residents of Tazewell County District 2’s “voice on the board!” | ||
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County Board District 3 |
Bill Atkins |
Washington |
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I am a partner in the law firm of Johnson, Bunce & Noble, P.C. and I am running for my third term on the Tazewell County Board. Prior to going into private practice, I was Chief Civil Assistant State’s Attorney in both Tazewell and Peoria counties for approximately 20 years. My experience as an attorney has made me more knowledgeable about county government and a more effective County Board Member. I want to continue working toward greater local authority over wind and solar energy installations, pipelines, and other similar facilities. I would also like to continue to work on property tax reductions, such as by providing county services at a reasonable cost with those receiving the services bearing as much of the cost as possible, rather than relying on property taxes. In our most recent tax levy, I was able to get ten votes to reduce county property taxes and with the expected changes in our Board after the election I am hopeful that I will be able to garner the eleven votes necessary to achieve tax relief in my next term. |
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County Board District 3 |
Eric Schmidgall |
Mackinaw |
| I am a 3rd generation farmer in Mackinaw IL. My family has deep roots in Tazewell County, farming this land for over 100 years. Two of my children have come back to farm and raise their families here. I care deeply about securing a stable future for the next generation and the communities in which we live. I strive to balance a growth mindset while maintaining conservative values. After attending board and committee meetings for the last several years, I felt compelled to run because change is needed. During tough times, more spending and increased taxes is not the answer. I want to ensure responsible spending of tax dollars by maintaining a non-deficit budget, promote transparency to the public and eliminate government overreach and overlook. I would be a voice for our rural communities. I will protect private property rights without backing down. I hope that by serving on the county board I can bring positive change to the county. I know the importance of looking at all issues with an eye of discernment and will apply this skill as a County Board member. I am not a career politician, rather I have a successful business background, have served 2 full terms on the Farm Bureau board and hold a strong work ethic that I believe will serve the people of Tazewell County well. Change starts local and I will not back away from a problem until I find a solution. There are many new candidates running for the board for a reason, change in government is needed and good. I would appreciate your vote on March 19! | ||
The 2024 General Primary Election will be held on Tuesday, March 19. In all, there are 46 Republicans seeking 23 public offices on Tazewell County ballots. 17 of those Republicans, including Rep. Darin LaHood, are running uncontested in the primaries. Only 4 Democrats will challenge the 23 Republican primary winners, and none of the 4 Democrats will be challenging Republicans running for county offices.