PRESS RELEASE

Date: 6/27/19

FORUM FOR INTERESTED TAZEWELL COUNTY CANDIDATES FOR 2020 ELECTION TO BE HELD SEPTEMBER 4TH

Tazewell County Clerk's Office, Illinois State Board of Elections, and Tazewell County Republican and Democratic Leadership to Host First-Ever Forum to Answer Questions of Interested Candidates for Tazewell County Government

PEKIN, IL: On September 4th, 2019, at 5:00pm in the Tazewell County Justice Center Community Room, a Forum for Candidates interested in campaigning for Tazewell County Government in the 2020 Elections. This first of its kind forum will be hosted by the Tazewell County Clerk's Office, the Illinois State Board of Elections, and the Tazewell County Republican and Democratic Party Leadership. The forum will be an opportunity to answer questions concerning the format and time-frame to submit the required paperwork, key dates for candidates throughout the upcoming election cycle, and guidelines for running for Public Office in Tazewell County.

The basis for this forum was outlined by Tazewell County Clerk John C. Ackerman shortly after taking office in December of 2018. "I want to provide an opportunity for complete transparency of not only what Tazewell County Government offices are available during the next election but also what citizens need to do to run for Public Office and the time-frame required to submit this information. I have heard too often from citizens interested in running for Public Office only to explain to them the time-frame to campaign for such positions has passed" stated Tazewell County Clerk John C. Ackerman. "The worst case is a citizen that does not run for Public Office because they do not understand how to do so. This forum will make sure that is not the situation here in Tazewell County" continued the County Clerk.

This Tazewell County bipartisan forum on September 4th will be the first of its kind within the State of Illinois and has drawn the attention of other County Clerk's that have observed similar confusion concerning campaigning for County Government.

“Individuals interested in becoming a candidate for office often feel overwhelmed by the requirements and procedures to run for office” stated Brent Davis, Director of Election Operations for the Illinois State Board of Elections. “The State Board of Elections has many resources available to educate candidates, and this event is a good opportunity for candidates to learn about those resources and have their questions answered” Davis continued.

This forum will be a bipartisan event, with the leadership of the Tazewell County Republican and Democratic Parties joined as host. The leadership will discuss common campaign guidelines for candidates for public office with the hope that a joint declaration of these guidelines will prevent bad habits.

“When the people see it is a time for change in government politics, then it is the people who must step forward and run for elected office to challenge the status quo and create the change needed. This is an excellent forum to learn how” commented Tazewell County Republican Chairman Jim Rule.

"Many people are looking for their way to get involved and affect change, and this forum will inform and empower folks to take those first steps" stated Brittany Miller, Chair of the Tazewell County Democrats.

The following Tazewell County Government offices will be up for election in 2020:

(Number of Openings) Elected Position – Length of Term

(1) Tazewell County Auditor - 4 Year Term

(1) Tazewell County Circuit Clerk - 4 Year Term

(1) Tazewell County Coroner - 4 Year Term

(1) Tazewell County States Attorney - 4 Year Term

(1) Tazewell County Board Chairman - 4 Year Term

(4) Tazewell County Board Member District One - 2 Year Term

(4) Tazewell County Board Member District Two - 2 Year Term

(4) Tazewell County Board Member District Three - 2 Year Term

(1) Tazewell County Board Member District Three - Unexpired 2 Year Term

This Forum for Candidates for the 2020 Election will take place on September 4th, 2019, at 5:00pm in the Tazewell County Justice Center Community Room. This event will be free and open to the public. Media coverage of this event is welcomed and encouraged. For questions concerning this event, please call the Tazewell County Clerk’s office at (309) 477-2264 ext #3.

John C. Ackerman

Tazewell County Clerk