Joliet City Council, Mayor Candidate Filings

JOLIET, IL - Tuesday may have marked the general election, but there's another election just around the corner. April 2 marks the consolidated election and in the city of Joliet, that's a huge deal in 2019. In less than five months, voters in the state's third largest city will choose five members of the City Council as well as the Mayor.

On Wednesday, Joliet Patch visited the Joliet City Hall to find out who has already taken out candidate petitions so far.

As of this week. Mayor Bob O'Dekirk is the only person who intends to run for mayor. O'Dekirk will be seeking a second term in office after beating incumbent Tom Giarrante in 2015.

The City Council will have some new faces next year because John Gerl, who has held city office since 2010, will not be seeking re-election in District 3. So far, Joe Mutz, who was elected in 2015 to Joliet's Park District Board, plans to run for Gerl's seat.

In District 1, Larry Hug, who was first elected in 2011, will be running for a third term. Marc Ragusa has taken out nominating papers in hopes of defeating Hug.

In District 2, Patrick Mudron plans to seek a second term of office. He will face a challenge from Brandon Harris.

In District 4, Bettye Gavin, who was appointed to the council in 2014,will face a challenge from James Foster who ran against Gavin in 2015.

In District 5, incumbent Terry Morris is the only candidate to file so far. He operates the Minor-Morris Funeral Home in Joliet.

Main image of Joe Mutz via Joliet Park District