9 Months After Election, Ex-Sheriff Drops Recount, Accepts Result

WAUKEGAN, IL — Former Lake County Sheriff Mark Curran announced Saturday he has abandoned his legal challenge to the results of last November's election, three days after the start of a court-ordered recount.

Curran, 56, Libertyville Republican and former county prosecutor who served three terms as sheriff, was defeated nearly nine months ago by Sheriff John Idleburg, 64, a Zion Democrat and a former marine, deputy sheriff and federal agent.

Just 137 votes out of more than 245,000 separated the two candidates when Lake County Clerk's Office certified the results from the Nov. 6, 2018, election.

Curran requested a discovery recount last December, picking 66 precincts to be recounted. The results of that count could have been presented to a court as evidence to justify the recount of the county's other approximately 350 precincts.

"After manually and electronically reviewing the ballots cast in approximately 60% of the electoral precincts which were court-ordered to be recounted, it is clear to me that, even though the tally of total votes cast for Lake County Sheriff will likely be modified from the previously reported 137-vote difference, a further recount will not result in a change in the outcome of the election," Curran said in an Aug. 3 statement.

"As a result, I intend to notify the Lake County Circuit Court that I will voluntarily dismiss my Election Contest Petition this week."

Curran's campaign was on the hook for the cost of the recount if it did not change the election's results.

According to the Lake County News-Sun, the start of the recount was delayed by motions from Idelburg's attorneys to dismiss the recount request, arguments over how much of the cost Curran should have to cover upfront and multiple recusals from judges who had connections to the former sheriff.

In a statement in response to Curran's announcement, Idleburg said he looked forward to continuing to serve alongside the staff of the sheriff's office, as he has done for the past eight months.

"I am glad Mr. Curran confirmed what we already knew when the election was certified in November," Idleburg responded. "Like I’ve said since having the honor of being elected as your Sheriff, my focus has been strictly on improving community relations, building internal morale, enhancing our jail programming/re-entry, and protecting the citizens of our community — not the recount."

Ed Mullen, an attorney for Idleburg, said recounts "have become very rare and difficult to win with modern election technology," according to a statement after Curran called off the count.

"The recount process here not only confirmed Sheriff Idleburg’s election victory but also the accuracy and professionalism of the Lake County Clerk’s Office," he said.

Curran thanked the Lake County Republican Party and employees of the Lake County Clerk's Office, saying his 12 years at the sheriff's office was the "honor and privilege of a lifetime." He said he wished the best for Idleburg and his staff.

"I will keep them and their families in my prayers as they stand on the front line in opposing Chicago’s criminal element which attempts to infiltrate Lake County," Curran said.

Earlier: Discovery Recount Requested In Lake County Sheriff's Race