LAKE COUNTY, IL — Lake County voters will decide whether to give Sheriff John Idleburg another four years in office or elect Republican challenger Roman Buchberger when they head to the polls Tuesday.
Idleburg, a Democrat who has served as sheriff since 2018, is seeking a third four-year term leading the county's largest law enforcement agency. Buchberger, a Zion resident with 32 years of law enforcement experience, is challenging the incumbent with an emphasis on staffing, community policing and rehabilitation programs.
The candidates outlined their positions in questionnaires submitted to Patch ahead of the general election, addressing issues including Illinois' SAFE-T Act, immigration enforcement, police surveillance, the fentanyl crisis and accountability for officer-involved shootings.
The winner will oversee an agency responsible for patrol operations, criminal investigations, the county jail, court security and specialized law enforcement services throughout Lake County.
Idleburg, a Zion resident and U.S. Marine Corps veteran, began his law enforcement career as a Lake County sheriff's deputy before serving with the Great Lakes Police Department and later entering federal law enforcement. He worked as a special investigator with the U.S. Department of Defense and a special agent with the U.S. Treasury Department.
Since taking office in 2018, Idleburg has overseen more than 500 sworn and civilian employees. In his candidate questionnaire, he highlighted the expansion of the department's K9 Unit from three dogs to 11, improvements to its Marine Unit and the development of school safety and mental health programs.
"The most pressing public safety challenge facing Lake County is the growing complexity of crime and the underlying issues that contribute to it, including illegal drugs, gun violence, human trafficking, and how law enforcement responds to those in mental health crisis," he said. "Addressing these challenges requires more than arrests. It requires collaboration, prevention, and a coordinated approach to public safety."
Idleburg also pointed to improvements at the county jail, which he said recently received national recognition for innovation. He said his record distinguishes him from Buchberger, arguing that he has demonstrated an ability to manage the agency and strengthen partnerships.
Buchberger, a Republican who also lives in Zion, cited 32 years of law enforcement experience and previous police administration experience as his qualifications for sheriff.
In his questionnaire submitted to Patch, Buchberger identified staffing, rehabilitation and diversion programs as pressing priorities. He said he would emphasize community policing and programs that benefit both residents and Sheriff's Office personnel.
Buchberger also said he believes the sheriff's position should be nonpartisan to preserve the office's integrity.
The candidates offered different assessments of Lake County's most pressing public safety needs.
Idleburg identified drug trafficking, gun violence, human trafficking and mental health emergencies among the county's major challenges. He said addressing those issues requires cooperation among law enforcement agencies, courts, community organizations and public health professionals.
"I also work closely with our local, state, and federal law enforcement partners, as well as legislators, to address emerging public safety concerns, strengthen our laws, and ensure our communities have the resources they need," he said.
Idleburg highlighted the Lake County Criminal Justice Community Council, which he established in 2019 to bring together criminal justice officials and community representatives to examine problems and develop solutions. In addition, the Sheriff's Office's Crisis Outreach and Support Team, known as COaST, pairs law enforcement officers with mental health clinicians during certain emergency responses.
"This allows the team to slow things down and take their time to deescalate, bring the situation to resolution, and offer services to the person experiencing the crisis, along with their family. We've successfully connected over 7,500 people to services since the inception and expansion of COaST," he said.
He said he wants to continue investing in mental health response services, school safety initiatives and efforts targeting violent crime.
Buchberger, meanwhile, identified staffing, rehabilitation and diversion programs as the county's most pressing public safety priorities. His responses emphasized improving community policing and providing services that could help prevent residents from entering the criminal justice system.
Illinois' SAFE-T Act, which became a statewide law in September 2023, eliminated cash bail. The law changed how judges determine whether defendants should remain in custody before trial, replacing monetary bail with a system based on statutory detention criteria.
Idleburg said the legislation has produced positive changes, although he believes some provisions should continue to be evaluated. He argued decisions about pre-trial detention should not depend primarily on a defendant's ability to pay.
Idleburg said the law has required adjustments by police, prosecutors, courts and correctional facilities but has not prevented judges from detaining defendants who meet legal requirements.
He also said he worked with state legislators when the law was introduced to address concerns about its potential impact on law enforcement.
Buchberger took a different position, saying he does not believe the SAFE-T Act or elimination of cash bail has been effective.
He identified two concerns: differences in financial resources among communities and what he views as insufficient assistance for underserved and at-risk populations.
Buchberger said the law does not adequately help those communities avoid negative interactions with law enforcement.
Neither candidate provided specific Lake County crime statistics in their questionnaire responses to demonstrate the law's impact.
MORE ON PATCH: Lake County Sheriff Candidates Clash Over
The candidates also differed on automated license plate readers, including Flock cameras, which law enforcement agencies use to identify vehicles associated with criminal investigations.
Idleburg defended the technology as an important investigative resource. He said the Sheriff's Office has used automated license plate readers in investigations involving stolen vehicles, property crimes, kidnappings and homicides.
Idleburg acknowledged privacy concerns but said his administration has implemented restrictions governing access to the technology. According to Idleburg, those safeguards include requiring legitimate law enforcement purposes for searches, maintaining records of system activity and conducting regular audits.
He said employees who misuse the systems could face disciplinary action, termination or criminal prosecution.
"I'm a firm believer in accountability. Just as with any other law enforcement database or investigative system, anyone who abuses this technology must be held accountable," he said. "Depending on the circumstances, that can include discipline up to termination and criminal prosecution."
Buchberger expressed greater skepticism about the technology, citing concerns about its potential misuse for government surveillance.
He did not outline specific additional safeguards or indicate whether he would discontinue the technology if elected.
The issue has attracted attention as Lake County has invested in additional surveillance equipment.
Immigration enforcement is another issue facing the candidates as local law enforcement agencies navigate requests from federal authorities.
Illinois' TRUST Act restricts participation by local law enforcement agencies in federal civil immigration enforcement, including detention based solely on federal immigration detainers. Idleburg said his administration follows state law and does not arrest or detain individuals solely on the basis of administrative immigration requests.
"Illinois law clearly defines the role of local law enforcement in federal civil immigration matters through the TRUST Act and other applicable laws. The bottom line is that we cannot and do not arrest or detain individuals solely based on requests or immigration detainers issued by federal immigration authorities," he said. "We act when there is appropriate legal authority, such as a criminal warrant issued by a judge or magistrate, rather than an administrative immigration request."
Idleburg also emphasized maintaining relationships with immigrant communities, arguing crime victims and witnesses should feel comfortable contacting police without fear of immigration consequences.
Buchberger offered a shorter response, saying the Sheriff's Office should protect constitutional rights and maintain peace.
His questionnaire did not specify how he would handle individual requests from federal immigration authorities or whether he would seek changes to the department's existing procedures.
Both candidates addressed illegal drug trafficking and the opioid crisis, although their proposals differed in detail.
Idleburg said his approach combines enforcement against drug trafficking organizations with prevention, addiction treatment and recovery services. He credited the Sheriff's Office's Special Investigations Group with conducting hundreds of investigations and making hundreds of arrests involving drug, firearm and human trafficking offenses during his administration.
"In the past 8-years, this team conducted hundreds criminal investigations and arrested hundreds individuals involved in drug, gun, and human trafficking, while seizing more than $50 million in illegal drugs, including pounds of deadly fentanyl," he said.
He said the sheriff's office also works with the Lake County Coroner's Office, public health professionals and treatment providers on prevention and recovery initiatives.
Buchberger said he would continue educating and supporting communities while working alongside other law enforcement agencies.
His questionnaire did not identify specific changes to the department's drug enforcement strategy.
Voters can review the candidates' complete responses in Patch's John Idleburg questionnaire and Roman Buchberger questionnaire. Additional information is available through the candidates' campaign websites, Vote John Idleburg and Elect Roman 2026.
The general election is Tuesday, and the winner will serve a four-year term.For full coverage of the 2026 election in Illinois, go here.
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