New Lenox 2026 Voter Guide: Everything You Need To Know

NEW LENOX, IL — The Nov. 3 General Election is less than a month away, and will include the gubernatorial race, as well as various county races, sheriff, assessor and more.

Early voting has already kicked off across the Chicago area, with additional early voting locations set to open Oct. 19 in some places. In New Lenox, Village Hall serves as an early voting site beginning Oct. 19.

Take a look at what's on the ballot in the New Lenox area for the Nov. 3 General Election. Here's everything you need to know to cast your vote, from voter registration to polling places to mail-in voting cutoffs.

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State Representative, 80th Congressional District

Incumbent Anthony DeLuca (D-Chicago Heights) goes up against Republican Adam Beaty. It's the second time the two have faced off, with DeLuca victorious in 2024.

DeLuca—who ran unopposed in his party's March 2026 primary—was appointed to the District 80 seat in 2009, after serving six years as mayor of Chicago Heights.

He is currently Chairman of the House Cities & Villages Committee and "continues to push state government to be more transparent, while fighting for measures that will expand business development in the region with the goal of creating better paying jobs," according to his website.

He passed leadership term limits and sponsored legislation to stop politicians from announcing taxpayer-funded projects within 60 days of an election. He’s a longtime supporter of the regional efforts to attract more development through improving transportation infrastructure, including the construction of a third regional cargo airport and the Illiana Expressway. Find out more about DeLuca.

Republican and Braidwood Police Sgt. Beaty also ran unopposed in his party's primary. His platform stresses "safer streets, stronger schools, and a more affordable Illinois," according to his website.

Beaty started his law-enforcement career in 2013 with the Shorewood Police Department. In 2020, he joined the Braidwood Police Department and was promoted to sergeant in 2024. Currently, he serves as a night-shift sergeant, overseeing patrol operations and supporting the department’s day-to-day readiness.

He tells voters he's "an advocate for safe neighborhoods, strong schools, and an Illinois where working families can get ahead."

Find out more about him on his website.

U.S. Representative 1st Congressional District

Incumbent Democrat Jonathan Jackson beat write-in candidate Jerico Brown to face off against Republican Christian Maxwell Nov. 3. Maxwell won the Republican nod over Marcus Lewis.

Jackson is in his second term. He is the son of civil rights leaders Rev. Jesse Jackson and Jacqueline Jackson. He served as the national spokesman for the Rainbow PUSH Coalition, where he spotlighted issues related to innocence and juvenile justice. He has worked to address cases of false confessions by the Chicago Police Department. He has also pushed to expand educational opportunities for families of all income levels. Find out more about Jackson.

Republican Maxwell is a conservative businesswoman, marketing strategist and mother of four. She describes herself as a marketing professional who has worked with brands to drive measurable growth, develop strategy, and connect with everyday people.

She's a homeschooling mother who "understands firsthand the challenges families face when it comes to education, safety, affordability, and opportunity," according to her website. She wants to lower taxes, make neighborhoods safer, improve schools and make housing affordable. Find out more.

Will County Board District 2

Three will vie for 2 spots representing Will County Board District 2. Republican incumbents Frankie Pretzel and Judy Ogalla face Democrat challenger Bob Howard. Pretzel and Ogalla previously defeated Howard in 2022.

Ogalla, 65, of Monee, was first elected to the board in 2012 and served as the County Board Chair from 2022 to 2024. She is a retired information technology professional and president of the Will County Forest Preserve District board.

Pretzel, 47, of New Lenox, was first elected to the board in 2020. He is owner of Crumbl Cookies locations in Mokena, Lockport and Bolingbrook.

They're running based on their record of opposing property tax increases. Ogalla also openly opposes an airport in Peotone. Pretzel wants to make sure funding is available to help fight crime, especially commonly occurring smash-and-grabs.

Howard served six years on the Will County Board and eight years as Washington Township Supervisor. He wants "safer roads, responsive services, and responsible decision" in the district.

Voters will pick two candidates, for two-year terms. District 2 covers areas of New Lenox, Manhattan, Peotone and eastern Will County to the Indiana state line.

Voters Will Elect New Sheriff For First Time In Years

Back in the spring, Democrat and three-term Will County Sheriff Mike Kelley urged the voters of Will County to follow his recommendation and make newly appointed Undersheriff Dan Jungles the next sheriff. The majority of the voters in the Democratic Party ignored Kelley's endorsement and decided it was time to bring an end to the Kelley administration.

Road Patrol Sgt. Patrick Jones had 59 percent of the Democratic primary vote, compared to Jungles at 40 percent. In February 2025, Jones had announced his candidacy for Will County Sheriff and plans to compete against Jungles.

"I currently have 24 years of experience between the jail and being a police officer with the Will County Sheriff's Office," Jones announced in his introductory YouTube video. "I hold the rank of sergeant, patrol division, right now. The reason for me running is that I believe that the squad car has become a barrier to the community, and we need more interaction with the community. I want to build trust through transparency."

On Nov. 3, Jones will go up against well-known Will County Sheriff's Deputy James "Jim" Reilly, who is making his third bid to become the sheriff as a Republican.

In 2022, Reilly was ahead against Kelley in the last general election on election night, only to lose after all the mail-in ballots were counted afterward.

Will County Government Contested Races

There are several more Will County offices that face contested races on Nov. 3.

Incumbent Will County Treasurer Tim Brophy, a Democrat, faces Republican challenger Carmen Maurella III, while incumbent Regional Superintendent of Schools Elizabeth Caparelli-Ruff, the Republican, is vying against retiring Joliet School District 86 Superintendent Theresa Rouse, who is a Democrat.

Incumbent Will County Clerk Annette Parker, a Republican, faces Democrat challenger Michelle Stiff.

Will County Judges Up For Retention, 1 Contested Race

Several of Will County's longtime judges, including Amy Bertani-Tomczak, who has served on the bench for 32 years, are up for retention. Of the judges up for retention, they must receive at least 60 percent of the yes vote from the Will County voters to remain on the bench for another six years. The last Will County Circuit Judge who was kicked off the bench by the voters was Judge Edward "Ned" Masters in the 1990s.

In addition to Amy Bertani-Tomczak, Chief Judge Daniel Kennedy, along with Daniel Rippy and Sarah Jones, is up for retention. As for the open circuit court judge positions, Associate Will County Judge Amy Christiansen, a Democrat, is running against Plainfield criminal defense lawyer JohnPaul Ivec, a Republican, to fill the vacancy of Dave Carlson, who left the bench to return to being a private practice attorney in Will and Grundy Counties.

Other Races To Watch

All New Lenox voters will have several statewide contests on their ballots.

• U.S. Senate: Democrat Juliana Stratton faces Republican Don Tracy in the race for U.S. Senate.
• Illinois Governor and Lieutenant Governor: Democratic Gov. JB Pritzker is seeking another term, facing off against Republican Darren Bailey.
• Illinois Attorney General: Democratic Attorney General Kwame Raoul faces Republican Bob Fioretti.
• Illinois Secretary of State: Democratic Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias faces Republican Diane Harris.
• Illinois Comptroller: Democrat Margaret Croke faces Republican Bryan Drew.
• Illinois Treasurer: Democratic Treasurer Michael Frerichs faces Republican Max Solomon.

Registering To Vote

If you're not sure if you're registered to vote, you can check online. To register to vote, you must be a U.S. citizen who is at least 18 years old — or will be 18 by Election Day — and you must have lived in your precinct for at least 30 days prior to the election.

Online voter registration is available until Oct. 18 on the Illinois Board of Elections website. To register online, residents must have a driver's license or state ID, or a Social Security number.

Even if you miss that deadline, you can take advantage of grace period in-person voter registration at your county clerk's office or permanent early voting locations. You can also register at your polling place on Election Day.

To register in person, you'll need to bring two forms of ID, with at least one showing your current address.

Where To Vote

Early voting locations are open now, with additional locations opening in some counties on Oct. 19.

For New Lenox residents, early voting locations include:

• Will County Clerk's Office, 302 N. Chicago St.
  • Oct. 12–16: 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
  • Oct. 19–23: 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
  • Oct. 24: 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.
  • Oct. 25: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
  • Oct. 26–30: 8:30 a.m. to 7 p.m.
  • Oct. 31: 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
  • Nov. 1: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.
  • Nov. 2: 8:30 a.m. - 7 p.m.
• New Lenox Village Hall, 1 Veterans Pkwy.
  • Oct. 19–23: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
  • Oct. 26–30: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

If you plan to vote on Election Day and don't know your polling place, you can find it here. The polls are open from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Voting By Mail

If you want to vote by mail, you must apply online or in person by Oct. 29 through your county's election authority. Find vote-by-mail ballot applications here:

• Will County

Ballots must be postmarked or placed in a dropbox by Election Day, Nov. 3, to count.

Find your local mail-in voting drop boxes here.

Find Your Sample Ballot

If you want to take a look at your local election ballot, you can do so here:

• Will County

For full coverage of the 2026 election in Illinois, go here.