Death of Sangamon County Board member will trigger special election

O'Neill represented District 26, which is the Chatham area. The Republican was first elected to the board in 2002 and defeated Democratic challenger Rusty Jones in the 2022 election.

In an email, Gray said the special election was being held because more than 28 months remain in the term.

Precinct committeepersons from each established political party in District 26 will meet to determine their candidate. Those candidates must be named by Aug. 28, Gray said.

Candidates are required to file paperwork, including a statement of economic interest receipt, Gray said.

The winner of the Nov. 5 race will serve in the seat until 2026, when this office was scheduled to appear on the ballot.

Meanwhile, Board Chairman Andy Van Meter will have until just after Labor Day to appoint a person to fill the seat in the interim. That candidate, said Sangamon County spokesperson Jeff Wilhite, must a Republican and live in District 26.

The appointee could run in the Nov. 5 election, if he or she is the choice of the Republican Party committee, Wilhite added.

Additional information can be obtained by calling the county election office at 217-753-8683.

Contact Steven Spearie: 217-622-1788; sspearie@sj-r.com; X, twitter.com/@StevenSpearie.