How to Run for Public Office
In the March 27 edition of The Community News Brief, we shared information on how to provide public comment at city/ county government meetings, and contact your local officials. For those who want to do even more, this Did You Know provides information on how to run for public office.
To run for Macomb City Council, McDonough County Board, the Macomb Public Library Board, Spoon River College Board, Macomb Park District Board and the Macomb School Board, as well as for town/ village council/board positions in neighboring McDonough County communities and select other elected positions/offices, a potential candidate must first file to place their name on the ballot (and some elected positions require a petition with a certain number of signatures required).
How to File: When and how to file to run for office (including as a write-in candidate), deadline(s) to file, candidate requirements (e.g., residency and qualifications) and more information is available on the Illinois Board of Elections website (tinyurl.com/ILBdElections; click on link for most recent year's Candidate's Guide).
Elected Positions: Candidate applications and petitions, when required, must be completed by assigned deadline(s) to ensure a candidate's name is placed on the ballot. Election forms can be obtained from a variety of places (see shaded box), depending on the office being sought. In addition, elections for city/county/township offices vary depending on the year and office/position.
City of Macomb: Applications available at Macomb City Clerk (Macomb City Hall).
Macomb City Clerk (non-partisan): Elected to a four-year term.
Macomb City Council (non-partisan): Seven alderpersons elected to four-year terms.
Macomb City Treasurer (non-partisan): Elected to a four-year term.
Mayor (non-partisan): Elected to a fouryear term.
Macomb Public Library Board: Applications available at Macomb Library.
Macomb Public Library Board (non-partisan): Seven trustees elected to six-year terms.
Macomb Park District: Applications available at the Park District Office.
Macomb Park District (non-partisan): Five commissioners elected to four-year terms.
Macomb School Board: Applications available at McDonough County Clerk's Office.
Macomb School Board (non-partisan):
Seven members elected to four-year terms.
McDonough County: Applications available at McDonough County Clerk's Office.
McDonough County Board (partisan): 21 members elected to four-year terms.
McDonough County Circuit Clerk (partisan): Elected to a four-year term.
McDonough County Coroner (partisan): Elected to a four-year term.
McDonough County Sheriff (partisan): Elected to a four-year term.
McDonough County State's Attorney (partisan): Elected to a four-year term.
McDonough County Treasurer (partisan): Elected to a four-year term.
McDonough County Circuit Court Judges: Applications available through the Illinois Supreme Court.
Regional Office of Education No. 26 Superintendent (partisan): Applications available through the State Board of Elections. Elected to a four-year term.
Spoon River College Board: Applications available at the Spoon River College Main Office.
SRC Board of Trustees (non-partisan): Eight trustees elected to six-year terms.
Nominated Positions (Macomb): McDonough District Hospital Board (non-partisan): Appointed by County Board Chair. Self- or other nominations and/or Board Chair solicits nominees for MDH Board of Directors. County Board approves MDH Board members that are brought forward by the Board Chair.
City of Macomb Boards & Commissions (non-partisan): Interested candidates can complete a questionnaire at tinyurl. com/CityofMacombBdForm. Appointed by Macomb Mayor, with approval by the Macomb City Council.
Equal Opportunity & Fair Housing Commission: Eight members serving fouryear terms.
Fire & Police Commission: Three members serving three-year terms.
Historic Preservation Committee: Nine members serving three-year terms.
Liquor Advisory Commission: Three members serving three-year terms.
Planning Commission: 13 members serving three-year terms.
Tree Board: Five members serving threeyear terms.
Zoning Board of Appeals: Seven members serving five-year terms.
Individuals interested in running for office can receive updates from the State Board of Elections, including filing information, dates and more can sign up to get notified at
