The top of the ballot gets the attention, but the offices further down run your elections, collect your property taxes, keep the county jail and decide the county budget. Each explainer cites the Illinois Constitution, state law or the office itself. How we check our facts
Federal
6 yearsU.S. SenateIllinois' two U.S. Senators write and vote on federal laws, confirm the President's nominees and approve treaties.
2 yearsU.S. House, 15th DistrictThe U.S. Representative for Illinois' 15th District, which includes all of Logan County, writes and votes on federal laws for a two-year term.
State of Illinois
4 yearsGovernor and Lieutenant GovernorThe Governor runs the executive branch of Illinois state government, proposes the state budget and signs or vetoes bills. The Lieutenant Governor is elected on the same ticket.
4 yearsAttorney GeneralThe Attorney General is Illinois' chief legal officer: the state's lawyer in court, and the office that handles consumer protection.
4 yearsSecretary of StateThe Secretary of State keeps the state's official records and runs driver's licenses, vehicle registration, the State Library and the organ donor registry.
4 yearsComptrollerThe Comptroller keeps the state's books and writes the checks: no state bill is paid without the Comptroller's warrant.
4 yearsTreasurerThe Treasurer holds and invests the state's money, and runs programs like I-Cash unclaimed property and Bright Start college savings.
2 or 4 years (a 2-4-4 cycle each decade)Illinois State Senate, 44th DistrictState Senators make Illinois law and pass the state budget. Logan County is in the 44th Senate District.
2 yearsIllinois House, 87th DistrictState Representatives make Illinois law and pass the state budget, for two-year terms. Logan County is in the 87th House District.
Logan County
4 yearsCounty Clerk and RecorderThe Logan County Clerk and Recorder runs local elections, records deeds, issues marriage licenses, and computes property tax rates.
4 yearsCounty TreasurerThe Logan County Treasurer collects every property tax bill in the county and passes the money on to schools, cities, townships and other local districts.
4 yearsSheriffThe Logan County Sheriff keeps the peace across the county, runs the county jail, secures the courthouse and serves court papers.
4 years (some seats 2 years)County BoardThe Logan County Board is the county's legislature: it passes the budget, sets the county property tax levy and makes county ordinances.
Schools and courts
4 yearsRegional Superintendent of SchoolsThe Regional Superintendent runs the Regional Office of Education: school safety inspections, bus driver training, GED testing, truancy and educator licensing help.
6 yearsCircuit Judge and judicial retentionCircuit judges hear the cases in Logan County's courthouse, from traffic and family cases to felonies. New judges are elected; sitting judges face a yes-or-no retention vote.
Early voting is open now
Logan County Courthouse, Room 20, 601 Broadway St, Lincoln
- Weekdays through Nov. 2: 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM
- Open late, until 6:30 PM: Tue Sept. 29, Thu Oct. 15 and Mon Nov. 2
- Saturday, Oct. 31: 8:30 AM to noon
- Closed Monday, Oct. 12 (Columbus Day)
Election Day, Tuesday, Nov. 3: polls are open 6:00 AM to 7:00 PM at your own polling place. Where do I vote?
Hours from the Logan County Clerk's early voting notice. If anything here disagrees with the Clerk, the Clerk is right.