Election filings begin Monday

<p dir="ltr"><span>The future leadership of the city of Chester and the village of Steeleville will be determined next year.</span>

<p dir="ltr"><span>The filing period for the April 4 consolidated election begins Monday and lasts until Dec. 19 and both Steeleville Mayor Bob Sutton and Chester Mayor Tom Page are up for reelection.</span>

<p dir="ltr"><span>In separate interviews with the newspaper, both indicated they plan to pursue reelection.</span>

<p dir="ltr"><span>"My petitions are just about filled up and I'll probably file on Day 1," Page said.</span>

<p dir="ltr"><span>Also up for reelection are Chester aldermen Mike Blechle (Ward 4), Dan Geisen (Ward 1), Dan Ohlau (Ward 2) and Robert Platt (Ward 3), City Clerk Bethany Berner and City Treasurer Donna Clendenin.</span>

<p dir="ltr"><span>People interested in running for any of the spots are advised to pick up the packet from Berner - who stated she plans to run for reelection - at Chester City Hall. The filing period ends at 5 p.m. on Dec. 19.</span>

<p dir="ltr"><span>Berner said she anticipates most people will file on the first day.</span><span><br class="kix-line-break" /></span><span>"If you file right away, your name will be listed first on the ballot," she said.</span>

<p dir="ltr"><span>Four seats on the Chester District 139 Board of Education are also up for re-election, as the current terms of Jamie Eggemeyer, Troy Clendenin, Dan Colvis and Debi Caraway are expiring.</span>

<p dir="ltr"><span>All are four-year terms. Interested persons are required to be at least 18 years of age and a resident of District 139 for at least one year immediately preceding the election.</span>

<p dir="ltr"><span>The school board election is nonpartisan and candidates do not run under political party affiliation.</span>

<p dir="ltr"><span>"(Interested persons) could pick up a packet at either here or or the courthouse," said District 139 Secretary Sheri Coughlin. "They have to have a petition with 50 signatures and there are several forms to fill out."</span>

<p dir="ltr"><span>The forms include a nominating petition containing signatures of citizens who are registered to vote in the district, a statement of candidacy, a receipt from the county clerk's office showing a filed Statement of Economic Interest and an optional loyalty oath.</span>

<p dir="ltr"><span>Interested persons could begin circulating their petitions on Sept. 20.</span>

<p dir="ltr"><span>In Steeleville, village trustees Shane Hill, Cindy Sickmeyer and Tim Eichenseer are also up for re-election.</span>

<p dir="ltr"><span>Steeleville Village Clerk Becky Kiehna said interested persons can visit her office or the county clerk at the courthouse to pick up a packet.</span>

<p dir="ltr"><span>Potential candidates must also submit petitions with between 26 and 76 signatures.</span>

<p dir="ltr"><span>"Not less than or more than," Kiehna said. "They also have to be Steeleville residents within the Steeleville village corporate limits."</span>

<p dir="ltr"><span>Kiehna also clarified the Statement of Economic Interest form in the packet.</span>

<p dir="ltr"><span>"It asks you if you have a business that does business with the township you're running for," she said. "If you do, please disclose it, if not you're good to go."</span>

<p dir="ltr"><span>The Steeleville District 138 Board of Education has three seats coming open as Rick Smith, Fred Frederking and Margo Block are up for reelection.</span>