Several positions across county government in Peoria and Tazewell Counties are headed for competitive elections. Here’s a breakdown of the candidates entering the race for 2024.
In Peoria County, Democrat Jodi Hoos faces competition for the office of state’s attorney. She was unanimously appointed to the post by the county board in 2019, and is the first woman to hold the position.
Voters will choose between Hoos and Peoria Republican Robert Boucher in November 2024. Boucher is a trial attorney, who describes himself as having “over 40 years of experience in delivering unparalleled legal services.” Boucher’s website says he practices in criminal defense, personal injury, DUI defense and workers’ compensation.
On the Peoria County Board, Democratic incumbent Eden Blair is running against Peoria Republican challenger Brett Bleacher in District 6. Democrat Marcia McCann also looks to unseat incumbent Republican Nate Hoerr in District 8.
In Tazewell County, the position of board chairman will be left empty when incumbent David Zimmerman retires in November.
Tazewell County Auditor Brett Grimm filed for the chairman’s seat. Grimm served on the county board for almost a decade, then was elected to the auditor position in 2020. He told WCBU in July that he hopes to “stop infighting and boost transparency” as chairman.
Grimm would have faced Roy Paget in the March primary. The Morton Republican was originally elected to the board as a District 2 representative in 2022.
According to the Tazewell County Clerk, Paget submitted paperwork to withdraw his candidacy on Wednesday, Dec. 6.
However, there is still a race to fill the county auditor seat vacated by Grimm. District 1 county board member Kaden Nelms will run as a Republican. He was elected to his board seat in 2022, also as a Republican, but previously ran as an auditor candidate from the Libertarian party.
In a campaign video on his Nelms for Auditor Facebook page, he says the news of former Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevichs’ corruption scandal when he was in third grade sparked an interest in government accountability.
Nelms’ competitor for the seat is Republican William C. Funkhouser. On his campaign Facebook page, Funkhouser says he is a 16-year executive in residence at Bradley University and a full-time faculty member in the Economics and Finance Department.
He says his goals as auditor are improving professionalism and efficiency in the office and providing insightful reports to the board.
Additionally, Tazewell County Board Districts 2 and 3 have four candidates vying for three available seats. Tazewell County Clerk John Ackerman said all candidates that filed are Republicans.
