FREEPORT, IL – October 15, 2025
The Role of the County Board
Few local bodies wield more influence over daily life in Stephenson County than the County Board. With 16 elected members representing districts across the county, this board acts as both the legislative and fiscal authority for local government.
Members decide how your tax dollars are spent — on roads, law enforcement, public health, zoning, and infrastructure. They approve contracts, oversee county departments, and set policies that shape the future of every small town, village, and rural community in Stephenson County.
In short: while state and national elections get the headlines, the County Board quietly governs the foundation of local life.
The Current Board
Stephenson County’s 16-member board is currently composed of 12 Republicans and 4 Democrats:
Democrats: Lynette Williams, Ronnie Bush, Samuel Newton, Adam Moderow
Republicans: Todd McKenna, Lou Ann Hayes, Dale Diddens, William (Bill) Hadley, Larry Jogerst, Brooke Deininger-Wagner, Scott Helms, Jackie DeMeester, Nicole Baker, Steve Fricke, Brian Brandt, Timothy Whalen
Terms are staggered, and half of these seats will appear on the March 17, 2026 primary ballot — yet you’d hardly know it. Despite the significance of these positions, neither major political party has publicly discussed who is running, what issues matter, or why residents should care.
The Silence Before the Ballot
Both the Stephenson County Democratic Party, chaired by Jody Coss, and the Stephenson County Republican Central Committee, chaired by State Senator Andrew Chesney, appear disengaged from the upcoming County Board elections.
The Democratic Party’s website lists outdated information, focusing on past elections and offering no resources or announcements about upcoming county races.
The Republican Party’s website is similarly sparse, showing no details on candidates, precinct captains, or voter guides for 2026.
This digital silence mirrors a broader question circulating among residents: If both parties claim to “serve the people,” why aren’t they informing the people?
The County Board No One Talks About: Stephenson County’s Forgotten Election and the Silence of Both Parties
What Each Party Says They Stand For
According to filings with the Illinois State Board of Elections, the legal purpose of the two political committees is clear — at least on paper:
Stephenson County Republican Central Committee PAC: “Support Republican candidates.”
Stephenson County Democratic Party: “To elect Democrats & give assistance to residents of county.”
What “assistance” entails remains unclear — though for residents seeking county help, that line might be worth remembering.
What They’re Actually Focused On
While the County Board races go largely unmentioned, the local political spotlight has shifted elsewhere:
The Republican Party appears fixated on the Stephenson County Circuit Court Judge race between Karla M. Niemann and Judd Thruman — a judicial seat that, while important, doesn’t control county budgets or spending priorities.
The Democratic Party, meanwhile, seems focused on an intraparty contest for the Illinois 16th District State Central Committee, a race between the Chairman of the McLean County Democrats and Kevin Lamm, the Third Vice Chair of the Stephenson County Democrats.
Both parties appear to be looking up the political ladder instead of looking homeward.
Why It Matters
When local races are ignored, power consolidates quietly. The absence of competitive elections breeds complacency, backroom agreements, and a “status quo” mentality. That’s when taxpayers start whispering — wondering if the silence means both sides are content to keep things just the way they are.
Under the county’s current leadership, residents have watched:
Businesses close and jobs disappear.
Populations decline across rural towns.
Crime rates rise as resources shrink.
The same politically connected insiders thrive, while working families fall further behind.
Yet rather than presenting new ideas or candidates, both parties seem satisfied with a board that continues to approve large checks to the Greater Freeport Partnership, a nonprofit that functions as a marketing firm for the county — with little measurable return on taxpayer investment.
The Bigger Question
If the County Board controls the money,
if it determines the direction of local growth,
and if it holds the power to change the course of Stephenson County’s future,
then why aren’t voters hearing about it?
Why are there no debates, no announcements, no visible campaigns, and — most concerning of all — no competition?
Are both parties quietly agreeing to stick to the status quo?
A Call for Transparency
Democracy isn’t defended by slogans or yard signs. It’s defended by participation — by leaders willing to stand up and by voters willing to demand more.
Until both the Stephenson County Democratic and Republican Parties start talking about who’s running, what they stand for, and what they’ll do differently, the County Board will remain what it has become:
a quiet corner of local government where the decisions are public, but the process is silent.
Fighting4Freeport Perspective: Questions Every Voter Should Be Asking Before March 17
Who currently represents my County Board district, and what have they accomplished?
Are they running again — and if so, why?
What has either party done to recruit new candidates or expand civic participation?
Why are there no public forums or voter education events on the county’s budget, priorities, or contracts?
What is the measurable return on taxpayer investments like the Greater Freeport Partnership?
And most importantly: If no one’s watching, who’s really running Stephenson County?
