Will County Election: Key Races for Clerk, Schools, and Treasurer

Will County Clerk Election

In the upcoming general election, three incumbents in Will County are seeking reelection, each facing a challenger. For the clerk position, voters have a choice between Republican incumbent Annette Parker and Democratic challenger Michelle Stiff.

Annette Parker, a 56-year-old from Crest Hill, was elected clerk in a 2024 special election after the resignation of the previous clerk. In that election, Parker won with 50.2% of the vote, narrowly defeating Stiff, who received 49.8%. The county clerk is responsible for overseeing elections, maintaining vital records, and working with the treasurer and auditor on property tax levies.

Parker highlights her 10 years of experience on the Will County Board and her work as past president of the Forest Preserve District of Will County board. She believes in performing her duties without political bias. Parker has implemented modernizations, such as expanding electronic payment options and digitizing records. Her office also secured $108,000 in grants from the Illinois State Board of Elections to improve election accessibility and security.

Michelle Stiff, a 59-year-old from Joliet, is the director of the Workforce Services Division of Will County. She oversees a $7 million budget and previously served as president of the Joliet Township High School District 204 board. Stiff advocates for government transparency and aims to increase civic engagement and voter participation. She plans to establish an advisory group to address voter access issues and promote voting among young adults.

Regional Superintendent of Schools

The race for regional superintendent of schools features Republican incumbent Elizabeth Caparelli-Ruff and Democratic challenger Theresa Rouse.

Caparelli-Ruff, 56, from Homer Glen, holds a doctorate in educational leadership. She has experience as a special education teacher, dean, principal, and director of special education. Caparelli-Ruff emphasizes her office’s role in supporting communities during tragedies and improving school security measures. She has also focused on enhancing Lincoln School facilities to create a better learning environment for students.

Theresa Rouse, 64, of Joliet, has been the superintendent of Joliet Public School District 86 for 11 years and has worked in education for 34 years. She has served in similar roles in California. Rouse aims to enhance support for superintendents and provide equal resources to all students, regardless of their ZIP code. She highlights the need for advocacy at state and federal levels to address public education challenges.

Treasurer Election

Democratic incumbent Tim Brophy seeks reelection as Will County treasurer, facing Republican challenger Carmen Maurella III.

Brophy, 63, from Joliet, is aiming for his third term. With a background in business administration and finance, he has implemented improvements in the treasurer’s office, such as investing pandemic relief funds and offering digital payments to reduce costs. He is also working to negotiate lower credit card fees and has cut office costs by reducing staff and avoiding unnecessary purchases.

Carmen Maurella III, 51, of Homer Glen, serves as the Homer Township assessor. With a background in accounting, he has modernized the assessor’s office, focusing on digitizing records and improving communication. Maurella intends to bring similar efficiencies to the treasurer’s office. He plans to introduce mobile-friendly services for better public access to property tax information and prevent equity theft through compliance with new state legislation.