Lake county illinois sheriff candidates 2022

View live results for the 2022 Illinois primary election. Live results will begin tabulating after polls close on Tuesday, June 28.

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These primary elections set the stage for the general election on Nov. 8.

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Lake County primary voters will on Tuesday select from a field of four candidates who hope to become, or remain, sheriff.

The two Democratic candidates, incumbent Sheriff John Idleburg and challenger William King, and Republican candidates Mark Vice and John Van Dien, are all currently associated with the sheriff’s office.

Three of the four appeared earlier this month in a League of Women Voters Forum via Zoom to offer ideas about the race. King and Idleburg responded to questions submitted by league members. Since Van Dien was not present to answer questions, the league limited Vice to a brief statement of candidacy

Vice, a 17-year department veteran, has worked in several sheriff’s office divisions including patrol, court security, school safety and community relations, and is the current president of the department’s Fraternal Order of Police lodge.

Mark Vice, Republican candidate for Lake County sheriff. - Original Credit: News-Sun (Mark Vice / HANDOUT)

At the forum, Vice said he would stress connection with the community if he were elected sheriff. He also said the department needs incentives to recruit more applicants to become patrol and correctional officers. Vice also said he would work with school officials to create a countywide safety plan for the 44 schools in unincorporated areas that lie within the department’s jurisdiction.

Van Dien has been a deputy for 36 years who has worked in several areas within the department. On his website, he stressed his family’s long ties to local law enforcement. Both his father and grandfather were North Chicago police officers.

John Van Dien, Republican candidate for Lake County sheriff. - Original Credit: News-Sun (William King / HANDOUT)

In his campaign announcement, Van Dien said he was tired of politicians putting victims and criminals ahead of police officers, and that it is time for safe streets and communities.

On the Democratic side, John Idleburg is seeking his second term as sheriff. Idleburg had a lengthy career as a federal Treasury Department special agent before being elected in 2018. At the forum, Idleburg said public safety remained his top priority, along with transparency and communicating with the public.

Lake County Sheriff John Idleburg. - Original Credit: News-Sun (John Idleburg / HANDOUT)

The sheriff touted several initiatives that began under his tenure. Those include a special investigation group dedicated to interdicting drug trafficking and gang violence that Idleburg said had taken more guns off the street than any previous administration.

His opponent, William King, is a sheriff’s deputy and 17-year law enforcement veteran. If elected, King said he plans to start a mentoring program for young people with a goal of reducing gun violence. King also said he would work to fill job openings for patrol and correctional staff because the vacancies are creating a public safety issue.

William King, Democratic candidate for Lake County sheriff. - Original Credit: News-Sun (William King / HANDOUT)

King also promised to take an active role in the community should he be elected sheriff, and said he would engage with school and community leaders to focus on issues that contribute to violent crime.