UPDATED April 2, 2025
The results from April 1’s Illinois Consolidated Election are in, and most of the outcomes are pretty promising when it comes to elections for public library board trustee. I’ve gone through the entire list of contested elections below. A couple of helpful notes:
See you in 2027.
The Illinois Library Lovers Guide to Public Library Elections
April 1, 2025 is the date of the next Consolidated election in Illinois. Many public library boards have elections this year, meaning that the future of your library may be on the ballot. This guide is intended to help voters navigate these elections in contested races. If your race is not contested, meaning that there are only as many candidates as there are spots available (or fewer), then your library race will not be on here.
The contests included in the guide here are those where there are more candidates than there are positions and it is intended to help narrow down who may be best suited to represent your library over the next 2, 4, or 6 years. You may see some contested seats for unexpired terms. This means that the length of service will be shorter than standard length, and the length of that term is noted.
Candidates here may be color coded Green means they’d be a great candidate. Yellow means little information is available about them and their positions or that they would pose no threat to the library if elected but they are not as strong of candidates as those in green. Finally, red is an indication not to vote for the candidate. Where information as to why is available, such as links to platforms or affiliations, those are included. Most candidates are not given a color, as tracking down all of that information proved impossible. But the information provided here should be a significant help in making pro-library decisions, whether it’s through published candidate profiles or candidate forums (either recorded or forthcoming in person).
This guide was created by library workers and library advocates in the state of Illinois. Questions, comments, or insight into any races without much information can be dropped into this handy form.
Note: This is a working document. It was updated on March 25.
Suburban/Exurban Chicago Races
Addison Public Library
There are two positions available and five candidates running. The term is six years in length.
There is an upcoming candidate’s forum for this roster of library trustees on March 11 at Addison Village Hall. It will be available to stream after the event.
Note that in a private Facebook group for Addison, several members of the community are arguing for book banning in the public library. They point to individuals like Kathleen for “filth” being allowed–in other words, she’s upholding the rights of readers.
Arlington Heights Public Library
There are two full terms on the ballot with five candidates. These are six year terms.
Candidate profiles are available here.
Aurora Public Library
There are two full term trustee positions open with five candidates. These are six year terms.
All of the candidates in this race are pro-library and would make strong board members.
Barrington Public Library
There are three full term trustee positions and five candidates. These are six year terms.
Batavia Public Library
There are four open trustee positions and five candidates. These are four year terms.
The League of Women Voters hosted a candidate forum.
Bellwood Public Library
There are two full terms on the ballot and four candidates. These are six year terms.
Bloomingdale Public Library
There are four open trustee positions and five candidates.
The League of Women Voters will host a Meet The Candidates forum March 23.
Brookfield Public Library
There are three full terms on the ballot with seven candidates running. These are four year terms.
There is a candidate guide from the local paper here.
Cicero Public Library
There are two full terms on the ballot and three candidates. These are six year long terms.
Ela Area Public Library (Lake Zurich)
There are four full term positions with five candidates.
Four of the five candidates contributed surveys about why they’re running. You can find that on the Ela Public Library website here.
Elmwood Park Public Library
There are three full term trustee positions on the ballot with six candidates running. These are six year terms.
Read this report on a recent candidate forum for Elmwood Park Public Library trustees. Only the newcomers showed up. Current incumbents have been involved in not helping the library prosper.
Flossmoor Public Library
There are three full term trustee positions on the ballot with four candidates. These are four year terms.
Frankfort Public Library District
There are six open board seats this election. Four of them are full, four-year terms. Two of them are unexpired two year terms. There are six candidates running for the full terms and one candidate running for the unexpired term. This covers only the full term candidates.
The library has questionnaires and bios of the candidates on their website. This contest looks to be one where there are no red flag candidates at all but a slate of strong contenders.
Fremont Public Library (Mundelein)
There are three full term trustee positions on the ballot with six candidates.
Jay Kasten has previously been awarded the honor of Illinois Trustee of the Year.
Gail Borden Public Library (Elgin)
There are three full time trustee positions with five candidates. These are four year terms.
Glenside Public Library District (Glendale Heights)
There are three full terms on the ballot with six candidates.
The good news is any of these candidates would be strong as trustees.
Harvey Public Library
There are two full terms and four candidates. Full terms are six years in length.
Helen Plum Library (Lombard)
There are 9 candidates running for 4 positions. Each position being elected in 2025 is a four year position.
Kuhlman, Hollenbach, Himmerich, and O’Connell are running under the American Solidarity Party, a group closely aligned with Christian nationalist values.
Hinsdale Public Library
There are four full terms on the ballot with five candidates.
The local paper published Candidate profiles and priorities.
Homewood Public Library
There are two full terms on the ballot and three candidates. Terms are six years in length.
Lake Villa Public Library
There are three full terms on the ballot with four candidates.
Lisle Library District
There are three full term trustee positions on the ballot with four candidates.
All candidates are strong choices for the positions.
Marengo Union Public Library
There is one trustee position on the ballot with two candidates.
Matteson Public Library
There are four full term trustee positions on the ballot and five candidates. These are six year terms.
Maywood Public Library (Full Term)
There are two full terms on the ballot and four candidates. These are 6 year terms.
Maywood Public Library (Unexpired Term)
There is one unexpired two year term on the ballot with two candidates.
View the library candidate forum recording here.
Morton Grove Public Library
There are two full terms on the ballot with four candidates. These are six year long terms.
Kim and Mohammed are running together as a slate. A bit about their campaign goals. These two candidates have been endorsed by Vision Morton Grove.
New Lenox Public Library
Four candidates are running for three open positions. The trustee positions are all 6-year terms. Any of the candidates running would be fine trustees.
Oak Lawn Public Library
There are two full terms on the ballot and three candidates. Terms are six years in length.
Oak Park Public Library
There are four trustee positions on the ballot, with 8 candidates running. The term is four years. You can hear from all of the candidates in this voter forum hosted by the League of Women Voters.
You can read candidate interviews here. Daniel, Bruce, and Megan are running as a slate in this election.
Orland Park Public Library
There are two open positions with four candidates running. The term is 6 years.
Oswego Public Library
There are four full terms on the ballot and five candidates.
Marter is a far-right candidate who has been part of a campaign against the library.
Roselle Public Library
There are three full terms on the ballot and four candidates.
Sandwich Public Library
There are three full term positions open, as well as one unexpired terms. The full terms are for four years, and there are six individuals running. There are no candidates running for either of the unexpired two year terms.
Here are profiles of the candidates as featured on the library’s website.
St. Charles Public Library
There are two full terms on the ballot and four candidates.
The League of Women Voters hosted a candidate forum, which can be viewed here.
Shorewood Troy Public Library District
There are two seats open and three candidates. These are 6 year terms. All of the candidates look to be strong library supporters.
Three Rivers Public Library District (Minooka and Channahon)
There are three seats open. Two of them are full, 6-year terms. One of them is an unexpired 2 year term. There are four candidates for the two full term seats:
There are two candidates for the one unexpired two-year term:
All of the incumbents are strong candidates and would do well in continuing their service.
Villa Park Public Library
There are four full term trustee positions on the ballot and five candidates.
All three incumbents in this race have been instrumental in library expansion and efforts to expand inclusion with the library. Leishman, one of the new candidates, is a long-time Friend of the library. Payton’s also a newcomer, and while there are no red flags, her experience within the library isn’t as extensive as Leishman’s.
Warren Newport Public Library (Gurnee)
There are three open positions on the board with seven candidates. The terms are four years long. It is worth noting that this race has an abundance of strong candidates–there was an active effort to recruit pro-library candidates due to none of the departing trustees seeking reelection. The recruitment paid off. None of these candidates send up red flags.
Westchester Public Library
There are three full term seats on the ballot and four candidates. Terms are four years in length.
West Chicago Public Library
There are three trustee positions on the ballot and four candidates.
Bios of the candidates are on the West Chicago Public Library webpage. The League of Women Voters will host a candidate forum March 18.
White Oak Library District (Romeoville and Lockport)
There are two seats up for election with three candidates. The term length is 6 years.
Woodridge Public Library
There are three full terms on the ballot with four candidates. Terms are six years in length.
Races Elsewhere in Illinois
Alpha Park Public Library (Bartonville)
There are two open seats and three candidates for full 6-year terms. There is no candidate running for the unexpired 2-year seat.
Anne West Lindsey District Library
There are two full terms on the ballot. Three candidates are running for the positions.
Clover Public Library District (Woodhull)
There are three open seats. Two are full 6 year terms and there are three candidates. There is one unexpired four year term with no candidates. Below are the candidates for the full terms.
Coulterville Public Library
There are seven open seats with 12 candidates running. These are full term, 6 year positions.
In 2023, the library became a district library to cover more service area. This has caused a lot of confusion for some, who didn’t notice it was a thing they voted on and who have become angry that the ballot initiative was done when these things are usually done, during Consolidated elections. Four of the candidates running for the library board are doing so for this reason.
Dunlap Public Library District
There are three open trustee positions. They are all full, 6 year terms, and there are six candidates.
While there is no video recording of the Candidate Forum held by the library, there is a social media post that includes links to some of the candidate Facebook pages.
Earlville Public Library
There are four candidates running for three open seats. There is no readily available information about how long the terms are.
Geneseo Public Library District
There are six open trustee positions. Four are full terms, and there are nine candidates. Full terms are 6 years. There are also two unexpired two year terms, but there are zero candidates.
Glen Carbon Centennial Library
There are two terms with three candidates. These are six year long positions.
Grand Prairie of the West Library (Virdin)
There are three full terms with five candidates. These are four year terms. There are also three unexpired two year terms, but those are uncontested seats and not included here.
HA Peine District Library (Minier)
There are three full terms with four candidates. Term length is four years.
La Moille-Clarion Public Library
There are four open trustee positions on the ballot and six candidates.
Leepertown Public Library
There are three full term positions and four candidates.
Marissa Area Public Library
There are three full-term positions on the ballot with no contests. There is, however, a contested election for the unexpired four year terms. There are two on the ballot and four candidates.
There is a coffee with the candidate event on March 20.
Maryville Public Library
There are three full terms on the ballot with five candidates. Terms are four years in length.
Mississippi Valley Library District (Collinsville) -- Full Term
There are two full terms on the ballot with four candidates. Full terms are 6 years in length.
A number of the above candidates applied for an unexpected vacancy in late 2024, so their resumes and letters of interest are available here.
Mississippi Valley Library District (Collinsville) -- Unexpired 2 year term
There is one unexpired two year term on the ballot with two candidates.
Ian, Benjamin, and Shannon are running as a slate.
Kathleen, Kenneth, and Kelly are also running as a slate. Note that these three candidates refused to attend the local candidate forum.
North Suburban Public Library (Loves Park and Roscoe)
There are four full term trustee positions on the ballot and five candidates.
Roxana Public Library (Unexpired four year terms)
Full terms at Roxana Public Library are six years. There are two with two candidates. There are also two unexpired four year positions on the ballot this year, with three candidates. The candidates below are running for those unexpired four year positions.
Six Mile Regional Library District (Full Term)
There are two full terms on the ballot with three candidates. Full terms are 6 years in length.
Six Mile Regional Library District (Unexpired 2 Year Term)
There is one unexpired two year term on the ballot with two candidates.
Somonauk Public Library
There are four open seats and seven candidates. The term length is 4 years.
Talcott Public Library (Rockton)
There are four full term positions and five candidates running for them. Trustees serve 4 year terms.
Talcott Public Library (Rockton) – Unexpired 2 Year Term
There is one unexpired two year term and two candidates.
The three candidates in red are running on a slate together. All of them want to preserve “traditional values” in the library. This has been a library under attack for years for running inclusive programming. These candidates are deeply concerning and not interested in the library being open, accessible, and of interest to all in the community.
Washington District Library
There are four open seats with five candidates.
West Salem Public Library
There is one full four year term with two candidates.
The library also has three unexpired two year terms with zero candidates.
West Sangamon Public Library
There are two full terms on the ballot with five candidates running. These are 6 year terms.
Worden Public Library
There are three full terms on the ballot with four candidates. Full terms are 6 years in length. There are also two unexpired two year terms on the ballot with two candidates. The candidates below represent only the full terms.