The April 2025 ballot is starting to take shape in the Illinois Valley.

Candidates turned in their petitions for municipal elections in La Salle, Mendota, Oglesby, Peru, Princeton, Spring Valley, Streator and Utica. Aside from Utica and Oglesby, every community is preparing to have contested races, including potential mayoral races in La Salle, Mendota, Peru and Spring Valley. La Salle drew four candidates for mayor. Ottawa and MARSEILLE they have no vacancies for this election cycle.

Monday was the last day to hand in the documents to be on the ballot. The last day to file an objection to any nomination petition for the April 1 consolidated election is Monday, November 25.

La Salle Residents could see several contested races in April 2025 – and a lottery to determine the order.

Incumbent Mayor Jeff Grove filed petitions to keep his seat, along with Gary Hammers, Jamie Hicks and Tyler Thompson.

William Sexton and former council member Diz Demes filed petitions for the First Ward last Tuesday at 8 a.m., so there will be an order vote to determine their order on the ballot. Incumbent Councilman Jim Bacidore did not seek re-election.

Incumbent Councilman Tom Ptak (Second Ward) has drawn an opponent in Dawn Hicks. Speaker John “Doc” Lavieri (Third Ward) was joined by Jessica Dergence, Nicole Girton and Danielle “Dani” Piland, who each filed their petitions.

Incumbent Councilman T. Boo Herndon (Fourth Ward) was joined by newcomer Brianne Hicks in filing the petitions.

Virginia Kochanowski will seek re-election as treasurer. She was the only candidate to file for that position. No one has filed a petition for the position of clerk. Incumbent Amy Quinn said she will not seek re-election.

Mendota

Mendota may have a contested race for mayor. President David Boelk drew a challenger when Shallen Gross filed a petition.

Emily McConville is seeking re-election as town clerk. She is the only candidate to file for that position.

Incumbent Councilmen Kyle Kim (Third Ward), Jim Fitzpatrick (First Ward), Vicki Johnson (Fourth Ward) and Leo Hochstatter (Second Ward) filed petitions. Fitzpatrick was joined in the First Ward by challenger Joel Perez. Johnson drew an opponent in Matt Ramer. Rob Letterly asked for treasurer.

Oglesby

Oglesby may not have contested races.

Hilary Moyle filed petitions for a seat on the Oglesby City Council that was vacated when Commissioner Terry Eutis resigned. Don Finley, who was appointed to the seat after Eutis’ resignation, had not filed election petitions as of noon Monday.

Peru could have a contested mayoral race as incumbent Ken Kolowski is joined by Doug Bernabei, who filed a petition Tuesday.

Treasurer Jackson Powell will seek re-election. He was the only candidate who submitted for that post.

As Clerk Dave Bartley announced he would not seek re-election, “James”Jamey” Mertel filed petitions with former Councilwoman Sherry Mayszak. Incumbent Councilor Jason Edgcomb (Second Ward) drew a challenger in newcomer Tom Riordan on Monday. Bob Tieman (First Ward), Mike Sapienza (Third Ward) and Jim Lukosus (Fourth Ward) sought re-election.

Princeton

With two seats available on Princeton City Council in April, City Council members Michael McCall and Marty Makransky, along with Donald Saletzki, filed to run.

Spring Valley

Spring Valley Mayor Melanie Malooley-Thompson has filed her paperwork to run for re-election. Debra Perino also filed for mayor. Town Clerk Rebecca “Becky” Hansen filed for re-election and John “Jack” Boroski filed for Treasurer. In the First Ward, Ed Jauch handed over the documents; in Ward II, Councilman Chris Affelt; in the third ward, Jake Kelley and JC Heerdt; and in the fourth ward councilor Dave Pellegrini.

Straightener

Two seats on Streator Local Council will be up for election in April as the terms of David “Moose” Conner and Matt McMullen come to an end. Christopher Thomas, Tonya Zehr Pearce, Justin Skinner, Scott Scheuer and Daniel Danko have all filed to run for these positions. Scheuer and Danko serve at Straightener Planning Commission.

Utica

Utica may not have contested races.

Mayor David Stewart is up for re-election and no opponents filed petitions as of Monday’s 3 p.m.

Three places are open on Utica Village Council and all three incumbents filed petitions. They are trustees Debbie Krizel and Jim Schrader and Pete Pawlak, who was appointed to replace his late mother, Mary, and is seeking his first election victory.