Sheriff Idleburg Secures Third Term; Sandy Hart Wins Treasurer Seat

Lake County Sheriff John Idleburg has declared victory as unofficial results indicate a successful bid for a third term. With around 200,000 votes counted, Idleburg led his Republican opponent, Roman Buchberger, by 66% to 34%. Expressing gratitude, Idleburg stated, “I am honored that the people of Lake County have selected me to serve a third term.”

Idleburg’s campaign focused on the enhancements made within his office over his eight-year tenure. Notable achievements include the expansion of the K-9 unit and the efforts of the sheriff’s office Special Investigations Group, targeting drug and gun trafficking as well as human trafficking. “We’ve tried to engage the community and introduce programs to improve safety,” Idleburg explained.

Buchberger, a former 19-year veteran of the department, criticized Idleburg’s administration for handling staffing issues at the Lake County jail. Idleburg, who began his law enforcement career in the sheriff’s office and served many years as a federal agent, first won the sheriff’s position in 2018. He narrowly defeated former Sheriff Mark Curran and increased his victory margin in the 2022 election.

In another countywide race, Democrat Sandy Hart, the current Lake County Board chair for District 13, claimed the treasurer position with approximately 66% of the vote. Hart’s political background and the county’s political trends positioned her as a strong candidate. Her campaign emphasized her existing working relationships within county government, making her suitable for the treasurer role.

Republican challenger David Penaherrera, new to the political scene, promoted traditional conservative values while opposing President Donald Trump. First elected to the board in 2012 and later serving as board chair in 2018, Hart expressed satisfaction with the election results at both local and national levels. An appointee will fill the District 13 seat, with the process potentially starting in December. Hart is scheduled to be sworn in as Lake County treasurer later this year. “It has been a privilege to serve on both the county and forest preserve boards,” said Hart. “I look forward to this new role and serving the people of Lake County.”