Joliet Voters Face Data Center Question And Contested Sheriff Race On Nov. 3 Ballot

Voters in Joliet will decide whether to allow the construction of artificial intelligence data centers in the city on Tuesday, Nov. 3. The advisory question appears on the ballot for Joliet Township residents. Township Supervisor Cesar Guerrero’s office voted to place the measure on the ballot in May. The question asks if the Joliet City Council should approve such construction.

The ballot also features a referendum for property owners in the Troy 30-Consolidated School District. The district is seeking a 45-cent limiting rate increase. Officials stated that community feedback led to a 35 percent reduction from the original plan. The administration argues that this adjustment prevents a net tax rate increase. The district projects that enrollment will surpass 4,000 students within four years due to new housing developments.

School administrators claim that most facilities currently exceed their intended capacity. They propose using the funds to maintain current staffing levels and class sizes. The revised plan does not include a new early childhood education center or middle school renovations. The ballot language specifies that the additional 0.4500 percent of the limiting rate would support educational programming and safety improvements for levy year 2026.

The race for Will County Sheriff has shifted after three-term incumbent Mike Kelley endorsed Undersheriff Dan Jungles. Jungles faces Road Patrol Sgt. Patrick Jones in the general election. Jones won the Democratic primary with 59 percent of the vote, defeating Jungles, who received 40 percent. Jones announced his candidacy in February 2025, citing 24 years of experience in the sheriff’s office.

Jones stated that he wants to build trust through transparency and increase community interaction. He will compete against Republican James Reilly, who is making his third bid for the position. In the 2022 election, Reilly trailed Kelley on election night but lost after mail-in ballots were counted.

Several other Will County offices are up for election. Incumbent Treasurer Tim Brophy faces Republican Carmen Maurella III. Regional Superintendent Elizabeth Caparelli-Ruff runs against former Joliet School District 86 Superintendent Theresa Rouse. Incumbent Clerk Annette Parker faces Democrat Michelle Stiff. The district will also hold retention votes for several judges, including Chief Judge Daniel Kennedy and Amy Bertani-Tomczak, who has served for 32 years.

A contested race exists for a circuit court judge seat vacated by Dave Carlson. Democrat Amy Christiansen runs against Republican JohnPaul Ivec. Statewide contests include the governor’s race between JB Pritzker and Darren Bailey. The U.S. Senate race features Juliana Stratton and Don Tracy. In the 11th Congressional District, Bill Foster faces Jeff Walter. The 97th District state house race pits Jessica Dixon Heitman against Gabby Shanahan to replace Harry Benton.