Lake County Sheriff John Idleburg is running for reelection on the Nov. 3 ballot. The Democrat faces Republican Roman Buchberger in the general election.

Idleburg was sworn into office on Dec. 1, 2018. He leads the largest law enforcement agency in Lake County, with more than 500 sworn and civilian personnel, according to the Lake County Juvenile Justice Council.

Candidate information

  • Party: Democratic
  • Office sought: Lake County Sheriff
  • Residence: Zion, Illinois
  • Education: High school diploma, Zion Benton High School

Idleburg was born and raised on the south side of Chicago, according to the Lake County Juvenile Justice Council. His family moved to Zion when he was a teenager. He lives there with his wife, Pam, and is a father and grandfather, according to his campaign website.

Experience and public service

He served in the U.S. Marine Corps.

According to BallotReady profile data, Idleburg worked as a deputy at the Lake County Sheriff's Office beginning in 1977. He later served as a detective at the Great Lakes Police Department and as a special agent at the U.S. Treasury Department. He retired from the Treasury Department after 32 years of government service, according to the Lake County Juvenile Justice Council.

His BallotReady profile also lists positions as a special investigator at the U.S. Department of Defense, at Zion Park Police, Lake Forest Hospital, Lake County Forest Preserve and as a union worker at Johnson Motors.

Idleburg said on his campaign website that his civic roles include commissioner at the Lake County Housing Authority, president of the Illinois Police Association, commissioner on the Police and Fire Commission in Zion and post commander at American Legion Zion Post 865.

On the issues

Criminal justice and public safety: Idleburg said in his BallotReady questionnaire response that his goal is to strengthen community-law enforcement partnerships, ensure community members have a voice and enable collaboration on criminal justice issues.

Endorsements

Idleburg has received the following endorsements, as claimed by the endorsing organizations through BallotReady:

  • IUOE Local 150
  • United Hellenic Voters of America

Candidate information was drawn from the Lake County Juvenile Justice Council, BallotReady profile data and the candidate's own campaign website and questionnaire responses. Statements attributed to the candidate reflect his own claims and have not been independently verified.