Residents considering a run for Lake Forest City Council have three weeks to prepare: the petition circulation window for all four alderperson seats opens Tuesday, August 25.
The seats representing Wards 1, 2, 3, and 4 will appear on the April 6, 2027 consolidated election ballot, according to the Lake County Clerk's petition packets page.
Key dates
Prospective candidates may begin collecting signatures on Tuesday, August 25, and have until Monday, November 23 to circulate petitions. The formal filing period is shorter: Monday, November 16 through Monday, November 23, with the Lake County Clerk's office accepting papers Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Once filed, petition papers cannot be amended or added to. The only exception: a receipt for the required Statement of Economic Interests may be added until 5 p.m. on the last filing day.
What candidates need to know
Every prospective candidate must file a Statement of Economic Interests with the Lake County Clerk's office under the Illinois Governmental Ethics Act. Anyone who already filed one for the same unit of government within the same calendar year does not need to re-file.
The Clerk's office will conduct an "apparent conformity" review of nominating papers, a limited check that filings meet basic Illinois Election Code requirements. That review does not certify papers are error-free. Incomplete or incorrectly filled-out forms are subject to legal challenge by qualified objectors.
The Clerk's office cannot provide legal opinions on petition documents. The 2027 Candidate's Guide, issued by the Illinois State Board of Elections on July 7, 2026, warns candidates to consult legal counsel regarding qualifications and preparation of nomination papers.
How residents can weigh in
Voters who want to review petition signers' records can schedule an appointment with the Lake County Clerk's office. Petition packets and suggested forms are available through the Clerk's office and the Illinois State Board of Elections website.
No candidates have publicly announced for any of the four seats as of Tuesday, August 4.
The election is Tuesday, April 6, 2027.
