Hinsdale property owners will vote Tuesday, Nov. 3, on whether to create a new mental health taxing body for Downers Grove Township. The question is one of several local referenda and contested races on a ballot that also includes the governor's race and DuPage County offices.

The mental health referendum asks voters whether the township should levy a tax of up to 0.05% to establish a 708 Community Mental Health Board. Downers Grove Township is the only one of DuPage County's nine townships without an active 708 board, The Hinsdalean reported.

A community discussion on the proposal was scheduled for Oct. 6 at The Community House, 415 W. Eighth St. Speakers were to include Hinsdale Village President Greg Hart, NAMI DuPage President and CEO Meredith Kober, and Ray Graham Association CEO Kim Zoeller.

In Clarendon Hills, voters will decide a separate referendum on whether the village clerk should be appointed by the village president rather than elected, effective May 2027, according to a Shaw Local voter guide compiled from Illinois State Board of Elections data.

State legislative races

Two contested state races will appear on Hinsdale ballots. In Illinois Senate District 23, incumbent Democrat Suzy Glowiak Hilton faces Republican Linda Z. Polacek. In Illinois House District 45, incumbent Democrat Marti Deuter faces Republican Gina Parrilli.

Republican John Curran in House District 41 and Republican Nicole La Ha in House District 82 are both running unopposed.

County and federal races

Incumbent Democrat Deb Conroy faces Republican Gary Grasso for DuPage County Board chair.

Hinsdale falls in County Board Districts 2 and 3, both with contested seats. In District 2, Democrat Christopher Espinoza faces Republican Robert "Rusty" Stevens for a four-year term. Democrat Mary Rada Walters faces Republican Theresa McClear for a two-year term.

In District 3, incumbent Republican Kari Galassi faces Democrat Marcus King for a four-year term. Incumbent Republican Brian J. Krajewski faces Democrat Ericka Polanco-Webb for a two-year term.

The DuPage County Sheriff's race features Democrat Peter Joseph Coolidge and Republican Sean T. Noonan. Incumbent James Mendrick is not seeking reelection.

In the 4th Congressional District, Democrat Patty Garcia, Republican Lupe Castillo, Working Class Party candidate Ed Hershey, and independent Chris Getty are running to replace U.S. Rep. Jesus "Chuy" Garcia, who is not seeking reelection.

Statewide, Gov. JB Pritzker is seeking a third term against Republican Darren Bailey and independent Collin Corbett, among others. A Pritzker win would make him the first Democrat in Illinois history to win three terms as governor, the Chicago Tribune reported. In the U.S. Senate race, Democrat Juliana Stratton and Republican Don Tracy lead the field to replace retiring Sen. Dick Durbin.

Hinsdale residents in the Cook County portion of the village will also see an advisory question asking whether Illinois should adopt a 3% income tax surcharge on millionaires, with revenue split between property tax relief and education funding.

How to vote

Early voting at Hinsdale Village Hall, 19 E. Chicago Ave., opens Monday, Oct. 19, in the Scout Room in the basement. DuPage County residents can vote there through Monday, Nov. 2, from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. on weekdays and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on weekends.

DuPage County early voting is already underway at temporary locations, including Downers Grove Village Hall (850 Curtiss St.) and DuPage County Fairgrounds (2015 Manchester Road, Wheaton), through Saturday, Oct. 17.

Cook County residents in Hinsdale can vote early at Brookfield Village Hall (8820 Brookfield Ave.) or Lyons Township (6404 Joliet Road, Countryside) starting Oct. 19 through Nov. 2, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sundays.

The online voter registration deadline is Sunday, Oct. 18. Illinois allows same-day voter registration at early voting sites and on Election Day. Voters must bring two forms of ID, at least one showing a current address. The deadline to apply for a mail-in ballot is Thursday, Oct. 29. Mail-in ballots must be postmarked by Election Day.

On Election Day, polls are open from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. Schools will be closed. Anyone in line by 7 p.m. will be allowed to vote.

Hinsdale government week ahead

• Sunday, Oct. 18: Online voter registration deadline for the Nov. 3 general election. Register at ove.illinois.gov.
• Monday, Oct. 19: Early voting opens at Hinsdale Village Hall, 19 E. Chicago Ave. (Scout Room, basement level). Hours: 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. weekdays, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekends. Open through Nov. 2.
• Thursday, Oct. 29: Last day to apply for a vote-by-mail ballot.
• Tuesday, Nov. 3: Election Day. Polls open 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. Schools closed.