Editor’s note: This article is the last in a series profiling the candidates running for Henry County Board.
Voters will head to the polls Nov. 3 to elect members of the County Board and other local offices. Early voting has been underway since September, giving residents an opportunity to cast their ballots ahead of Election Day. Candidates were invited to complete a questionnaire about their backgrounds, priorities and reasons for seeking office. The following profiles are based on their submitted responses and have been edited for length and clarity.
District 1 Henry County Board member Rex E. Kiser is seeking re-election, highlighting a lifetime of experience in business, farming, education, military service and local government.
Kiser and his wife, Bonnie, have been married for more than 59 years. They have two sons, Jon of Tampa and Andrew of Chicago and three grandchildren.
A Vietnam War veteran, Kiser served as a combat infantryman with the 1st Cavalry Division. Professionally, he spent 32 years as a senior vice president overseeing lending operations, worked as a licensed real estate broker and served as a high school business teacher and coach. He also grew up on a family farm and was one of 13 children.
In the community, Kiser has served as a member of the Geneseo Chamber of Commerce, president of the Geneseo Rotary Club, a youth sports coach and a member of St. Malachy’s Church.
If re-elected, Kiser said he plans to continue supporting county projects and use the knowledge he has gained during his years on the board to serve residents.
Kiser said one challenge facing Henry County is ensuring senior citizens are not left behind as technology becomes increasingly common in everyday life. He believes county leaders should continue embracing progress while remaining mindful of residents who may struggle with rapidly changing technology.
District 2 Henry County Board member Mike Rabas is seeking election after being appointed to the board in February 2026.
A retired agricultural engineer, Rabas moved to Kewanee after graduating from the University of Wisconsin-Platteville and worked for Kewanee Machinery and Conveyor, Hyster, Kress Corp. and Komatsu America. He and his wife raised their family in Bishop Hill, where they continue to live. Their children have remained in Henry County and are raising families of their own.
Rabas has been active in area communities for more than 40 years, including 24 years as a volunteer firefighter in Bishop Hill. He also volunteers with the Bishop Hill Heritage Association, helps organize the annual Bishop Hill Old Settlers Car Show and participates in the Bishop Hill State Historic Site’s Live-In program.
Rabas said he is running because every community and township deserves a voice on the County Board. He said his longtime connections throughout Henry County have helped him understand the concerns of local residents and businesses.
If elected, Rabas said his priorities include supporting law enforcement, managing taxpayer dollars responsibly and promoting tourism throughout the county. He said restoring and promoting the Bishop Hill State Historic Site, along with supporting community events in Bishop Hill, Galva, Cambridge and Kewanee, can help bring additional visitors and revenue to Henry County.
Heath Hancock is seeking election to the Henry County Board’s District 1 seat, saying he wants to help improve the lives of Henry County residents.
Hancock works in the automotive industry and has one child and one stepchild. He is active with the Henry County Democrats.
If elected, Hancock said he would work to be “a voice for all of the people of Henry County” and make decisions in residents’ best interests.
Among his top priorities are keeping Hillcrest Home a public entity and pursuing restrictions or regulations on data centers and mass-surveillance technologies, including Flock camera systems.
Hancock said preserving Hillcrest Home as a publicly operated nursing home would be one of his top priorities if elected. He also supports regulating data centers and mass-surveillance technologies, including Flock camera systems.
“My primary goals will be keeping Hillcrest Home a public entity, restricting and/or regulating data centers and mass surveillance systems such as Flock,” Hancock said.
