Editor’s note: This article is part of a series profiling the candidates running for Henry County Board. Look for more candidate profiles in the coming week.

Voters will head to the polls Tuesday, Nov. 3, to elect candidates to several local offices, including seats on the Henry County Board. Early voting has been underway since September.

The Kewanee Voice asked candidates to share information about their backgrounds, community involvement and reasons for seeking office. Responses are presented largely in the candidates’ own words and have been edited for style and clarity.

Debbie Casteel, Republican

Deborah “Debbie” Casteel of Cambridge is seeking election to represent District 2 on the Henry County Board.

Casteel is self-employed and helps operate a family business while also serving as a stay-at-home wife and grandmother. She and her husband, Matt, have been married for 35 years. They have two daughters, Jessica, 32, and Jenna, 29, as well as four grandchildren, including two granddaughters ages 10 and 7 and two grandsons ages 5 and 3 months.

Casteel said she decided to run for county board because of her longtime ties to Henry County and her desire to help shape its future. A lifelong resident of the county, she said she understands the importance of protecting the qualities that make Henry County a good place to live and raise a family.

“Henry County has always been my home, and I care deeply about its future,” Casteel said. “Having lived here for 54 years, raised my family here, and owned a small business and family farm with my husband, I understand the importance of protecting what makes our county a great place to live.”

Casteel said her children and grandchildren’s connection to the county motivates her to work toward a strong future for local communities. She said she believes in common-sense decision-making, fiscal responsibility and supporting the hardworking residents of Henry County.

If elected, Casteel said transparency would be one of her top priorities.

“I will be transparent. I will always have what’s in the best interest of everyone in mind,” she said. “I will not take any issue lightly. I will do my best to promote Henry County as a welcoming place to visit and live. I want to be sure that Henry County is a place that people are proud to call home.”

Van A. DeVilder, Democrat

Van A. DeVilder is seeking election to the Henry County Board’s District 2 seat, saying he wants to provide representation for veterans and ensure the county takes a cautious approach to major development proposals that could affect residents for years to come.

DeVilder serves as assistant superintendent of facilities at Black Hawk College. He is a veteran, serves on The Kewanee Voice board of directors and is married to Susan DeVilder. The couple has three adult children, Drew, McKenzie and Conner, and a seven-year-old grandson, Zane.

In seeking a seat on the county board, DeVilder said he is motivated by both his military background and concerns about significant issues facing Henry County.

“I chose to run because I believe veterans need representation on the Henry County Board,” DeVilder said. “I also believe the county must be thoughtful and cautious when making major decisions that will affect residents for generations.”

Among those decisions are proposals related to carbon sequestration and data center development, both of which DeVilder opposes. He said county leaders should carefully evaluate the long-term impacts such projects could have on local communities before moving forward.

DeVilder also said he wants to ensure local veterans continue receiving needed services through the Henry County Veterans Assistance Commission.

“I want to support veterans throughout Henry County by making sure the Veterans Assistance Commission remains fully funded and adequately staffed,” he said.

Asked what he wants voters to know about him, DeVilder said his focus would remain on the people who live in Henry County.

“If elected, I will approach every issue, including proposals such as data centers, with one question in mind: How will this affect the residents of Henry County?” DeVilder said. “As a resident myself, I expect local officials to act in the best interests of the people they serve. I intend to make sure every decision I make is guided by what is best for our county’s residents and communities.”

Jill K. Darin, Republican

Incumbent District 1 Henry County Board member Jill K. Darin is seeking another term, pointing to her experience in county government, public safety and risk management.

Darin works as a risk manager for an insurance agency serving Iowa and western Illinois. She holds a master’s degree in occupational safety and health, has worked in the safety field for nearly 30 years and is a Certified Safety Professional, associate in risk management and longtime Red Cross instructor.

She and her husband, Chris, live on the family’s farm in Phenix Township and have two grown sons, Keaton and Cameron.

Darin has served as a Phenix Township trustee since 2017 and has organized the Geneseo Farmers Market since 2013, helping expand it to include both summer and winter markets. She also serves as the county board representative on the regional University of Illinois Extension Board and has volunteered with several school booster organizations.

First elected to the County Board in 2018, Darin said she ran for office to become more involved in local government and help support local businesses, county services and law enforcement.

If re-elected, Darin said her priorities include maintaining a balanced budget, continuing improvements to the Henry County Courthouse and jail, and supporting Hillcrest Home. She said preserving county services while remaining fiscally responsible is essential to keeping property taxes reasonable and ensuring county government continues to meet residents’ needs.