Lake County Sheriff Election Results 2026: Idleburg Vs. Buchberger [Live Updates]

LAKE COUNTY, IL — Lake County voters headed to the polls Tuesday to decide whether to give Democratic Sheriff John Idleburg a third term in office or elect Republican challenger Roman Buchberger to lead the county's largest law enforcement agency.

Polls closed at 7 p.m. across Lake County, and election officials began tallying ballots. No results in the sheriff's race were available as of 7 p.m. Check back throughout the evening for updates as vote totals are released.

Election results:

• John Idleburg (D):
• Roman Buchberger (R):

Idleburg, who was first elected sheriff in 2018, sought another four-year term overseeing an agency responsible for patrol operations, criminal investigations, the county jail and court security.

Buchberger, a Zion resident with 32 years of law enforcement experience, challenged the incumbent with an emphasis on staffing, community policing and rehabilitation programs.

The candidates outlined differing priorities and positions on public safety issues in questionnaires submitted to Patch ahead of the election.

"The most pressing public safety challenge facing Lake County is the growing complexity of crime and the underlying issues that contribute to it, including illegal drugs, gun violence, human trafficking, and how law enforcement responds to those in mental health crisis," Idleburg said in his questionnaire. "Addressing these challenges requires more than arrests. It requires collaboration, prevention, and a coordinated approach to public safety."

Buchberger identified staffing and expanded community policing as priorities, citing his 32 years of law enforcement experience and background in police administration.

The candidates also had differing views on the llinois' SAFE-T Act, which eliminated cash bail.

Idleburg said the law has brought positive changes while acknowledging that some provisions warrant further evaluation. Meanwhile, Buchberger questioned its effectiveness, arguing that underserved and at-risk communities need more support.

On automated license plate readers, including Flock cameras, Idleburg defended their use in criminal investigations and pointed to safeguards against misuse. Buchberger expressed concerns about the potential for government surveillance.

The candidates also addressed immigration enforcement, with Idleburg emphasizing compliance with Illinois' TRUST Act, which limits local law enforcement involvement in federal civil immigration enforcement. Buchberger said the Sheriff's Office should protect constitutional rights and maintain peace.

Read the candidates' full responses in Patch's John Idleburg questionnaire and Roman Buchberger questionnaire.

For more election results and coverage, visit Patch's 2026 Illinois Election Guide.

Election results are unofficial until certified by election authorities. This story will be updated as additional vote totals become available.