February 9, 2026 Local Stories in and Around St. Joseph, Illinois

Election Survey: Ogden Village Board

JIM ACKLIN
1. Why did you decide to run for school board?
I ran initially and continue to run because I would like to make a positive difference in our community.

2. What is the biggest challenge facing the district?
I think the biggest challenge facing the village will continue to be the upgrading of an antiquated drainage system. The village has made great strides in the last few years, but we still have a ways to go.

3. What are your goals for the next four years?
Goals for the next four years would include: completing the drainage system upgrade, adding more business in a controlled fashion, adding subdivisions for additional housing in a controlled fashion, and a general cleanup of property along the rails to trails path through town.

4. How would you describe the actual job of a school board member?
The role of a board member is to help run the village in an efficient and fiscally responsible manner. Decisions must be made based on what is best for the community as a whole, regardless of personal feelings regarding a given situation.

5. What do you want the public to know about you?
Although I was not raised in Ogden, I have lived here for 40 years as of this August, and so consider myself an “Ogden guy.” We chose to raise our three children here, and I retired as superintendent from St. Joseph-Ogden High School. I could not think of a better community to have lived and raised a family.

Banner
Related Posts

SJO School Board Candidate David McDermott Q and A

March 30, 2019

March 30, 2019

There are five candidates running for four open seats on the SJO School Board. Why are you running for school...

SJO School Board Candidate Les Hoveln Q and A

March 30, 2019

March 30, 2019

There are five candidates running for four open seats on the SJO School Board. Why are you running for school...

SJO School Board Candidate Susan McLain Q and A

March 30, 2019

March 30, 2019

There are five candidates running for four open seats on the SJO School Board. Why are you running for school...

5 questions with Republican caucus candidate Steven Peters

December 2, 2024

December 2, 2024

1. What made you want to run? I have been a member of this exceptional community for the past 20...

Get to know Greg Smith

March 22, 2025

March 22, 2025

Greg Smith is running for St. Joseph Township Trustee. Biographical information My name is Greg Smith, I am a current...

Get to know Jim Acklin, write in candidate for the 102nd district

March 19, 2024

March 19, 2024

Could you tell me a bit about yourself and your family?I grew up in Paris, Il and graduated from PHS....

Get to know Lucas Charters

March 12, 2025

March 12, 2025

Lucas Charters is running for ST. JOSEPH TOWNSHIP TRUSTEE as a democrat. Can you please provide some biographical information?My name...

5 Questions with Republican caucus candidate Matt Walsh

December 2, 2024

December 2, 2024

1. What made you want to run? I’m a lifelong resident of Saint Joseph and at the end of the...

SJO School Board Candidate Kevin Taylor Q and A

March 30, 2019

March 30, 2019

There are five candidates running for four open seats on the SJO School Board. Why are you running for school...

Get to know Emily Harms.

April 1, 2025

April 1, 2025

Emily is running for Multi-Township Tax Assessor. 1. Can you provide us a little biographical information? My name is Emily...

Get to know Todd Hitt

March 12, 2025

March 12, 2025

Todd Hitt is running for ST. JOSEPH TOWNSHIP SUPERVISOR as a Republican. Can you please provide some biographical information?Lifelong resident...

Get to know Matt Walsh

April 1, 2025

April 1, 2025

Matt is running for St. Joseph Village Trustee as a Republican. What is the best thing about St. Joseph? I...

5 Questions with Republican caucus candidate Matt Wolfersberger

December 2, 2024

December 2, 2024

1. What made you want to run? My original plan was to step aside at the end of my term,...

Cooper looks to make a difference in Ogden

April 5, 2021

April 5, 2021

Kelly Cooper wants to make a difference in Ogden.  That is why she ran for village board in 2017 and...

Early voting information for Champaign County

October 10, 2024

October 10, 2024

In Champaign County you can vote early at a variety of locations. All Early Voting sites are Vote Centers and...

Comments
Leave a Reply