June 6, 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

‘Wanting to serve this community has been my passion’

December 7, 2020

December 7, 2020

Mayor Tami Fruhling-Voges cares about St. Joseph. It is why she is running for reelection tonight at the Republican Caucus....

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...

What to know about the proposed sales-tax increase

October 10, 2024

October 10, 2024

Champaign County elected officials are asking voters to approve a sales-tax increase. Officials estimate the sales-tax increase would generate $7...

Get to know Holly Clingan

March 25, 2025

March 25, 2025

Can you please provide some biographical information? I am Holly Clingan, and I’ve been a homeowner in St. Joseph for...

Get to know Scott Perkins

April 1, 2025

April 1, 2025

Scott is running for the St. Joseph Grade School Board. What motivated you to run for school board? I’ve been...

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 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 Alicia Maxey

March 12, 2025

March 12, 2025

Alicia is running for St. Joseph-Ogden School Board. What motivated you to run for school board?I have lived in 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 Adam Niemerg, write in candidate in the 102nd district

March 19, 2024

March 19, 2024

Could you tell me a bit about yourself and your family? I am a Teutopolis native, and my family and...

Get to know Lindsay Rubach

March 25, 2025

March 25, 2025

Lindsay is running for the St. Joseph Grade School Board. What motivated you to run for school board?As an Educator...

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...

Wakefield wants to serve community

April 5, 2021

April 5, 2021

Allison Wakefield knows Ogden.  Wakefield has lived in the community for more than 18 years and is now raising her...

Get to know Dan Thompson

March 21, 2025

March 21, 2025

Dan Thompson is running for St. Joseph Grade School Board. What motivated you to run for school board? I was...

Van Buskirk’s love of St. Joseph inspires service

October 28, 2020

October 28, 2020

Jeff Van Buskirk loves St. Joseph. He loves the people the schools, the parks and the traditions and the local...

Comments
Leave a Reply