Kankakee Times

Things don’t have to stay the same, Colton Ekhoff says.

That is why the Kankakee County Board candidate waited in an extensive line last week to hand in his candidate petitions that now make him an official contender in the 2018 primary.

“I filed on the first day on Monday, Nov. 26, at 8:30 a.m.,” Ekhoff told the Kankakee Times of his presence at the Kankakee County clerks' office.

“My filing means that the people have a choice for County Board member,” Ekhoff said. “It is the first time in 16 years the people of my district will have a choice in the Republican Primary.”

With incumbent politicians leading local and state government, Illinois citizens’ hands are tied unless they vote them out, Ekhoff said.

“I am running to give the people of the 2nd District a voice to all their concerns,” Ekhoff said. “As of right now we have a County Board member that just goes and does what the old guard has been doing for the last 16 years. I am giving people a second choice.”

Until the March primary, Ekhoff said he will continue to work hard.

“I’ve had a very positive response from the people,” Ekhoff said. “I’ve been walking and talking with the voters, and while doing so they’ve voiced they are sick and tired of their taxes rising and they don’t trust the County Board. They are every happy to see some young blood trying to make a difference.”

Victory is in sight, he said.

“As most of the people in my district know I already hosted a my ‘Kick-off’ and we had a great crowd,” Ekhoff said. “I will continue to show up to city and township meetings and any event in the district. I will be running a campaign only on issues and what a terrible voting record my opponent has in raising taxes.”