On Tuesday, November 3, Henry County voters will choose who represents them on the Henry County Board — the body that sets the county budget, shapes land-use and development decisions, and oversees everything from roads to public safety.

Below are the candidates running in Districts 1 and 2, in their own words: each profile came from the statements provided to The Geneseo Current. Every candidate was invited to participate on equal terms. No candidate or party was charged a fee to publish this information. This guide will be updated if additional profiles arrive. Read them, compare them, and make your vote an informed one.

*denotes incumbent

Rhiannon Atkisson (D) - District 1

As a Registered Nurse, Rhiannon has spent a career listening to people, solving tough problems, and delivering results with care. Now, Rhiannon is stepping up to run for the County Board to heal our local systems and improve community services.

• Better Services: Improving county infrastructure, public health initiatives, and emergency support.

• Fiscal Accountability: Treating the county budget like a household budget—eliminating waste and protecting taxpayer money.

“In nursing, every resource matters. On the County Board, I will apply that same strict efficiency to ensure our community gets the high-quality services it deserves without overspending your tax dollars.”

I chose to run because I care about the people in my community and people have forgotten how to be neighbors and I wanna help people remember how to be a neighbor and how to help each other out and not be greedy. Let’s be giving I also would like to remember people that differences are not bad differences do not need to create division. In fact, let’s look at our differences as a way to help create discussion that leads to development.

*Kippy Breeden (R) - District 1

Kippy Breeden is seeking re-election to the Henry County Board. While serving as a county board member, I have put in the time to hear all sides of an issue and work very hard to find a compromise that works in the best interest of all. I am committed to supporting economic development, being fiscally responsible with taxpayer dollars, supporting the services that our county has to offer, and ensuring the continued success of Hillcrest Nursing Home.

As a lifelong Henry County Illinois resident, I have been a travel agent in Geneseo for over 38 years. I am a landowner concerned with the rights of property owners.

“I believe in being good stewards of the land that God has made. I believe it is my civic duty to see that the general public’s best interest is being attended to concerning our hard-earned tax dollars and I will work hard to make Henry County Illinois not just a spot on the map but a place where you can and want to live. It is my past experience as a reliable and responsible board member to navigate the road to ensure our citizens are getting the best service by working together.”

Scott A. Briney (D) - District 1

Brief Biographical Information:

Resident of Geneseo for over 30 years
Married for 48 years; with 2 adult children and 4 grandchildren
Graduated with honors from Augustana College, majoring in History, Political Science and Education
Received Master’s Degree in Educational Leadership from Western Illinois University
Retired after 40 years in Education.
Taught History and Government at Orion High School for 30 years
Coached Cross Country, Track & Field and Football
Was Principal at Orion Middle School for 4 years

Statement of priorities:

I entered the race for Henry County Board primarily because I wanted to offer a choice to Henry County voters. Too often in the past there have been several ballots where there were no candidates, especially Democrats, to vote for. Also, I would like to restore some balance to the County Board. Currently, there is only one Democrat on the County Board. As far as other priorities, I believe the first priority should be the health, safety and welfare of all of Henry County’s residents. This should be, and can be, done in a fiscally responsible manner. Another of my major concerns is the advent of AI and the development of data centers. Henry County is primarily an agricultural county. Any development should always prioritize environmental concerns. This also applies to carbon sequestration, which I adamantly oppose for Henry County. Lastly the county should maintain it current services it provides for veterans and maintain ownership of Hillcrest Home for the benefit of county residents.

Kevin Brown (R) - District 2

Kevin Brown is a lifelong resident of Alpha, Illinois, where he has lived most of his life. He has been married to his wife, Rebecca, for 18 years, and they have two sons, Andrew, 24, who proudly serves in the United States Air Force, and Carson, 15. Kevin has spent the past 20 years working for Caterpillar as a Service Information Developer. He has also dedicated many years to serving his community through the fire service. Kevin believes in putting public safety, fiscal responsibility, responsible economic development, and the interests of Henry County residents first.

Key Priorities

Public Safety First
- Support our sheriff’s office, firefighters, EMS and other first responders with the resources, training, and equipment they need.
Protect Henry County’s Agricultural & Rural Character
- Promote responsible growth while protecting farmland and the rural communities that make Henry County unique.
Fiscal Responsibility & Taxpayer Accountability
- Make responsible decisions with taxpayer dollars, look for efficiencies, pursue available funding, and carefully evaluate major expenditures.

I’m running for the Henry County Board because I believe local government should work for the people who live here. I’ve spent most of my life in Alpha, raised my family here, built my career here, and served my community through the fire service. I understand the importance of having strong communities where families feel safe and where people have opportunities to build a good life.

My priorities are straightforward: put public safety first, protect taxpayers, support agriculture, and our rural communities, and encourage responsible economic development.

I believe Henry County should welcome good jobs and new investment, but we also need to make sure development is done responsibly. With the questions surrounding data centers and the recent Tyson closure in Joslin, our region is facing important decisions about what economic development should look like in the future.

I’m not running to tell people what they should want. I’m running to listen, represent the people of Henry County, and make decisions that keep our communities strong for the next generation.

Thomas J. Carr (D) - District 1

I was born in Galesburg, Illinois and grew up on a farm outside of town. I was drafted into the army and became an airborne paratrooper. For many years I worked in Colorado, Wyoming, and Nebraska as a locomotive engineer. Also, while living in Colorado, I opened a restaurant and managed it for several years. In northern Illinois, I also worked as a wind turbine technician.

This is the second time that I’ve lived in Geneseo and I enjoy it very much as my daughter and her family lives here and I get to see my grandkids a lot. My motivation for running for Henry County board is to focus on the County’s needs, help carefully manage the Henry County budget, work on shaping the future of Henry County, and represent all of the people in Henry County.

Debbie Casteel (R) - District 2

My name is Debbie Casteel, and I’m running for Henry County Board because Henry County isn’t just where I live—it’s home.

I have lived in Henry County for 54 years. I grew up in Geneseo and graduated from GHS in 1986. I spent 30 years living in Atkinson, and for the past five years, my husband and I have called Cambridge home. Our children and grandchildren also live here, making the future of Henry County very personal to me.

My husband and I own a small business, and we are proud to be third-generation small farm owners. Through our family, our business, and our farm, I understand the importance of hard work, responsibility, and making decisions that affect the people who live and work in our communities.

I decided to run for County Board because I care deeply about the place that has been my home for more than five decades. I believe county government should listen to its residents, be transparent and responsible, and approach challenges with common sense.

If elected, I will bring my experience as a small business owner, farmer, wife, mother, and grandmother to the County Board. I want to listen to the people of Henry County, work collaboratively, and help make decisions that keep our communities strong while preparing responsibly for the future.

I’m not running simply because I want a seat on the board. I’m running because this is my home, my family is here, and I want to do my part to help make sure Henry County remains a great place to live, work, raise a family, and grow old.

*Jill Darin (R) - District 1

Jill Darin, MS, CSP, ARM, is a life-long Henry County and Geneseo resident. She graduated from JD Darnall high school, has a master’s in Occupational Safety and Health and a bachelor’s in Geology. She is a safety professional by trade and is currently a Risk Manager for an insurance agency that covers the eastern half of Iowa and western portion of Illinois. Jill and her husband live north of Geneseo on his family farm, where they raised their two boys. She has been and is active in volunteering her time with the local farmer’s market and booster groups while her children were in school.

Jill has centered her life on serving others and investing in her community. She has served as a Board of Trustee in Phenix Township since 2017 and was elected to the Henry County Board in 2018. During her time on the board, Jill has chaired the Administration and Planning & Development committees and sat on several other. Jill is committed to fiscal responsibility, supporting local businesses and economic growth, and strengthening public safety. She believes responsible leadership and community collaboration are key to building a strong future for Henry County.

“I believe it is important to serve and give back to our communities. To this end, as public officials, we need to listen, work hard, and make decisions that put Henry County’s future first. As a resident and property owner, I understand the challenges families and businesses are facing. I believe we need to be responsible with taxpayer dollars and wisely invest those dollars within our communities to make them better and stronger. I want all of Henry County and its citizens to live in a place where they feel safe, local businesses can thrive, and people are proud to call it home. I’m committed to bringing a common-sense, fiscally responsible approach to the County Board and working together to move Henry County forward.”

Van A. DeVilder (D) - District 2 - NO RESPONSE RECEIVED

Heath Hancock (D) - District 1

I have spent my life here in the Quad Cities area with a majority of my childhood spent in Henry County. My career has been diverse but has always had some focus on customer service. I am running for office because I want to help improve the lives of the residents of Henry County.

Key Points:

Keeping Hillcrest Home a public entity
Regulations and restrictions on data centers
Regulations and restrictions on surveillance systems such as Flock

“If elected, I pledge to be a voice for all of the people of Henry County and will always work in their best interest.”

*Marshall Jones (R) - District 2

My name is Marshall Jones. I’ve been a resident of Henry County for 42 years. During that time, I’ve served the community in public and private capacities.

35 year employee of major communications company.
Former Chair & Current Vice Chair of Henry County Board
Received “Outstanding Citizen” award 2017
Salvation Army Advisory Board
Past President of two non-profit organizations in our community

When interacting with others I have two main tenets:

Treat others as I wish to be treated
Be quick to hear, slow to speak and slow to anger

Working together with we can continue to make Henry County a great place to live and work.

*Rex Kiser (R) - District 1

I have been a resident of Henry County Illinois for the past 43 years. A farming family of 13 children grew up in a small rural community in North Central Indiana. Being the last of 9 sons to leave the farm following my father’s retirement, I entered Ball State University pursuing a Degree in Business Education. I answered the call to serve where I trained as an Infantryman in Fort Hood Texas with the 1/50th Infantry Battalion, and we were deployed to VietNam in Sept of 1967, assigned to the 1st Air Cav Division in the Central Highlands, as a squad leader of A Company, we performed Search and Destroy Missions as our mission. With the blessing of God, I survived that horrible experience though so many of my comrades in arms did not.

Returning to Ball State after my service Discharge, I received my Business Ed Degree and later my Masters. As a High School teacher and 3 sport coach, I taught 9 years, later I began a Banking Career. I served as the Senior Vice President in Charge of Lending for 27 years at the Central Bank in Geneseo. Through those years I have had the opportunity and privilege to be part of communities throughout Henry County forever changing as our nation has.

My Spouse Bonnie of nearly 60 years has been my soul mate since high school. We have 2 sons. I have always believed during my 8 years serving on the board, the members represent not only their districts but all communities in Henry County keeping an open mind to the issues for all.

Maggie Jo Marin-Wheeler (D) - District 2

Candidate bio :

Maggie Jo Marin-Wheeler was born in Geneseo, grew up in Hooppole, and proudly calls Annawan her home. Maggie graduated from Annawan High School in 2010. Although currently a stay at home mom to two toddlers, Maggie’s professional background includes years within the hospitality, sales, and banking industries. Maggie is intimately familiar with the struggles that every day community members face. With experience in leadership, people to people communication, problem solving, and budgeting, Maggie brings an open mind, hard work, and a genuine desire to strive for betterment of all people.

Candidate statement:

My name is Maggie Jo and I am running for the Henry County board. I am not a politician. I speak my mind, approach situations with facts and data, and have the strength to stand up for what is right. I believe that Henry County deserves leaders who genuinely listen, represent everyone, and hold your best interests at heart. While working in banking, I saw firsthand how hard working community members are struggling to keep up with rising costs. If elected, my primary focus will be in environmental conservation and protection, preserving our privacy against over- surveillance, and strengthening care systems for senior citizens, veterans, and children. I strongly believe that our success as a county is dependent on the strength of our community. I’d be honored to earn your vote and represent you.

Bill Preston (D) - District 1 - NO RESPONSE RECEIVED

Mike Rabas (R) - District 2

I was born and raised near Wales, Wisconsin, and earned a Bachelor of Science in Agricultural Engineering from the University of Wisconsin–Platteville in 1978. Upon graduation, I moved to Kewanee to work for Kewanee Machinery and Conveyor. I later worked for Hyster Company and Kress Corporation before concluding my career with Komatsu America in Peoria. Throughout my career, I worked as an engineer developing new products and helping customers resolve issues and concerns, and as a manager overseeing budgets and schedules.

I met my wife in Kewanee, and we later moved to Bishop Hill, her hometown, where we raised our family. We still live in Bishop Hill, and our children remain in Henry County, where they are raising families of their own.

Henry County is a diverse county, due in part to its proximity to the Quad Cities, blending agricultural and residential communities and creating some unique challenges. One key challenge is keeping all Henry County residents safe. Law enforcement must have the resources needed to protect both communities and rural areas. New technologies should also be considered and evaluated to support existing tools, but they should not be implemented until their effectiveness is understood and constitutional rights are protected.

We must manage Henry County spending carefully to ensure taxpayer dollars are used wisely. We should also pursue new revenue opportunities that may help limit or reduce taxes, while thoroughly evaluating each option to protect residents’ safety and avoid harm to nearby properties.

Tourism has long provided jobs and revenue for Henry County, but Bishop Hill, one of the county’s key destinations, has faced significant challenges. We must continue working with state representatives to restore the deteriorating Bishop Hill State Historic Site facilities and actively promote the site once the work is complete.

Carmen S. Sedlock (R) - District 1

Carmen S. Sedlock is a Quad Cities–area business owner, social-work professional, and community advocate. She is co-owner of Sedlock Construction, a residential construction company operated in Coal Valley, IL, where she oversees accounting and human resources alongside the company’s sales, marketing, and management activities. She is a mother to three adult daughters and married for 19 years in October, to Jason Sedlock.

Sedlock earned a B.A. in General Studies from Western Illinois University, with an emphasis in Psychology, Sociology, and Business Management, and later completed a Master’s degree in Social Work at the University of Iowa. Her professional background includes work as a residential counselor at Annie Wittenmyer and as a crisis interventionist with The Center for Youth and Family Solutions.

Her community involvement has focused on supporting families, people with disabilities, and individuals recovering from addiction. She has been associated and served as a committee member with suicide-prevention efforts through the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention and currently mentors women reentering their communities through the Safer Foundation’s Circle of Support program.

If elected to Henry County Board, Carmen hopes to use her knowledge and experience on the Health and Social Service Committee. Her main focus on community matters are to strengthen our communities by supporting law enforcement, encouraging fiscal responsibility, public health and wellness, and economic growth.

*Crystal Strode (R) - District 2 (unexpired 2-year term)

Dr. Crystal Strode is a long-time Henry County resident, growing up in Toulon and calling the county home for over a decade. She is the owner of Vibrant Health Chiropractic, with locations in Cambridge and Geneseo, where she has built a career centered on serving others and investing in her community. Elected to the Henry County Board in February 2025, Dr. Strode is committed to fiscal responsibility, supporting local businesses and economic growth, and strengthening public safety. She believes responsible leadership and community collaboration are key to building a strong future for Henry County.

“I believe the best way to serve our community is to listen, work hard, and make decisions that put Henry County’s future first. As a small business owner, I understand the challenges families and businesses are facing, and I believe we have to be responsible with taxpayer dollars while still investing in the things that make our communities stronger. I want Henry County to be a place where families feel safe, local businesses can thrive, and people are proud to call home. I’m committed to bringing a common-sense, fiscally responsible approach to the County Board and working together to move Henry County forward.”

Dave Tomsic (R) - District 2

County Board Fiscal responsibility, infrastructure and roads, public safety and emergency services, economic development, and government transparency. Born and raised in Henry County. Works at John Deere. I am an Eagle Scout and served as assistant scout master and troop committeeman with Boy Scouts for many years. I’ve held several positions in the Masonic Lodge. Transparency, accountability, results, a stronger County starts here.

*Bob Wachtel (R) - District 1

Henry County Board, promote and support public safety, fiscal responsibility, retain our valuable employees. US Army Reserves, educator, self-employed painter, father, husband.

I am Bob Wachtel and I am running for reelection to our Henry County Board. I like being on our HC Board because I think with my over 20 years experience as a painting business experience, over 20 years experience as an educator, 6 years experience in the US Army Reserves, 58 years experience as a husband with 3 children, I have learned to be financially responsible Board Member.

I believe strongly in supporting our law enforcement team as well as other first responders. I am proud to say I support our Hillcrest Home as well as all of our dedicated employees of the County. I will continue to represent us and request your vote on November 3rd.