A bipartisan group of Illinois county clerks traveled to Washington on April 28 to meet with federal lawmakers and advocate for continued support and funding for election infrastructure. The delegation included clerks from Alexander, Putnam, Knox, Lake, and Tazewell counties, along with Tazewell County’s chief deputy clerk.
The group joined more than 100 election officials from 26 states as part of “Election Infrastructure Advocacy Day 2026.” Meetings were held with members of Congress and staff, including Darin LaHood, Brad Schneider, and Nikki Budzinski, as well as staff for several other federal legislators and the House Administration Committee.
Participants emphasized the need for sustained federal investment to address rising costs, cybersecurity concerns, and increasing operational demands in election administration. Officials described the effort as a bipartisan collaboration aimed at strengthening election systems and maintaining public confidence. Travel expenses for the trip were covered through a private grant, with no public funds used.
