Russell, Illinois Public Records

Law enforcement services for Russell, Illinois, are provided by the Lake County Sheriff's Office. The sheriff's office maintains records related to crime statistics, arrests, and other law enforcement activities within the community. Residents can access this information through the Lake County Sheriff's Office website (https://www.lakecountyil.gov/1671/Sheriff) or by contacting the office directly. These records help to understand the community's public safety and security concerns.

Russell voters are served by the Lake County Clerk's Office, which administers all elections for the unincorporated area. The Lake County Clerk - Elections Division is located at 18 North County Street, Room 101, Waukegan, IL 60085, phone (847) 377-2406, website www.lakecountyil.gov/399/Elections. This office handles voter registration, early voting, absentee ballots, polling place assignments, election judge recruitment, and official election results for all federal, state, county, and local elections affecting Russell residents.

Russell residents register to vote online through the Illinois State Board of Elections at ova.elections.il.gov, which provides same-day online registration up to 16 days before an election (registration closes 16 days prior to election day for online and mail registration). Illinois also offers same-day voter registration during the early voting period and on election day at designated locations. To register, applicants must be U.S. citizens, at least 18 years old by election day, and residents of their precinct for at least 30 days. A valid Illinois driver's license or state ID number, or the last four digits of a Social Security number, is required for online registration. Grace period registration (same-day) is available during early voting and on election day with proof of residence.

Because Russell is unincorporated with no municipal government, residents do not vote in city council or mayoral elections. Instead, Russell voters participate in Benton Township elections for township supervisor, clerk, assessor, highway commissioner, and trustees. Township elections are held in odd-numbered years during the April consolidated election. Russell voters also participate in all Lake County elections including County Board District 4 representative, countywide offices (Sheriff, Clerk, Treasurer, Coroner, State's Attorney, Recorder), regional offices of education, and various special district boards.

Russell residents can find their assigned polling place using the Lake County polling place lookup tool at www.lakecountyil.gov/632/Polling-Place-Lookup or by calling the Elections Division. Polling places are assigned based on precinct boundaries within Benton Township. The County Clerk's website also provides sample ballots specific to each precinct, allowing voters to review all races and referenda before election day.

Under Illinois election law (10 ILCS 5), several election records are public including voter registration lists (available for purchase for political purposes), campaign finance disclosure reports filed with the Illinois State Board of Elections and Lake County Clerk, candidate filing documents, precinct-level election results, and election judge rosters. These records can be accessed through the County Clerk's Elections Division or the Illinois State Board of Elections website at www.elections.il.gov. Detailed precinct results for all elections are posted on the Lake County Clerk's website following certification.

In the November 2024 general election, Lake County reported approximately 62% voter turnout with over 300,000 ballots cast from approximately 485,000 registered voters, reflecting strong participation in the presidential election. Russell's precincts within Benton Township showed similar engagement levels typical of Lake County's northern communities.

The November 3, 2026 general election will be significant for Russell and Lake County voters. While 2026 is a midterm election year without a presidential race, Illinois voters will decide the Governor's race (Governor J.B. Pritzker's term expires in 2027, making this seat up for election), all constitutional officers including Lieutenant Governor, Attorney General, Secretary of State, Comptroller, and Treasurer. One U.S. Senate seat will be on the ballot (Senator Dick Durbin's seat is up in 2026). All 118 Illinois House seats and a portion of the 59 Illinois Senate seats (Senate terms are staggered) will be contested. Lake County voters will elect County Board members for all 21 districts, the County Clerk, Treasurer, Sheriff, and potentially other county offices depending on the election cycle. Russell voters in Benton Township may also see township positions and special district referenda on the ballot. Primary elections to determine party nominees will be held in June 2026.

Illinois offers multiple methods for casting ballots beyond election day voting. Vote-by-mail (absentee) ballots can be requested online at www.lakecountyil.gov/VoteByMail or by contacting the County Clerk's Elections Division. Applications for mail ballots must be received by the County Clerk no later than 5 days before the election. Voted mail ballots must be postmarked by election day and received within 14 days after the election to be counted. Early voting is available at multiple locations throughout Lake County beginning 40 days before the election, with extended hours during the final week. The Lake County Clerk's office in Waukegan serves as a permanent early voting location, with additional temporary sites established in communities across the county during the early voting period.