Republican party chairman in La Salle County wants board chairman job

The chairman of the La Salle County Board will have to fight for a third term.

Democrat Jerry Hicks of Marseilles is running for re-election and while he won’t face a primary challenge, the chairman will have to beat Republican Don Jensen in the November election. Jensen filed his election papers Monday before the deadline.

While Hicks last ran unopposed in 2012, Jensen was on the same ballot but lost in an attempt to beat State Representative Frank Mautino. Jensen has since become the chairman of the La Salle County Republican Central Committee.

Being board chairman comes with a $68,000 salary.