By Howard Packowitz

NORMAL – Candidates eyeing council seats in Bloomington and Normal are filing petitions for next April’s municipal elections.

Candidates in both communities have until next Monday at 5 p.m. to file petitions with citizens’ signatures.

In Bloomington, a lottery will determine ballot positions in Ward 2 because Donna Boelen and Georgene Chissell filed their petitions at the same time Monday morning. They’re competing for the seat held by David Sage, who’s not running for reelection.

Ward 4 Alderman and local lawyer Amelia Buragas has not announced her attentions as she waits to see if she’ll be appointed as an associate judge. Insurance broker Don “Chip” Frank has turned in his petitions for that seat.

In Ward 6, Jenn Carrillo was the first to file. She’s challenging incumbent Karen Schmidt, who has yet to turn in her paperwork.

Jeff Crabill is on the ballot in Ward 8. Crabill filed on the same day Josh Barnett pulled out of the race for the seat held by Diana Hauman, who is not seeking reelection.

In Normal, there will be a lottery to determine ballot position among incumbents Kathleen Lorenz and R.C. McBride, and newcomers Stan Nord and Dave Shields. They all filed their petitions Monday morning.

Later in the day, Illinois State University Business Professor Karyn Smith filed her petitions.

There are two other announced candidates who have yet to file their petitions, Pat Turner and Joel Studebaker. The clerk’s office said three other people have taken out petitions for the three town council seats up for election next April.

Howard Packowitz can be reached at [email protected]