I’m Sanford Hess

I’m running for County Executive of Champaign, Illinois in 2026.

Why I am right for this role:

Experience - public service is my chosen career; I have the skills for this job.

Collaboration – I have a history of working well with our local governments.

Commitment - this is my adopted community and I love it here.

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About Sanford

Sanford has more than 30 years of experience working with local government administration.

  • 10 years as the head of IT for the City of Urbana (2013 - 2024)

  • 22 years as a consultant on government finance/payroll operations. (It’s what he still does for a living: https://www.sanfordhess.com/)

Sanford loves living in Champaign County - and wants to contribute his skills and experience working from the inside to improve local government to help our community.

Sanford Hess stands in front of a painted picture of flowers.

What does the County Executive do?

This is the most common question people ask!

Champaign is one of only two Counties in Illinois that elects this position. Most Counties just hire an Administrator.