This fall, voters in Champaign County are choosing their first county executive. The holder of this new elected office will preside over county board meetings, and be the day-to-day manager of county government. Before we meet Gordie Hulten and Darlene Kloeppel, the two candidates running for the post, it’s useful to get an idea of the county executive’s powers.

Tuesday is election day … and Champaign County wants to see more high schoolers at polling places – even if they're not old enough to vote yet.

In Illinois – and most other states -- High school students who are at least 16 and in good academic standing are in demand as election judges.