The Champaign County Democratic Central Committee has opened the application process to fill the County Board District 10 seat left vacant by Dr. Chris Stohr, whose four-year term was set to end in November 2026. The committee is calling on local Democrats residing in District 10, which covers the east central portion of Urbana, to apply for the appointment before the deadline of Sunday, July 6, 2025, at 5:00 p.m.

Applicants will be vetted by the precinct committee people of District 10, who will recommend a candidate to County Board Chair Jen Locke. The final appointment will require the advice and consent of the full County Board. Because less than half of the term remains, the seat will also appear on the November 2026 ballot for a regular election.

District 10 is generally bounded by Airport Road to the north, County Road 2000 E to the east, Homer Lake Road and Windsor Road to the south, and Cedar Street, Vine Street, and Anderson Court to the west. Interested residents can verify their eligibility and submit an application online.

Dr. Stohr, a long-serving and respected board member, is recognized for his leadership in environmental protection, particularly his efforts to safeguard the Mahomet Aquifer, the region’s sole source of drinking water. He spearheaded the mapping of the aquifer and led the Carbon Sequestration Task Force, initiatives that have had county-wide impact.

“Dr. Stohr has been an invaluable member of the Champaign County Board. There are many things I could list that he has done, but there is one that has helped every person in this County and that is Dr. Stohr’s passion and commitment to protecting the Mahomet Aquifer, our sole source of drinking water. He led the effort to map the Aquifer, giving us a much better understanding of where we need to protect, and he leaves the County Board continuing to protect the Aquifer by leading the Carbon Sequestration Task Force,” stated Champaign County Democratic Central Committee Chair Mike Ingram. “Now it’s time for us to find the right person to fill this seat so we encourage any Democrat who has a commitment to their community and lives in District 10  to consider applying.”