A longtime patrol deputy with the Knox County Sheriff’s Office will seek the role of Knox County Coroner in 2024.
Jacque Dare announced this week in a news release she will be a Republican candidate for the position of Knox County coroner in 2024. Current Knox County Coroner Mark Thomas said he does not plan to seek re-election.
A Galesburg native, Dare has lived and worked in Knox County her entire life. She worked in the laboratory at Cottage Hospital for nine years.
Dare has served as a patrol officer for the Knox County Sheriff’s Office for the past 18 years. She’s also the Elderly Services Officer for the area and the contact person for TRIAD/SALT.
“As the coroner, I understand that I will not see people on a good day and because of this, I will bring caring and compassion to the job,” Dare said in a news release. “My goal is to make a sad and devastating situation a little easier to get through by providing resources and answering the difficult questions.
“I can also provide direction and guidance as to what steps need to be taken.”
Thomas tells WGIL, “At this point, I am not planning on running again. It’s been my honor to care for Knox County in the most difficult time.”
Thomas became deputy coroner for Coroner John Watson in 1998 and was elected to the first of his five terms as Knox County Coroner in 2004.
The 2024 general election will be Tuesday, Nov. 5. The Illinois primary is scheduled for March 19.
