Scott Erickson, the incumbent Republican clerk and recorder in Knox County, is seeking reelection. He’ll face Democratic challenger Johan Henrikson in the Nov. 3 general election.
Erickson was appointed county clerk in 2004 to complete the term of Marc Wong, and has been elected to the seat five times since then. Challenger Henrikson is a Galesburg native and local real estate agent.
TSPR asked the candidates why they’re running, what the top responsibilities of the office are, if mail-in voting is safe, and what the office should be doing that it is currently not.
About the Candidates
Scott Erickson
Age as of Nov. 3, 2026: 57
Occupation/Work History:
Knox County Clerk – Appointed / Elected 2004
Marketing Representative – Illinois Funds and E-Pay– Illinois State Treasurer Judy Baar Topinka’s office.
Purchasing Agent – Mechanical Service Incorporated
Retail Sales (Radio Shack and Musicland)
Education: Graduate - Knoxville High School; Graduate - Knox College, BA in Political Science (1987-1991)
Community Involvement:
Knox County Fair Board – Director/Associate Director
Faith United Methodist Church – Board of Trustees and Pastor Parish Relations Committee
Volunteer – Discovery Depot Festival of Trees Event (Clerk of the Live Auction)
Retired Youth Sports Official (Basketball, Baseball, Volleyball, and Track)
Volunteer – Annual Abingdon Fire District Chicken Fry Fundraiser
Volunteer – Carl Sandburg College “Real World” experience for Junior High Students.
Former Member – Galesburg Noon LIONS Club
Johan Henrikson
Age, as of Nov. 3, 2026: I am 44 years old, I was born in 1982
Education: I graduated from Galesburg High School, earned my associate degree at Carl Sandburg College, received my bachelor’s degree from Bradley University, graduated with my Master’s degree from North Central College.
Occupation/Work History: I own and run my own small business. I am a real estate agent with Mel Foster company in Galesburg, Illinois.
Community Involvement: While in graduate school I worked to help the Chicago Coalition for the Homeless enact new legislation that helped with affordable housing. I have also served as a commissioner for the Joint Commission for Racial Justice and Equality, holding corporations accountable and protecting local environmental laws. I am also a proud member of Rotary International and I enjoy championing local businesses and creative projects that make life more dynamic in Knox County.
Why are you running and why should you be elected?
Erickson: I am running to retain my elected position of County Clerk and Recorder. I feel that I have performed well in this position and its important roles in County Government. My experience and networking connections have given me the opportunity to work closely with other County Clerks and Recorders in Illinois and nationwide. I truly enjoy my work and would appreciate the voters’ confidence to be elected to another term!
Henrikson: I grew up here in Knox County and I want to affect positive change in the community that I reside. The current problems in the Knox County Clerk and Recorder's office are solvable, and I want to see county government operate more efficiently. I think I should be elected because I know exactly what needs to be done on day one when I am sworn in. In my current profession, I deal with public records every day. I am responsible for millions of dollars’ worth of contracts that I manage. I figure rates, and track local financing and regulation. I have experience in mediation and negotiation, managing people and departments of 15 or more people. I evaluate quantitative data, and not only have I taken graduate level courses in business ethics, I deal with business ethics and legal compliance every day in my career. I am qualified and ready to be sworn in as the next Knox County Clerk and Recorder.
What is the biggest operational challenge facing the clerk and recorder's office right now, and what should be done to address it?
Erickson: The biggest operational challenge we are facing now is the office having staff on two different floors of the Courthouse. The Recording office is on the third floor while the County Clerk office is on the first floor. It makes it feel like the offices are so detached. We work hard on making the whole staff feel like one big family, and we have been successful with that. When a new/different building is chosen, the offices will be next to each other on the same floor.
Henrikson: The biggest operational challenge facing the clerk and recorder's office is getting the property tax bills out on time. Illinois has the second highest property tax rate in the country behind New Jersey, the least our county government can do is get our property tax bills out to the Knox County residents on time. Here's how it works, a local assessor estimates what your property is worth on the open market. Most of Illinois aside from Cook County, assesses property at 33% of the market value. The Illinois Department of Revenue applies a multiplier to the assessed value so that property assessments stay uniform across different counties and districts. The program we use in Knox County is called (DevNet), it takes all the information and figures the rate. The assessor sends out the EAV to the clerk by Feb. 1. There's no reason why we can't get our information from the Clerk's office to the Treasurer's office by April 1. When Knox County Tax bills are delayed, the citizens are the ones that end up paying the price. They have less time to come up with the money on some of the highest taxes in between the country. It puts a strain on working families, working families need that extra time to come up with the second payment. If they don't come up with it on time because it wasn't given to them on time, they are fined and penalized. If the folks of Knox County elect me to be the next Knox County Clerk and Recorder, I will set clear deadlines and targets to create urgency and get necessary tasks done on time, so that I don't encumber or burden the residents of Knox County.
What are the three most important responsibilities of the county clerk and recorder? What is your assessment of how those responsibilities are being performed?
Erickson: 1. Managing and operating Election Services for the County. We have done very well with this responsibility. We have now worked with three different types of election equipment and continue to work hard showing the public that elections are being conducted safely and efficiently.
2. Operating and maintaining the vital records for the County. We are responsible for the issuance of all the birth, marriage, and death certificates for the County. We work closely with local funeral homes and hospital to make sure that the records are transmitted to us properly and that we provide prompt and efficient service to those needing those records.
3. Tax Extension operations. We are the second step in the tax calculation process. We enter the levy requests from the taxing bodies in the County so that they can receive their property tax funds. This process can take a bit of time to complete and accuracy in the data entry and calculations is a MUST. Trying to speed through the processes just to meet a deadline set by another office is not the wise way to proceed. Meticulous attention to the data and formulas is critical to producing an accurate and correct process for this step. We have been very vocal that this process not be rushed to completion. The results of rushing could cause the tax bills to have to be re-printed at a cost to the County.
Henrikson: The Clerk and Recorder is responsible for maintaining public records and overseeing elections, and they are an important part of a property tax process. They also maintain administrative services for the county. In my estimation, all three of these responsibilities are not being executed with exactitude or in a timely fashion. When talking about maintaining public records and elections, they go hand in hand. Here in Knox County, people that have been dead for years are still getting mail-in ballots. That threatens election security. It's also very sloppy record keeping. As for the property tax bill process, our taxes have been delayed coming out to the homeowner for years. Last year in 2025, the tax bill was mailed out almost thirty days later than it was this year. I wonder why that is when the Clerk gets the EAV from the Assessor by Feb. 1. What's with the inconsistency? The people of Knox County deserve a steady and consistent public servant. Maintaining administrative services is paramount to the office, it is the job of the Clerk and Recorder to distribute the minutes to the citizens of Knox County. And that not being done consistently, or on time either. The reason why it's important is, if you are not able to make the meeting or don't attend, those minutes are the only way of knowing how your local government decided to spend your money. As Clerk and Recorder, I will strive to meet strict due dates and timelines that affect the lives of residents of Knox County.
Is mail-in voting safe and secure in general and specifically in Knox County? Why or why not?
Erickson: Mail-in voting is safe and secure in Knox County. There are many levels of checks and balances that are incorporated into the process. Voters that use vote by mail are always happy to know that we take this portion of the election process very seriously. Signatures are verified to prove that the person who cast the ballot is the correct one and is eligible to vote. I encourage everyone to exercise your right to vote. Voting means your voice can be heard and could affect the operations of the governing body.
Henrikson: Mail-in voting or absentee voting is an important right and needs to be upheld. Unfortunately, my opponent's party is trying to limit, or do away with absentee voting altogether. This is a national issue and a local issue. Mail-in voting plays a central role in the modern election process by addressing barriers do casting a ballot. Individuals that work long shifts, and individuals with hourly wage jobs that don't have paid leave, risk loss of wages or job security. Voters with disabilities or mobility issues, as well as rural or geographically isolated voters can suffer and experience transportation obstacles that keep them getting to the poles. The process also helps military service members and overseas citizens participate in home elections. Parents and caregivers of young children and elderly folks can also be affected, because they cannot participate unless they are able to find child care on the day of the election. For all these reasons, mail- in voting must be protected.
What do you believe the clerk and recorder's office should be doing that it currently is not?
Erickson: I have many plans for the office in the upcoming years. We will be working towards a more digital receipting system for our constituents. The receipts are hand written now, but with the use of technology, we will be able to make the process more efficient and transparent to our customers. We will also be looking into alternative ways to connect with the public. We currently have a text to phone program built for our Election Judges so we can communicate important information to them quickly. We will look to expand that to other aspects of the office. I am also looking forward to providing for electronic voting at the County Board meetings. This system will allow Board Members to vote by a remote control and in private. When the voting is done, the results are displayed to the public and recorded for our records. We will also be expanding the Off-Highway Side by Side permits to a kiosk or phone app so that a temporary license can be issued for those visiting Knox County. This will help increase the fee revenue and help awareness about the program to visitors.
Henrikson: I believe that the clerk and recorder's office could do a more efficient job updating and maintaining voter records. The tax bills have been delayed and inconsistent. Placing an undue burden on the taxpayers of Knox County. This last year, my opponent sat on the tax abstract for months. All he had to do is sign it and send it to the state. He was three months late in doing so. This kind of behavior is unacceptable. The voters of Knox County deserve a steady and consistent public servant. Maintaining voter records is of utmost importance, especially in this day and age when election security has come into question.
The county clerk should strive to provide more transparency and information to the public. The county clerk is also responsible for providing detailed information in the county board packet so that a more informed decision can be made on behalf of Knox County taxpayers. If the information in the packet is intentionally vague, then certain people's agendas can get pushed through more easily. If elected, I will strive to provide more information to the taxpayers of Knox County and I will be on time, nimble, and responsive in my public service. My opponent has had his time in office. A vote for Johan Henrikson is a vote for positive change in Knox County, which we desperately need at a time like this.
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