Jack C. Harlan Jr.
Republican · IL · Knox County Sheriff
Jack Harlan Jr. has been Knox County Sheriff since 2022 and is a retired U.S. Army first sergeant who earned a Purple Heart. He earlier worked as a sheriff's detective and K-9 handler.
Where Jack C. Harlan Jr. stands, based on their records
Supports
Public Safety and Crime Control (6 records)
Opposes
Gun Control (1 record)
Track record
Track record — Public Safety and Crime Control
Public Safety and Crime Control · 6 support
Oversaw a sheriff's office drug trafficking investigation that sent two Galesburg men to federal prison. On June 15, 2026, one got 40 years and the other got 27.5 years.
June 15, 2026Supports Public Safety and Crime Control
Source: 977wmoi.com
Said in a radio interview that he strongly backs police body cameras. He said his office uses them on patrol and in the jail, and they helped answer lawsuits and complaints.
January 15, 2026Supports Public Safety and Crime Control
Source: 977wmoi.com
Published a statement asking state leaders to change the SAFE-T Act. He said judges need more power to keep violent suspects in jail before trial.
December 4, 2025Supports Public Safety and Crime Control
Source: knoxcountysheriffil.com
Added a grant-funded mental health and re-entry program at the county jail, a 2025 state inspection report found. The program runs 40 hours a week.
April 1, 2025Supports Public Safety and Crime Control
Source: idoc.illinois.gov
Added body cameras for jail staff, a 2024 state jail inspection report found. The report also said his jail hired more staff and added AA and NA support groups for people held there.
April 1, 2024Supports Public Safety and Crime Control
Source: idoc.illinois.gov
Announced that his office took over as the main police force for the city of Abingdon. The deal between the county board and the city gave Abingdon 24-hour patrol coverage and a sheriff's investigator.
January 27, 2024Supports Public Safety and Crime Control
Source: wgil.com
Track record — Gun Control
Gun Control · 1 oppose
Refused in a public statement to enforce Illinois' new assault weapons law (Protect Illinois Communities Act). He said the law breaks the Second Amendment. He said his office refused to check gun registrations or jail people arrested only under that law.
January 11, 2023Opposes Gun Control
Source: knoxcountysheriffil.com
Track record — General
General · 3 records
Won election as Knox County Sheriff, beating Democrat James Robertson.
November 8, 2022
Source: kwqc.com
Received the endorsement of the Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 427 in his 2022 race for sheriff. The lodge board voted unanimously. State Rep. Dan Swanson and U.S. Rep. Darin LaHood also backed him.
February 21, 2022
Source: wgil.com
Resigned as police chief of the village of East Galesburg. He sent his letter to the village board during a long fight over village leadership. The town's two other officers then quit too.
November 6, 2019
Source: wgil.com
Past race Jack C. Harlan Jr. ran in:
- Knox County Sheriff · November 3, 2026 · Knox County, Illinois · incumbent