My name is Jim Luebke (lib-key). I'm a twenty-year resident of DeKalb County. I raised my daughter, Kate, in Sycamore.
From 1978 to 1984 I served in the U.S. Navy as a Nuclear Propulsion Plant Mechanical Operator on board the Guided Missile Cruiser U.S.S. Arkansas. While on board the Arkansas, we provided Naval Gunfire Support off the coast of Beirut as part of the Multi-National Peacekeeping Force during the Lebanese Civil War in the early 1980's.
Coming back to Illinois after my discharge, I moved to DeKalb to attend Northern Illinois University, graduating in 1990 with a B.A. in History. After working with various local companies for a number of years, I spent three years working all across DeKalb County as a highly demanded substitute teacher. Then I spent a year working at Clinton Rosette Middle School in DeKalb.
Afterwards, I returned to my engineering experience from the Navy and began working as a manager at a small manufacturing plant in Sycamore. For 9 years, I have worked in this position with customers in heavy equipment manufacturing all over the world.
I’ve also participated in many social organizations, including V.F.W., Marine Corps League (Associate member), Sierra Club, Amnesty International, NIU Alumni Assoc., and the Social Ministry team & church council at First Lutheran Church in DeKalb. I was also the DeKalb County Chapter Specialist for the 2009 Thrivent Builds with Habitat for Humanity home recently completed in DeKalb.
Throughout the last 5 years, I have had the opportunity to work with a number of political campaigns. I have found that I have a passion for our electoral system. I got that passion from the people of DeKalb County: knocking doors, talking with people, and shaking hands at the various fairs and festivals throughout our county. I first ran for Precinct Committeeman in 2006, and have held that post ever since. In 2008, I helped coordinate a poll watching effort and train about 20 people in the laws and regulations surrounding election day. In 2009 I ran for DeKalb Township Trustee as the only non-incumbent in the race. There were five candidates competing for four seats, and I won one of those seats with the second highest vote total of the five.
I plan to carry this passion for our electoral process and skill for meeting and talking with the people of DeKalb County with me as your next County Clerk. On November 2nd, exercise your right and please vote for Democrat Jim Luebke for DeKalb County Clerk and Recorder.