This fall, voters in Champaign County are choosing their first county executive. The holder of this new elected office will preside over county board meetings, and be the day-to-day manager of county government. Before we meet Gordie Hulten and Darlene Kloeppel, the two candidates running for the post, it’s useful to get an idea of the county executive’s powers.

The two candidates for Champaign County Executive, Republican Gordy Hulten and Democrat Darlene Kloeppel, both say they'll be able to overcome divisions on the Champaign County Board in order to reach consensus.

The only current candidate for the elected Champaign County Executive says $117,000 is too high a salary.