Four candidates vying for three Trustee seats in the Village of Rockton
Rockton Village President John Peterson and Village Clerk Christina Stewart are running unopposed in the upcoming election on April 1.
Peterson will continue as Rockton Village President in his second term. Peterson served as a Trustee since 2009 before being sworn in on May 4, 2021 as Rockton Village President.
Stewart was initially appointed in 2104 and ran for election in April of 2015 for an unexpired two year term, to finish out the term from the previous village clerk after she left. Stewart ran again in 2017, 2021 and now in 2025.
Four candidates are running for three seats on the Rockton Village Board of Trustees:
David Bennington
David Bennington decided to run for Village Trustee to play an active role in the community.” I want to have a positive impact on the community and the Village. My interest developed when I started having children. This interest is to help continue to make Rockton a great place to live and raise a family.”
Bennington’s vision for the Village is to keep improving the Village and community. “I want to focus on economic development, supporting local businesses, and expanding community events and amenities. I want to bring transparency to the village and drive community involvement and input into Village initiatives and decisions.”
Bennington has followed Rockton’s and surrounding towns and governments for years.
Bennington has volunteered for Habitat for Humanity, Drive Out Hunger, Sleep in Heavenly Peace, One Million Tree Initiative, and United Way, organized Sleep in Heavenly
Peace bed-building events and helped organize United Way golf outings.
Bennington currently works as a Program Lead at Fairbanks Morse Defense.
Bennington and his wife have been married for 14 years and have three young children. Bennington is an 11 year resident of Rockton.
This is Bennington’s first run for Trustee.
Spencer Cushing
Spencer Cushing reasons for running start him having a knack for politics.
Growing up, my father always talked about our local governing bodies. I also want to show my generation and the younger generations that change starts at the local level and their voices will be heard.”
Cushing’s vision for the future of the Village of Rockton- “ Honestly, I want the village to grow. I want our community to be a tourist destination, but at the same time I want to keep that small town feel. I want to invest in our local businesses and community.”
Cushing dedicates most of his time helping at The Rockton American Legion in Rockton, Post #332.
“I help with whatever I can. Much of that time is volunteer work including opening the
Rockton Legion for Thanksgiving in 2024, the yearly Children’s Christmas Party, and setting up blood drives. Cushing is the Chair of the Legion’s PR committee, working on their social media accounts, overseeing newsletters, and organizing special events in the future.
Cushing also volunteers his time with Vets Roll. “This organization is very dear to me and last year I had the opportunity to take the trip to Washington D.C. with veterans from all over the country. I now spend as much time as I can helping with fundraisers, extra volunteer work for Vets Roll.”
Cushing and his family like volunteering for the Alpine Kiwanis Brat Days.
Cushing works for American Calibration out of Fox River Grove. He has worked in calibration/meteorology going on 8 years.
Cushing has been married to his wife, Paige for five years (going on six 2025). Together they have three kids: Maiah, Elsa, and Evan.
The Cushing’s also have two dogs: Bourbon and Jaxx. Bourbon is a German short haired/Hound mix and Jaxx is a Pitbull/Terrier mix.
Cushing and his wife have been Rockton residents since October of 2023. Both are alumni of Hononegah Community High School.
“I guess you can say our hearts have always been in Rockton,” Cushing said. This is Cushing’s first run for Trustee.
Sarah Doerflinger decided to run for a seat on the Rockton Village Board because she strongly believes in her community.
“I believe that the current Trustees do an outstanding job, and I know that the three trustees who are exiting office this year are not running for another term. We need people in these positions who are committed to having a strong, financially healthy and stable foundation for our community. I want to be part of maintaining this and improving our community in the future,” Doerflinger said.
“I have always loved this community and when my husband and I moved here in 2019 I knew I wanted to get involved.
After attending the ‘Meet the Candidates’ night in 2021 I knew that being a Trustee was a first step in getting involved that can really make a difference,” Doerflinger said.
“ My vision for the village is to continue building on a thriving community where our residents can enjoy a vibrant downtown. I want to see a place where residents can live in a healthy environment and have a sense of safety and community. while supporting local businesses.”
Doerflinger has been a mortgage lender since 2008, when she started working for a small community bank.
She currently works at Fairway Independent Mortgage Corporation in Loves Park, IL. Where she helps people secure financing to buy and to refinance their home loans.
“I absolutely love what I do, and am so thankful to be able to change someone’s life by building wealth in real estate and coaching people to become homeowners, “Doerflinger said.
Doerflinger said that she has been blessed with opportunities to volunteer with children and young adults in education with finance and job training.
Doerflinger was raised in Roscoe and graduated from HCHS in 2000.
Doerflinger has been married to Dan Doerflinger for almost eight years. They have lived in Rockton since June of 2019.
The Doerflinger’ s have three dogs, and have raised three children together
This is Doerflinger’s first run for Trustee.
Jamin Unger
Jamin Unger ran for Trustee two years ago and came up just short of earning a seat.
“I have learned in my life, if you fall down, you get back up and try again. After that election I was encouraged and asked to join the Village of Rockton Planning Commission, after a short time on the commission I was voted as Vice Chair by my peers. During my time on the planning commission I have learned the process of city/village government and have enjoyed every minute of it. I feel that my experiences on this commission has pushed me to want to be a part of the village board in a trustee position,” Unger said.
My family has a history of holding local offices, I am originally from Sycamore Ill., where my great grandfather was the mayor for many ears. I feel that I have the qualities and expertise that would benefit this community.”
Unger has a bachelor’s degree in architectural studies from the University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC). I worked as an architect for a local architecture firm for 12 years out of school and have been in the construction industry ever since.
“I can bring something to the Village of Rockton that is currently isn’t there. I have extensive knowledge in both residential and commercial construction and design, infrastructure projects, streetscapes, sidewalk projects, sanitary, storm sewer and water projects and complete road reconstruction projects, and more.
“I will be an advocate and a voice for the people of Rockton by using my knowledge to better communicate upcoming and current projects in the village. I believe that construction and public works projects are one of the most important items on a village board monthly agenda, due to the fact that these types of projects require a large portion of the budget.
I have the ability to read and understand drawings and design quickly and would be a voice for the community to help determine if a project is required, necessary, and or if the scope is in the best interest of the budget and the people.
Knowing there are many state and federal grants available for a number of different projects, it is my vision to do my best to better the community with future infrastructure projects, commercial growth, neighborhood development, and to help facilitate those projects.”
In addition to serving on the planning commission Unger is a member of the Advisory Council for the Northeast Branch YMCA, is the current Treasurer of the Hononegah Booster Club, has volunteered to be an assistant softball coach for his daughter and as a baseball coach for his son, and has served as a Salvation Army bell ringer.
Unger works as a Project Manager/Estimator for Scandroli Construction. I absolutely love my job,” Unger said.
“I am the proud father of three amazing children. My oldest daughter is 20 as of this interview and a junior at the University of Iowa with the intention of becoming a doctor. My oldest son is 16 and a junior at HCHS and my youngest son is 11 and in fifth grade at Kinnikinnick School.”
Unger has a Siberian Husky named Denali, “Nali” for short and two cats, Max and Lenny.
“I enjoy spending time with my kids, working on my car and riding my motorcycle.
“I have always enjoyed working outside in the yard and working on projects around the house,” Unger said.
Unger has lived in the area since 2001 and have lived in Rockton since 2013.
“I would like to thank everyone for the opportunity and chance to gain your trust in seeking this position. I feel very privileged to live in the Village of Rockton and am excited about the opportunity!
Those who are elected will work with current Rockton Village Trustees Dan Baumgartner, Jodi May and Dave Winters.
Scott Danielson, Arianne Honkamp and Justin York are not running for reelection