Michael L. Karner
Democratic, incumbent
Regional Superintendent of Schools, Lake County
AI wrote this from the sources listed below. A second AI checked each sentence against its source, and software checked the links and dates. A person didn’t review it, so every sentence links to its source for you to check. Updated Wednesday, October 7, 2026.
Overview
Appointed in 2021 and elected in 2022, Lake County Regional Superintendent of Schools Michael Karner secured $18 million in grants. He previously served as a Regional Safe School Program principal and taught math, Spanish and ELL. After the Illinois Virtual School shut down in 2021, he secured grants to relaunch it. He says over 25,000 people have used ReferralGPS, a mental health service his office implemented.1, 2, 3, 5
Campaign money
Not found in public sources as of Wednesday, October 7, 2026.
Endorsements
- Lake County Democrats4Party
Sources
- Regional superintendent, Fortune Brands honored at Lake County Partners' Big Event, Chicago Tribune. Viewed Wednesday, October 7, 2026.
- Beyond the Curriculum 2025 - Virtual Event, Government Technology. Viewed Wednesday, October 7, 2026.
- Michael Karner - GovTech, Government Technology. Viewed Wednesday, October 7, 2026.
- 2026 Candidates - Lake County Democrats, Lake County Democrats. Viewed Wednesday, October 7, 2026.
- University of Illinois System and IVSA launch partnership to expand virtual learning across Illinois, University of Illinois System. Viewed Wednesday, October 7, 2026.