For the first time in more than a decade there will be a change in leadership on the Tazewell County Board.

Board Member David Zimmerman defeated incumbent James Unsicker for the chairman post.

He says one goal of his is to cut the chairman's salary by 25%.

As a 10-year member of the Tazewell County Board, Zimmerman has plenty of experience in County government. As the winner of Tuesday's Republican primary election, Zimmerman will face Democrat Larry Noreuil in the November general election. Zimmerman says if he wins in November, he's looking forward to more open communication with the public.

"I think with that open communication it builds a sense of accountability and trust with other board members, with the press, with the public. I'm a good consensus builder. I feel like I have a great working relationship with all the elected officials, union representatives."

The pharmaceutical sales rep and father of four says he will cut the chairman's salary 25% to make it comparable to those of other county leaders.

Zimmerman defeated incumbent James Unsicker who led the group for nearly 12 years.

Unsicker says he's most proud of helping keep costs down for taxpayers.

He said, "This year again we have the lowest tax rate out of 102 counties in the state of Illinois. We've consistently maintained that low tax rate through my 12 years as board chairman and simultaneously we've done some huge capital projects in this county and we're still very fiscally solvent."

Unsicker says he's grateful for the time he's served as board chairman. After 20 years on the county board he says walking away from the job won't be easy...and he'll probably remain active in community work.