Herald News

Former Rep. Debbie Halvorson running to replace Jesse Jackson Jr.

Thu, 27 Dec 2012 06:28:40 -0500

Former U.S. Rep. Debbie Halvorson announced Sunday night that she will run in a special election to replace U.S. Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr., who resigned last week.

Tie trustee race in Elwood determined by bingo balls

Sun, 28 Apr 2013 12:36:00 -0500

Dean Lowrance won the two-man game of chance used Friday as a tie-breaker in the Elwood village trustee election. Lowrance and incumbent Trustee George Ruban had finished in a 222-222 tie after final absentee, provisional and grace period ballots were counted from the April 9 election. The Will County Clerk has candidates who finish even draw bingo balls to meet the state legal requirement of a tie-breaker. There were four candidates in the race for three village trustee seats. Mary Matichak finished first with 337 votes, and Donald LaPaglia was second with 255 votes. …

Moustis fends off challenge in Frankfort Township, Shorewood-Troy library plan fails

Wed, 10 Apr 2013 11:56:25 -0500

A number of voters turned out across the county to choose their local leaders Tuesday. Former Will County Board chairman Jim Moustis fended off a challenge by Mario Carlasare, winning another term as Frankort Township Supervisor with 64 percent of the vote. By 8 p.m. Tuesday, Rockdale Mayor Henry Berry was celebrating with his chosen successor, Sam Wyke, who defeated Cindy Medina 272 to 179. “Sam’s worked hard. He’s the guy for the job,” Berry said. Wyke credited residents’ satisfaction with Berry’s 15 years in office for his selection. “I’m feeling very good. I think people like the way Rockdale …

Five vying for four seats in Channahon District 17 school board race

Tue, 09 Apr 2013 12:50:01 -0500

Four seats are open on the Channahon District 17 school board, and five contenders will be running for those positions. Appearing on the ballot will be incumbents Derek Breen, Pat Clower, and Joan Ferguson and challengers Joseph Pope and Frank Smith. The school board positions are four-year terms. Derek Breen Breen, a construction laborer, has been on the school board for the past eight years. He served in the U.S. Marine Corps 1988-1992 and has been active in coaching Channahon baseball and several Channahon Park District sports. Breen’s goals for the district include maintaining an equal balance among the concerns …

They’re breaking locks to vote in Naperville — sort of

Sat, 11 May 2013 06:26:10 -0500

When Will County Clerk Nancy Schultz Voots says voting is important, she means it. Voots authorized her first forced entry into a polling place early Tuesday when election judges reported for duty and found the building locked tight. Election judges are supposed to start their day at 5 a.m. setting up election materials before the polls open at 6 a.m. But the Tall Grass Clubhouse at 3324 Deering Bay Drive in the Naperville portion of Wheatland Township was closed. Voots said two contact numbers she had for the building led only to voicemail messages and no one could be reached …

Plenty of candidates in Wheatland Township races

Tue, 09 Apr 2013 10:51:23 -0500

The upcoming Wheatland Township general election on April 9 is packed with a full slate of candidates from both Republicans and Democrats along with an assortment of independent candidates. A whopping 12 candidates are running for the four trustee positions including a former supervisor. Former Republicans and current officeholders, Supervisor Todd Morse, Assessor Kelli Lord, and Tax Collector Aatif Rahman, are now running as an independent group along with trustee candidate Gary Brooks. Longtime Highway Commissioner and former Republican Dayton Jarnagin is running as a “Wheatland Independent” alongside township trustee candidates Neuqua Valley social studies teacher, Catherine “Cat” Bishir, and …

Races shape up in three of four Yorkville wards

Wed, 08 May 2013 06:41:45 -0500

YORKVILLE — Voters here will get a chance to change the face of the City Council, or keep it exactly the same. There are races in three of the four wards on the council, with incumbents running for re-election in each ward. Alderman Larry Kot, 2nd Ward, is the only incumbent running unopposed. As might be expected, the incumbents are touting their experience, and accomplishments. “We need to elect experienced people who know how to get things done,” said Alderman Marty Munns, 3rd Ward, who has been elected three previous times. Challengers are touting the need for change. Joel Frieders, …

Yorkville voters to decide on treasurer, clerk issue Tuesday

Wed, 08 May 2013 06:41:35 -0500

YORKVILLE — As it stands, Yorkville residents elect the city clerk and city treasurer. But that could change Tuesday when voters decide in a referendum if the two positions should continue to be elected, or instead appointed. While city officials have taken no sides on the matter, they have already prepared for an appointed treasurer. William Powell resigned earlier this year from the position in anticipation that it would become appointed. The city appointed its finance director as assistant treasurer, with the expectation he would become treasurer if the position is appointed. Treasurer The treasurer position is mostly one of …

Former Bear Steve McMichael’s mayoral campaign hits a snag in Romeoville

Sun, 10 Feb 2013 17:58:59 -0500

In politics, as in football, there are rules. At least one political player in the village of Romeoville believes former Chicago Bear Steve McMichael has thumbed his nose at the rules in the race for village president.

Naperville scientist, entrepreneur eager to get to Washington

Tue, 05 Feb 2013 06:14:48 -0500

The office wasn’t quite in order yet. Then again, Bill Foster wasn’t in office yet, either. Not quite. “It’s an interesting day of semi-organization around here,” Foster said. It was Wednesday morning, and Foster was talking on the phone from Washington, D.C., barely 24 hours before his official return to Capitol Hill. His surroundings were in “various states of disarray,” he said — but some progress was evident. “We have the computers, but no passwords to get into the computers,” he said. A Democrat, scientist and businessman who lives in Naperville, Foster was on his way back to the Beltway …

Former Bear Steve McMichael files to run for mayor of Romeoville

Mon, 28 Jan 2013 15:48:49 -0500

Former Chicago Bear Steve McMichael, a member of the 1985 Super Bowl champions, made his run for Romeoville mayor official Wednesday when he filed the petitions needed to become a candidate.

Lockport Mayor Dev Trivedi not running for re-elecction

Sun, 13 Jan 2013 11:08:17 -0500

After 26 years in public office, Lockport Mayor Dev Trivedi has announced he will not seek re-election in April.

Former Rep. Debbie Halvorson running to replace Jesse Jackson Jr.

Fri, 28 Dec 2012 06:13:05 -0500

Former U.S. Rep. Debbie Halvorson announced Sunday night that she will run in a special election to replace U.S. Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr., who resigned last week.

March 19 set for election to replace Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr. — for now

Fri, 28 Dec 2012 06:18:40 -0500

SPRINGFIELD — Gov. Pat Quinn has set March 19 as the date for a special election to fill the South Side and south-suburban congressional seat vacated last week by former U.S. Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr., Secretary of State Jesse White’s office confirmed Monday.

Three may vie for leadership of forest preserve board

Mon, 24 Dec 2012 06:47:53 -0500

While Democrats won a long-sought majority on the Will County Board in the Nov. 6 election, the same isn’t true of the other board they automatically serve on. County board members double as forest preserve board members, though the two boards are separate legal entities. Both boards now have a 13-13 split between Democrats and Republicans. And while Democrats have the edge on the county board because County Executive Larry Walsh, D-Elwood, can cast tie-breaking votes, Walsh has no role whatsoever on the forest preserve board. On that board tie votes will fail, according to Roberts Rules of Order. So …

Bible win ushers in new era for Will County Democrats

Tue, 20 Nov 2012 23:17:33 -0500

Democrat Reed Bible’s Will County Board victory after Tuesday’s final vote count will usher in a new era of politics in Will County with Democrats more in charge than they have been in 32 years. Bible was a little in shock and Republican incumbent John Argoudelis was on the verge of tears after the final total showed Bible won the hotly contested District 5 race. Democrats will have the county board majority for the first time since 1980. The board is tied at 13-13 for each party, but Will County Exective Larry Walsh, a Democrat, can cast tie-breaking votes, which …