Paul Hinds, Chris Nybo out; Cronin wins in a squeaker; D205 referendum passes
By Dee Longfellow
For The Independent
It was a sad night at the Elmhurst Elks Club, where DuPage County Republicans gathered to watch the results of the General Election on Tuesday, Nov. 6.
At the federal level, Democrat Mike Quigley who represents the 5th Congressional District, which includes Elmhurst, handily won re-election with 14,490* votes over Republican Tom Hanson who received 12,674.* In the 8th Congressional District, which includes Villa Park, Addison and other communities in the Independent readership area, the popular Raja Krishnamoorthi (D) garnered 47,027 votes over Jitendra Diganvker (R) who received 28,189.
Local Republicans were also watching the race in the 6th District, as Peter Roskam (R), who represented the Elmhurst area prior to the redistricting, lost to Sean Casten (D), who got 86,850 to Roskam’s 73,574.
Dems sweep the State
At the State level, Democrats swept the top seats of Governor, Lt. Governor, Attorney General, State Comptroller and State Treasurer. Democrat Jesse White, who has served five terms as Secretary of State received 65.5% of the vote in DuPage County to claim a 6th term over challengers Jason Helland (R) and Steve Dutner (L).
In the 23rd State Senatorial District, Democrat Tom Cullerton of Villa Park garnered almost 55% percent of the vote over Republican challenger Seth Lewis, beating him 36,552 to 30,489.
In the 24th Senate District, Elmhurst Republican Chris Nybo was neck-and-neck with Democrat Suzanne Glowiak right up to the finish in a race that was so close, it ended with a call for a recount. At press time (when all results were still unofficial), Glowiak was ahead of Nybo by just 227 votes, prompting the recount.
In the race for State Representative in the 46th District, Democrat Deb Conroy was re-elected to another term with slightly more than 58% of the vote over Gordon Kinzler (R). The vote was 17,834 to 12,833.
In the 47th District, the numbers of Deanne Mazzochi (R) and James Caffrey (D) were very close all evening, until later when Mazzochi pulled ahead, beating Caffrey 23,944 to 21,913.
In the 48th District, Republican Peter Breen lost to Democrat Terra Cost Howard who drew 25,483 votes over Breen’s 22,724.
In the 77th District, which includes Addison and Bensenville, State Rep. Kathleen Willis (D) easily won re-election by a 2-1 margin over Anthony Airdo (R).
Eye on DuPage County…
At the County level, Republican spectators on Election night watched a nail-biter as County Board Chairman Dan Cronin was slightly behind Lynn LaPlante (D) most of the evening until the end when Cronin pulled ahead, winning 177,997 to 167,177.
County Sheriff James Mendrick (R) held on to his seat over challenger Gregory Whalen by a vote of 175,864 to 167,114.
In a stunner, DuPage County Clerk and leader in the DuPage Republican Party Paul Hinds fell to Democrat Jean Kaczmarek 178,730 to 164,234.
In County Board District #1, Sam Tornatore (R) and Ashley Selmon (D) were the top vote-getters over Dino Gavanes (R) and Zahra Suratwala (D).
In County Board District #2, Elizabeth Chaplin (D) was re-elected, garnering more than 40% of the vote. The second spot in District #2 went to Pete DiCianni over Steve Nero, who are both Republicans. DiCianni received about 32% of the vote and Nero took just over 26%.
The other County Board Districts were dominated by Democrats in Districts #3, #4, and #5. While Republican Jim Zay was the top vote-getter in District #6, the second spot went to Democrat Sheila Rutledge.
Joe Cantore (R) was re-elected President of the DuPage County Forest Preserve, but it was another close race to watch as he beat Daniel Hebreard (D) 172,966 to 169,485.
People say ‘yes’ to District 205 Referendum
Elmhurst’s eye was on the District 205 Referendum, which had only been placed on the ballot about four to six weeks prior to the Election. In the end, more than 62% of Elmhurst voters chose to support a property tax increase to provide $186 million to rebuild, renovate and redesign several schools within District 205.
County, Township propositions
The three propositions placed on the ballot by DuPage County received resounding ‘Yes’ votes, although they were advisory only (which means voters provided their opinion on the issues, but did not vote them into law). Area residents voted that the County Board should: 1) oppose a property tax increase to help retire the state debt; 2) oppose a mileage tax; and, 3) continue to reduce and consolidate redundant units of government.
In Addison Township, the Proposition Representation Aviation and the Homestead Exemption Proposition both were both approved by 92% and 86% of the vote, respectively.
York Township had a question on the ballot about supporting initiatives to address climate change, which resulted in 75% of voters saying ‘Yes.’
[* At press time, all results were unofficial.]
