Electric aggregation referendum fails

ELMWOOD PARK — Voters in Elmwood Park appear to have again turned back a referendum concerning electrical aggregation.

With 15 of 15 precincts reporting, 3,275 people supported aggregation, while 3,613 were against, according to unofficial results from the Cook County Clerk’s Office.

Elmwood Park Village …

Quigley commands in 5th Congressional

CHICAGO — Incumbent Mike Quigley retained a large lead over challengers Dan Schmidt and Nancy Wade Tuesday night for the 5th Congressional District.

With 577 of 586 precincts reporting, Quigley had 168,052 votes, Schmidt 73,553 and Wade 14,501, according to unofficial election results.

If Quigley …

County commissioners give preliminary OK to new district map

A proposed map redrawing boundaries for the Cook County Board of Commissioners districts received overwhelming preliminary approval Friday. Fifteen of the 17 commissioners signed off on the plan, which is slated for a final vote Tuesday. The lone dissenting vote came from Commissioner Earlean Collins …

Preckwinkle offering rewards for wellness to Cook County workers

Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle announced a “worksite wellness” program last week in hopes of steering county government employees away from the emergency room and toward the salad bar and gym.From free massages to music downloads, the county is using prizes to lure the …

Lilly landslide in 78th state rep race

Incumbent Camille Lilly cruised to reelection against challenger Michael Nardello in the 78th District state representative race. Unofficial vote totals said she took more than 77 percent of the vote: Lilly 5,558; Nardello, 1,654 (with 54 of 55 precincts reporting as of press time). Nardello …

GOP leader endorses Democrat in primary

Democrat Emanuel “Chris” Welch got an unusual endorsement last week for his state representative bid: It came from a Republican. Illinois State Rep. Angelo “Skip” Saviano, R-77th, of Elmwood Park, isn’t just any Republican. Besides being Republican State Central 5th District committeeman, Saviano is also …

Welch campaign invoking Obama name

A U.S. president usually doesn’t endorse a state rep candidate in a primary election. But that doesn’t prevent some candidates from trying to ride on the president’s coattails.

Obama-Welch campaign signs are promoting Barack Obama running for president and Emanuel “Chris” Welch running for state …

Proviso politician secures jobs, raises for friends, family

With statements like “Make it happen. I need her to be hired,” Emanuel “Chris” Welch has kept at least 19 close friends and relatives in good-paying jobs at Proviso High School District 209 where he is school board president. Most noteworthy is Welch’s brother, Billy …

Welch’s libel settlement delayed

While Emanuel “Chris” Welch is negotiating a settlement for defaming a well-known Chicago lawfirm, a court hearing revealed a law clerk was not involved in the libelous blog post. Welch, an attorney, is Proviso High School District 209 board president and is running for state …

Friends, family give back to Welch with cash, campaigning

Thirteen friends and family members are giving back to Emanuel “Chris” Welch by contributing to his campaign funds, directly campaigning or circulating petitions for his bid for state representative. The political contributors all work for Proviso High School District 209 where Welch, as school board …

78th District candidates set priorities at Oak Park forum

Camille Lilly and Michael Nardello, candidates for the 78th District state representative seat, spoke at the Oak Park and River Forest League of Women Voters candidate fair Saturday at the Dole Library in Oak Park. The event allowed just five minutes per candidate to outline …

Lilly goes door-to-door in new district

State Rep. Camille Lilly has been hitting the streets to get to know her constituents, old and new. On Feb. 24 she trudged through the snow on 900 and 1000 block of North Oak Park Avenue in Oak Park, knocking on doors. Since fall, she’s …

League to host two candidate fairs

The League of Women Voters of Oak Park and River Forest will host two upcoming events for the public to meet local candidates in the run up to the primary election on March 20. The first event is a Candidates Fair and Judicial Presentation to …

Candidate Nardello introduces himself in town hall meeting

Michael Nardello, who is vying for the 78th District’s state representative seat in March, had his first in a series of town hall meetings on Feb. 16. The meeting took place at Royal Gardens, 2515 N. Harlem Ave., which is in Chicago’s Mont Clare neighborhood …

Direct access to physical therapists being sought

State Rep. Angelo (Skip) Saviano (R-77th) has introduced legislation amending the Illinois Physical Therapy Act that will allow health care consumers in Illinois to have direct access to physical therapist services. Under current law, a physician referral is required before a person can be treated …