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Elections

Monday, April 22, 2013

Should 17-Year-Olds be Allowed to Vote?

The Illinois House voted in favor of a bill presented by Rep. Carol Sente of Vernon Hills to allow 17-year-olds the right to vote in primary elections. The Illinois Senate had its first reading of the bill Thursday.

A bill proposed by State Rep. Carol Sente (D-Vernon Hills) that would allow 17-year-olds the right to vote in primary elections if they will be 18 by the next general election cleared the House Wednesday, reported the Daily Herald. The House voted 95-22 in favor of House Bill 226. The Senate had its first reading Thursday. On her website, Sente states that a group of students from a political science program at Stevenson High School advocated for this initiative for several years, beginning with her predecessor Kathy Ryg. "Over the next few weeks, myself and Rep. Ed Sullivan (R-Mundelein) are planning to speak to students to get them involved in all aspects of passing this bill," stated Sente. "I am hopeful that through our bi-partisan …

Kelly K

5:32 pm on Monday, April 22, 2013

I'm so glad to hear our local Illinois government is putting aside such issues as pension reform, unemployment and the economic crisis to vote on such trifles as this. Boy that really makes me feel so good about where my tax $$ are being spent! Where can I sign up for more of this nonsense and waste?   more ›

Wednesday, April 10, 2013

ELECTION: Voter Turnout in Cook County, Area Counties

Area voters reported little to no wait at polling places during Tuesday's local election.

On Tuesday, 18.8 percent of voters made it out to the polls in suburban Cook County to vote in this year's local election, according to the Cook County Clerk's website.  While the turnout was higher than other area counties, it was an average turnout for a local election in Cook County. Since 2005, turnout in Cook County has ranged from as low as 16.7 percent of voters casting their ballot in 2011 to as high as 27 percent voting in 2005.  Comparably speaking, during last fall's presidential election, 70.7 percent of registered voters made it to the polls in suburban Cook County.  Cook County voters reported little to no wait at the polls on Tuesday.  "At 4:30, there were 110 votes cast in District 2. No lines at that point," according to a…

Ed RIchter

9:01 am on Friday, April 12, 2013

On a local basis this election has more impact on the area homeowner that the Presidential Election yet draws fewer attention and voters. For the people that complain about their real estate taxes, this is the place to start. The taxes levied by the school districts is the largest portion of your real estate tax bill and this election is where those board members who approve the spending are …   more ›

Tuesday, April 9, 2013

District 211 School Board Election Results

Check back throughout the night for election results for the District 211 school board.

Updated 11:37 p.m. In unofficial returns Anna Klimkowicz and Mike Scharringhausen appeared to have two D-211 school board seats locked up. Both candidates were over 6,000 votes with 144 of 149 precincts reporting. For the third seat, current school board president Robert LeFevre had a strong lead with 5,210 votes to 4,655 for fellow incumbent Edward Yung. Roman Golash was fifth with 4,134 votes. Updated 8:22 p.m. Anna Klimkowicz is the top vote getter in the field with more than 6,000 votes. With 131 of 149 precincts reporting it looks like newcomer Mike Scharringhausen and incumbent Robert LeFevre will win the other two seats. Updated 7:57 p.m. Roman Golash is a distant fifth. Right now it looks like Klimkowicz and Scharringhausen will be…

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Erica Blair

8:42 pm on Sunday, April 14, 2013

Why r u trying to push the LOSER candidate's views, a 5th place finisher? Roman LOST, badly. Move on. Go shine Joe Walsh's shoes or something. Amen.   more ›

Palatine Election Central 2013

Results for the April 9 Consolidated Election for seats on the District 15 and District 211 school boards, Palatine Park District board and Palatine Township board.

You can see suburban Cook County unofficial results for this election as they come in by clicking on the links below. Official precinct results will be available April 10.  The District 15 school board race has been a contentious one. Issues relating to the school district considering outsourcing bus services, and deciding whether to instate late start or early release have polarized District 15 residents and resulted in hundreds of comments on Palatine Patch.  The race for District 211 school board also has provoked intense conversation on Palatine Patch. Hefty pensions and teacher salaries, and communication with District 211 residents have been brought to the forefront in more than 220 comments.  Comments about the Palatine Park …

Taraxias

3:59 am on Wednesday, April 10, 2013

The Patch is as balanced as it gets. A far better source for local information than other available sources.   more ›

District 15 School Board Election Results

With 76 of 76 precincts reporting, candidates Peggy Babcock, Richard Bokor, David Seiffert and James Ekeberg won the four seats on the District 15 school board.

It was a contentious election with many issues debated here on Palatine Patch, including the ongoing issue of outsourcing bus services at District 15, and the looming choice between Late Start/Early Release to allow for teacher development time.  In order: Peggy Babcock was the top vote getter, followed by David Seiffert, also an incumbent, and James Ekeberg, who previously served on the D15 school board. Incumbent Richard Bokor was able to pull out a win and came in fourth place.  It is notable that newcomer Matthew Lyons was a mere 160 votes behind Bokor. Lyons ran on the 1-2-3 ticket with Jennifer Zold and Donna Johnson. Each school board member will be elected to a four year term.  For more information visit our Palatine General …

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Stephen Bramer

11:26 am on Friday, April 12, 2013

and they had a lot of demonstrated support. So I think any board member, or other district official, would be ill-advised not to consider their substantial input. When the public debate becomes as polarized as it has been, it's difficult to see any middle ground. But I think there is plenty of it. Everyone in the transportation debates has agreed that education and child safety are paramount. I …   more ›

Monday, April 8, 2013

Where to Vote? Polling Places, Election Information

The local election day will be on Tuesday, April 9.

Several local races will be contested in the election today, including District 15 and District 211 school board, Palatine Park Disrict board and Palatine Township board.  Click here for candidate profiles, community input and other information you can use to make an informed decision when you vote.  For those interested in finding their polling location, the Cook County Election website has information on local polling places.  Check back to Palatine Patch Tuesday night starting at 7 p.m. for real-time election results. You can also follow updates throughout election night on the Palatine Patch Facebook page or by following us on Twitter.  And dont' forget to sign up for the Palatine Patch FREE newsletter. 

Sunday, April 7, 2013

Palatine Election 2013: Latest Letters to the Editor, Local Voices

Click the links below for the latest input from the community on the upcoming election. Candidates are vying for spots on the District 15 and 211 school boards, Palatine Township board and Palatine Park District board.

The community is certainly in engaged in the fast approaching election. Numerous contributions in the way of Letters to the Editor, Local Voices contributions and endorsements have been submitted over the last few weeks.  Click the links below, and see what your neighbors and elected officials are saying - regarding who they think should be elected on Tuesday, April 9.  Local Voices: Park District Candidate Jeff Service Discusses Politics and the Race Letter to the Editor: Resident Supports Bokor, Ekeberg, Babcock and Seiffert Letter to the Editor: Vote for Ramnath Cidambi! Letter to the Editor: Vote for D15 School Board Candidates with Backbone Letter to the Editor: D15 School Board, Voting 1-2-3 is Your Best Option Local Voices: Zold …

Taraxias

3:06 pm on Sunday, April 7, 2013

Both Roman Golash and Mike Scharringhausen are terrific candidates. I've met both. Roman Golash served our country with distinction and achieve the rank of Colonel! Both Mike and Roman are heavily involved in their community and are committed to improve D211 !! Please vote out the incumbents. They've wasted enough of our money already.   more ›

Thursday, April 4, 2013

Palatine Election 2013: Local Voices, Letters to the Editor

There has been a strong amount of input from Palatine Patch readers on the upcoming election. Click the links below to hear from your neighbors on who they think should win and why.

Tuesday, April 9, Palatine voters will be given the opportunity to choose who leads District 15, Disrict 211, Palatine Township, Palatine Park District and the Palatine Public Library Board.  Click on the links below to learn what Palatine Patch readers think, through our Local Voices section and Letters to the Editor.  District 15 Palatine Township Profiles of all Candidates Make your vote count. Early voting ends Saturday, April 6. Tuesday, April 9 is the Consolidated Election date. For more information, visit the Cook County Clerk website. 

Wednesday, April 3, 2013

Uncontested Races Means Property Tax Policy Change Unlikely

The Daily Herald reports that 63.6 percent of Cook County's local races in Tuesday's election are uncontested.

While lowering property taxes may ranks high on many local residents wish list, a low number of contested races in the upcoming local election could mean that such policy changes are unlikely, according to the Daily Herald.  The Daily Herald reports 60 percent of the 2,100-plus local races in Cook, McHenry, Kane, DuPage and Lake counties are uncontested going into Tuesday's election. In Cook County, 63.6 percent of the races are uncontested, according to a Daily Herald graphic. Read more in today's Daily Herald article.

District 15 Candidates Forum Held by Northwest Suburban Council PTA/PTSA

All nine candidates for the District 15 school board attended the forum, along with more than 100 people in the audience.

The nine candidates for the District 15 school board participated in a candidate forum presented by the Northwest Suburban Council PTA/PTSA Tuesday night at Sundling Jr. High School. Questions posed to all the candidates included what their stance is on Late Start/Early Release, outsourcing of bus services, class size and communication efforts by the school district, among others.   Late Start/Early Release Donna Johnson said she supports Friday early release; stating it makes the most sense due to it being the least productive learning time for kids. She also cited safety concerns for her reasoning, because working parents would more likely be able to be home so children aren’t alone on a Friday afternoon. Abdul Javid also said he …

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Stephen Bramer

10:16 pm on Monday, April 22, 2013

I'm pretty sure that when I talk about your lack of perspicacity, acumen and veracity - that's fairly union agnostic.   more ›

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