Election 2012: Incumbents Hold on to Will County Seats

How Will County voted for county board seats, county positions and state and national races.

Circuit Clerk: Incumbent and Democrat Pam McGuire was re-elected, taking in 139,036 votes. Her opponent, Republican Marlene Carlson received 101,947 votes.  Recorder of Deeds: It was a close race all night for this county position. Republican challenger Laurie McPhillips held the position before current Recorder Karen A. Stukel. Stukel, a Democrat, was re-elected with 125,140 votes. McPhillips earned 114,912 votes.  Auditor: This one was also close. Incumbent and Democrat Duffy Blackburn was narrowly re-elected over Republican challenger Mark Batinick. Blackburn had 120,684 votes; Batinick received 113,414 votes.  Coroner: In one of the most commanding leads of a county seat, incumbent and Democrat Patrick K. O'Neil led Republican …

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GOP Candidates Talk Taxes in Plainfield

Republicans warn of “January surprise” if Gov. Pat Quinn pushes his pension cost shift plan through.

Republican candidates staged a press conference in Plainfield Thursday afternoon to voice their opposition to property tax increases and a plan by Gov. Pat Quinn to shift teacher pension costs to local school districts. State Sen. Republican Leader Christine Radogno (R-Lemont) and House Republican Leader Tom Cross (R-Oswego) joined candidates Garrett Peck and Bob Kalnicky at the Plainfield home of Vicki and Ernie Knight. In a press release, the candidates said Quinn’s proposal will mean higher local property taxes by shifting the state’s estimated $44 billion teachers pension burden onto school districts. “Everyone has begun to recognize — finally — that Illinois has the worst-funded pension retirement system in the country and a …

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Ernie Knight

2:49 pm on Tuesday, October 30, 2012

Ron, The people that I care about already know the answer to your inquiry. Alas, you are not part of that group. By independent inquiry I suggest you investigate and you will likely discover all those things.   more ›

Patch on Politics

State House: Endorsements with a Chuckle and a Shake of the Head

The Tribune dislikes Madigan, and splits its endorsements in the Southland's State House races. Hurley, Burke, Alm and Kalnicky are endorsed.

The editorial board of the Chicago Tribune prefers Democrats in the House districts serving the Chicago Southland and Republicans in the districts serving Will County. And in the 22nd District — a democracy-free zone and the stomping ground of House Speaker Michael Madigan — they see nothing to like. Why? For one, Mike Madigan's Republican opponent is a longtime Democrat. Never mind what his name is. It doesn't matter. In the 35th, the Trib endorses Fran Hurley, a 19th Ward cutout who worked for Ginger Rugai and Matt O'Shea, over Republican Ricardo Fernandez, of Orland Park, a physical therapist with a doctorate who's taught full time at Northwestern University and Governors State University. When Patch asked Fernandez what sets him apart …

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Dean Casper

3:09 am on Wednesday, November 7, 2012

Great observation on the Trib. They talk a good game about reform, but then endorse the enablers from both parties that allow the corruption and incompetence to continue. Why would anyone who is interested in good government and want Madigan's 42 year reign to end want Hurley elected? Madigan attempted to prevent Hurley from even having an opponent, and has been working for the Machine her entire…   more ›

CSC Plans Summer Wine Tasting Fundraiser

Aug. 27 event will benefit outreach efforts in Romeoville, Bolingbrook, Plainfield and other northern Will County communities.

Whether you’re a connoisseur or you just like to sip the occasional glass of wine, the Community Service Council (CSC) of Northern Will County has just the event for you. The organization is gearing up to host its second Summer Wine Tasting event, slated for 6 to 9 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 27. The vino will come courtesy of WineStyles Bolingbrook, which partnered with the CSC last year to host the inaugural tasting. “It was something we came up with last year to get away from golf outings and the normal type of fundraiser,” said CSC Executive Director Bob Kalnicky, who is opening up his home, 1453 Somerfield Drive in Bolingbrook, for the benefit. Last year’s fete drew about 35 guests, and organizers are hoping for an even bigger turnout this …

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