PHOTO: High-Ranking Republicans Visit Lemont for Illinois Straw Poll

U.S. Rep. Mark Kirk, Congresswoman Judy Biggert, and Illinois Senate Minority Leader Christine Radogno were among the many elected officials who visited the Lemont Township Community Center on Saturday.

Several of Illinois' most influential Republicans gathered at the Lemont Township Community Center on Saturday to show support for the state's first presidential straw poll. Guests included U.S. Sen. Mark Kirk, Congresswoman Judy Biggert, State Senate Minority Leader Christine Radogno, Asst. House Republican Leader Jim Durkin, Cook County Commissioner Liz Gorman and Illinois GOP Chairman Pat Brady. Also in attendance were Cook County GOP Chairman Sig Vaznelis, Lemont Township Supervisor Steve Rosendahl and Lemont Trustee Paul Chialdikas. "It's extremely exciting that Lemont has the opportunity to host something like this. It's not often that we have this many elected officials in Lemont at one time," Vaznelis told Patch last week. U.S. …

• Photos (2)

Illinois GOP Holds First Online Straw Poll

Area Republicans and elected officials will be on hand Saturday for in-person voting at the Lemont Township Community Center.

With the early stages of the 2012 presidential election already unfolding in the nation's primary states, Illinois Republicans are hoping to make an impact of their own. The Illinois GOP launched its first ever online straw poll Oct. 29 to give voters an opportunity to let their voices be heard prior to the presidential primary in March. Through 7 p.m. Saturday, Illinois residents can cast their vote on the straw poll website — after making a $5 contribution. "This poll is really an opportunity for Illinois voters to have a voice in this presidential election, which is great because there's a lot of interest and excitement right now both nationally and locally," said Sig Vaznelis, chairman of the Cook County Republican Party. For those who…

• Photos (1)

Sig Vaznelis Chosen as New Cook County Republican Chairman

The current Lemont Township GOP committeeman was elected during a special meeting Thursday night.

Lemont Township Highway Commissioner Sigitas "Sig" Vaznelis was elected Thursday night as the new chairman of the Cook County Republican Party. During a special meeting in Chicago's Greektown neighborhood, Vaznelis, the current Lemont Township GOP committeeman, was chosen to replace Lee Roupas, who stepped down last month to focus on his new position as a DuPage County assistant state's attorney. He will serve out the remainder of Roupas' two-year term, which expires in April 2012. In becoming the new chairman, Vaznelis beat out Wheeling Township Trustee Ruth O'Connell and Palatine Township's Aaron Del Mar, who stepped down at the last minute to support Vaznelis. The Daily Herald reports that Vaznelis was also backed by committeemen from …

• Photos (1)

Five Things You Need to Know Today

Aug. 2: Farmers Market, Library Picnic, Lemont GOP Meeting

Five things every Lemonter should know Tuesday.

The weekly Lemont Farmers Market continues today in the Talcott Square parking lot. The market runs from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. CLICK HERE for more information, including a complete list of vendors. The Lemont Public Library, 50 E. Wend St., is hosting a picnic at 5 p.m. Tuesday to mark the end of its summer reading program, A Midsummer Knight's Read. The event is sponsored by MB Financial and will include entertainment from Questor the Jester. For more information, call 630-257-6541. The Lemont Township Republican Party is hosting a meeting from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. Tuesday at the Lemont Township Community Center, 16300 Alba St. The group will discuss dates for upcoming meetings, procedures for appointing precinct captains, the 2012 presidential …

• Photos (1)