Letters to the Editor

Letter to the Editor: Voting in Primaries is Crucial

Cook County Commissioner Liz Doody Gorman writes about the importance of voting in local elections.

“Decisions are made by those who show up.” Our right to vote is the most fundamental right we have as citizens. The right to elect those who will lead us and the right to remove those from office when they forget what they were sent to do should be viewed not only as a right but as a duty for good citizens. Elections are the cornerstone of our freedoms and liberties. In 2012 we will be electing people to serve us at every level of government – state representatives and senators,certain countywide officials, Members of Congress and the President of the United States. Each of these have the potential to affect the most important issues facing each and every citizen this year such as the economy, health care, immigration and gun control, just…

• Photos (1)

Mail Voting in Presidential Primary Now Available to All Illinois Voters

For the first time in a presidential primary election, all voters in Illinois may request a mail ballot to cast their vote, Cook County Clerk David Orr announced Thursday.

For the first time in a presidential primary election, all Illinois votes may cast their vote by mail, Cook County Clerk David Orr announced Thursday. "In the past, you needed an absentee excuse to vote by mail," Orr said. "All voters are now eligible for a mail ballot, bringing one more convenient option for participating in the democratic process." Mail ballot applications are now being accepted for the March 20 primary. Cook County voters can download an application at www.cookcountyclerk.com, request an application by calling 312-603-0946, or pick one up at any of the clerk's six offices. The last day to request a ballot is March 15.  Applications are available in English, Spanish, Hindi and Chinese. Applications must be delivered to …

• Photos (1)

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)

Unofficial Write-in Results Indicate Hughes Won't Retain Seat

Current Board Member Janet Hughes has served on the District 113A Board since 2009.

Unofficial results released Wednesday afternoon by Cook County Clerk David Orr indicate write-in candidate Janet Hughes will not retain her seat on the Lemont-Bromberek Combined School District 113A Board of Education. There were a total of 1,115 write-in votes cast in the District 113A race, where Hughes, was the only write-in candidate. Results from Cook and DuPage counties give candidate Al Malley 2,353 votes, which puts him in position to win the fourth open seat. Hughes would need 1,239 votes to surpass Malley, and only 868 ballots were cast in DuPage County. In a phone interview Wednesday afternoon, Hughes said she was disappointed by the outcome, but grateful for the two years she has served on the District 113A Board. "I wish the …

•  71 Comments
• Photos (1)

Lemont Election Log

Voter Guide: What You Need to Know on Election Day

Lemont Patch provides a quick guide for the April 5 election, from polling places to candidate information.

Well, today's the day. Beginning at 6 a.m. Tuesday, Lemont voters will head to the polls to decide the next four members of the Lemont-Bromberek Combined School District Board of Education, as well as the outcome of the proposed $20 million referendum. Make Patch your Election Day headquarters by checking back throughout the day for updates. I'll be keeping a running blog with photos, interviews with election judges and more. If you're voting today and still need help making a final decision, check out our 2011 Election Central. We've also put together this quick guide — perfect for a quick review before you head to your local polling place. (We've compiled information on those, too!) The election takes place Tuesday, April 5. Polls open …

• Photos (1)

Lemont Election Log

Lemont Voter Guide: Where to Go on Election Day

Lemont Patch provides addresses and additional resources for the April 5 election.

The election takes place Tuesday, April 5. Polls open at 6 a.m. and close at 7 p.m. Your polling place depends on which precinct you live in. To find your polling place, visit the Cook County Clerk's website. Polling places can change last minute. You can also refer to the precinct map to the right.  If you know your precinct, we've put together a list of polling places you can refer to: Lemont Township 9, 11, 13: Centennial Community Center, 16058 W. 127th St. Lemont Township 6: Lemont Township, 1115 Warner Ave. Lemont Township 4, 5: Lemont High School, 800 Porter St. Lemont Township 3, 14: Lithuanian World Center, 14911 127th St. Lemont Township 2: Our Lady of Victory Convent, 11400 Theresa Dr. Lemont Township 1, 12: Slovenian Cultural …

• Documents (1)

Lemont Election Log

Lemont Library's Early Voter Turnout Ranks Third in Suburban Cook County

The Lemont Public Library held its standing as the one of the busiest early voting locations among suburban Cook County sites with contested races.

With a referendum at stake, the Lemont Public Library held its standing as the third busiest for early voting among suburban Cook County sites with contested races. Early Voting ended Thursday with robust turnout as 3,550 suburban Cook County voters cast ballots, Cook County Clerk David Orr said. More than 10,000 voters participated since Monday, or 38 percent of nearly 27,000 ballots cast since Early Voting began March 14. “Judging by Early Voting turnout, it's clear there are some hot races in this election," Orr said. "The areas with the heaviest turnout were clearly those with a contested race, such as Chicago Heights, or those with a tax increase referendum, such as Wilmette and Lemont." The unofficial Early Voting total for Lemont …

• Photos (1)
• Documents (1)

Lemont Village Officials to Consider Tax Levy Increase

The Lemont Board of Trustees will vote Monday night on a proposed $2,650,443 levy for 2010 – up $122,521 from last year.

Lemont officials will vote Monday night on a proposed 4.8-percent increase on this year's property tax levy. The village will hold a public hearing on the levy during its regular meeting of the Board of Trustees, who are then expected to vote to approve Lemont's tax levy for 2010, said Village Administrator Ben Wehmeier. According to the board's agenda, the village is seeking to levy $2,650,443 for 2010 – up $122,521 from the 2009 levy. Part of the increase accounts for the 2.7-percent increase in the Consumer Price Index (CPI), while the other 2.1 percent will capture growth from new building and development, Wehmeier said. Under the Property Tax Exemption Limitation Law – more commonly known as the tax cap – districts can only …

• Photos (1)

Superintendent: Dist. 113A Moving Forward With Financial Plan After Referendum Loss

Following Tuesday's results, the Board of Education for Lemont-Bromberek Combined School District 113A will consider another $670,000 in cuts next year.

It was business as usual in Lemont-Bromberek Combined School District 113A following the rejection of a proposed $8 million referendum in Tuesday's election. "We're extremely disappointed, but obviously it wasn't a huge surprise," District 113A Superintendent Tim Ricker said in a phone interview Wednesday. "The kids are still here in school—that doesn't stop." The district asked voters Tuesday to approve the issuance of bonds to support its working cash fund, which is used to meet monthly financial obligations. Across 17 precincts in Cook and DuPage counties, the measure was shot down by 56.8 percent of voters. Moving forward, Ricker said the district and its Board of Education will continue following the amended financial plan submitted…

•  4 Comments
• Photos (1)

Dist. 113A Political Group Reacts to 'Devastating' Referendum Loss

Citizens for 113A members expressed anger and frustration of the rejection of an $8 million referendum for Lemont-Bromberek Combined School District 113A.

It was a somber evening at This Must Be the Place on Tuesday as parents and staff from Lemont-Bromberek Combined School District 113A learned a proposed referendum was rejected once again by Lemont voters. With all 14 Lemont Township precincts reporting in Cook County, about 58 percent (4,351) voted against the referendum, while about 42 percent (3,208) voted in favor, according to unofficial results from the  Cook County Clerk David Orr's office. In DuPage County, where three precincts voted, the referendum was shot down 733 votes (about 52 percent) to 664 votes (about 48 percent), according to unofficial results from the DuPage County Election Commission. Parents and community members from the political group Citizens for 113A …

•  2 Comments
• Photos (1)