WEDNESDAY
No v emb er 5, 2 014 • $1 .0 0
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Huskies to play Ball State in televised MAC showcase game/ B1 HIGH
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DeKALB COUNTY BOARD
Dems capture board majority Tipped control for first time since 2006
ELECTION RESULTS FEDERAL UNITED STATES SENATE
James Oberweis (R) Richard Durbin (D)*3 Sharon Hansen (L) Adam Kinzinger (R)* 3 Randall Olsen (D)
16TH DISTRICT U.S. REPRESENTATIVE
By KATIE DAHLSTROM
Randy Hultgren (R)* 3 Dennis Anderson (D)
kdahlstrom@shawmedia.com SYCAMORE – Democrats will control the DeKalb County Board for the first time since 2006 after winning the two seats they needed in Tuesday’s contested races to gain a 13-11 edge. It’s unclear what – if any – affect the Democratic control will have over county business, said Mark Pietrowski, District 3 County Board member and chairman of the DeKalb County Democrats. “We’re going to continue working with Republicans as we have with a 12-12 split,” Pietrowski said. “I think we can move DeKalb County forward.” Republicans needed to sweep the six contested races Tuesday to gain an edge over Democrats. Meanwhile, Democrats only needed to win two contested seats. The county board has been split since each party earned 12 seats in 2012. Heading into Tuesday’s election, Democrats were guaranteed 11 seats while Republicans had secured seven. Voter turnout in DeKalb County almost reached 49 percent, with 28,389 of the 58,482 registered voters casting ballots, according to unofficial results. According to unofficial vote counts, Democrat Joseph Bassett won in District 4 and Jim Luebke won in District 9. The newly elected board members face several challenges, including the expansion of the DeKalb County jail, evaluating the county’s spending and finalizing an application for a proposed enterprise zone. Luebke said that in addition to the
14TH DISTRICT U.S. REPRESENTATIVE
STATE
Bruce Rauner (R) 3 Pat Quinn (D)* Chad Grimm (L) GOVERNOR
ATTORNEY GENERAL
Paul Schimpf (R) Lisa Madigan (D)* 3 Ben Koyl (L) LOCAL Danielle Guerra – dguerra@shawmedia.com
Mark Pietrowski, chairman of the DeKalb County Democrats, stands on a chair announcing the early winners and rallying the democrats to increase voting at an election night party Tuesday at Fatty’s in DeKalb. budget, he said he would like to look at repaving the Peace Road bike trail as he begins his first term serving DeKalb County residents. A political newcomer, Luebke said he was happy to win Tuesday, but was more focused on the Democrats having a slight edge over Republicans. “It’s too early to say how the majority will affect things,” Luebke said. “We will see when we get there.” In Tuesday’s uncontested races, Republicans Daniel Cribben, District 11; and John Frieders, District 12, along with Democrats Stephen Reid, District 5; Bob Brown, District 6; Marjorie Askins, District 7; and Frank O’Barski, District 10 faced no
challengers, gaining four-year terms. Meanwhile, Democrat Sandra Polanco was unopposed to fill a two-year unexpired term in District 5. The night wasn’t a total loss for Republicans, who claimed four of the six contested races. Kevin Bunge won in District 1, Maureen Little took District 2, Riley Oncken claimed District 3 and Dianne Leifheit earned District 8. Oncken said the said board members will focus on the budget. He did not expect the Democrat control to create conflict. “Time will tell,” Oncken said, “but I have built strong relationships with Republicans and Democrats, and I
anticipate we will continue to work together.” Steve Kuhn, chairman of the DeKalb County Republicans, was disappointed at Tuesday’s results, though he was not entirely surprised. “It’s nothing we can’t work with,” Kuhn said. “It’s a position we’ve been in before and everyone on the board seems to work well together.” Along with the change in the board’s makeup, the election could also mean board Chairman Jeff Metzger loses his leadership role. Pietrowski said in the coming days members of both parties will meet to discuss who to nominate for chairman for the next two years.
ILLINOIS GOVERNOR
Kevin Bunge (R) 3 Joanne Pickering (D)
DeKALB COUNTY BOARD DISTRICT 1
Maureen Little (R) 3 John R. Noyes (D)
DeKALB COUNTY BOARD DISTRICT 2
Riley Oncken (R) 3 Joshua Orr (D)
DeKALB COUNTY BOARD DISTRICT 3
DeKALB COUNTY BOARD DISTRICT 4
Anthony Cvek (R)* Joseph Bassett (D) 3 Dianne Leifheit (R) 3 Christopher Porterfield (D) DeKALB COUNTY BOARD DISTRICT 8
Rauner captures tight race for governor
DeKALB COUNTY BOARD DISTRICT 9
Craig Genteman (R) Jim Luebke (D) 3
VOICE YOUR OPINION
The ASSOCIATED PRESS CHICAGO – Republican businessman Bruce Rauner defeated Pat Quinn in a tight race Tuesday, as the GOP broke the Democrats’ lock on Illinois governor’s mansion. Rauner and Quinn were running neck-and-neck with more than half of precincts reporting, and one of the nation’s most competitive and costly races. Combined, the candidates have spent about $100 million, with much of the money flooding TV and radio with a record number of campaign ads. Preliminary results of an exit poll conducted for The Associated Press and television networks showed Quinn was getting support from Chicago, people earning less than $50,000 a year and those who strongly approved of President Barack Obama’s performance. Rauner was faring well Bruce in Chicago’s collar Rauner counties and central and southern Illinois, and among white voters and those who believe government is doing too many things that should be left to businesses and individuals. Several voters said the most pressing issue was unease about the state’s economy and its financial footing. For others, the choice came down to party loyalty, personality, their stance toward organized labor and which candidate seemed more in touch with
Douglas Johnson (R) 3 Trent Taylor (D)
DeKALB COUNTY CLERK & RECORDER
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REFERENDUM
Yes 3 No
SYCAMORE PARKS RATE INCREASE
Rockford Register Star
Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn speaks to a crowd during a campaign rally Monday at the Chicago Rockford International Airport in Rockford. everyday people. John Ray, a lifelong Democrat and retired union painter from Springfield, said he was so disenchanted with Illinois’ economic course that he made the leap for Rauner, a first-time candidate promising to use his experience as a private equity investor to create jobs and prosperity. “I just wanted to see what the change would be,” said Ray, 73. Others saw the best path as sticking with Quinn, a political veteran who casts himself as an outsider-reformer. Quinn took office during a recession
and inherited a host of problems following the ouster of his now-imprisoned predecessor, Rod Blagojevich. Some voters noted Quinn’s support of unions. Several labor unions worked against Rauner, who’s vowed to take on “government union bosses.” University of Illinois freshman Sarah Blanco said she voted for Quinn because her mother is a teacher. “Unions are very important to me, and Bruce Rauner isn’t very supportive of that,” she said after voting in Urbana. For others, Illinois’ reputation for
cronyism and corruption meant the bar was low, and political fatigue and disillusionment were real. Georgine Pintarich, 86, voted for Rauner in suburban Arlington Heights. “The fact that he hasn’t held office before doesn’t bother me,” she said. “I know one thing: He’s not doing it for the money.” But others weren’t so sure, saying they were comfortable with Quinn and his attention to issues affecting everyday people. “I respect him a little more,” said Rodney Lane, a 41-year-old mechanic from Chicago. Rauner doesn’t “seem genuine to me. To me, it’s just an act with him. With Quinn, he is like one of us, like he likes to work at McDonald’s.” The candidates voted near their homes, with Quinn making a last-minute effort throughout the day with stops at Chicago-area universities and train stations. Rauner spent time with his family and thanked supporters. Officials reported some problems at polling places in Cook and Lake counties, but it was too soon to tell what impact they would have on the election. Lines were long at some locations offering same-day registration, a change lawmakers approved for this election.
FOOD
LOCAL
LOCAL
WHERE IT’S AT
Thanksgiving
Sentencing
Demolition
Pies so good, you may want to skip the turkey altogether / B10
Tyrus Taylor of DeKalb gets 3 months in jail for crash that killed sister / A5
Evergreen Village work pauses for more asbestos testing / A3
Advice ................................ B5 Classified...................... B7-10 Comics ............................... B6 Local News.................... A2-6 Lottery................................ A2 Nation&World...................A6
GENOA TOWNSHIP NEW TAX RATE
Yes No 3 Yes 3 No
GENOA TOWNSHIP MONEY/POLITICS
Yes 3 No
SANDWICH ELECTRIC AGGREGATION
Yes 3 No
FRANKLIN TOWNSHIP ELECTRIC AGG.
Complete primary election coverage begins on page A2. Updated election results, reaction and more on Election Central website at Daily-Chronicle.com.
Obituaries ......................... A5 Opinion...............................A7 Puzzles ............................... B5 Sports..............................B1-4 State ...................................A4 Weather .............................A8