* The Tribune has a good story today on why Ald. Dorothy Tillman lost. A few highlights…

While she acknowledged the much-discussed opposition from unions, the alderman best known for her civil rights credentials and her array of hats put more emphasis on the ways in which her core constituency had been whittled away, saying the people who replaced them did not understand her legacy. […]

A remapping in 2001 brought Hispanic voters from the Back of the Yards and whites in the trendy South Loop into Tillman’s 3rd Ward. […]

“Tillman has been a figure in the community, but unfortunately a lot of times we look at the figure and not whether the issues are being addressed,” said Moore, a writer. “I’m of the generation and mind-set of getting and wanting more.” […]

McCain said when she opened last July, she went to Tillman’s office several times to introduce herself and express concerns about drug activity near her business. But she could never reach Tillman.

It would’ve been nice, however, if the Trib had written a story like this before the election. Too often in Chicago aldermanic elections (and legislative races and county board contests), voters are left to fend for themselves, without any help from the media.

* Memo to candidates: If you can’t take the heat of an intense campaign, don’t run. And, for crying out loud, don’t file lawsuits after the fact over goofy stuff like this…

Unsuccessful Springfield Ward 8 aldermanic candidate George Petrilli has sued his opponent, Kris Theilen, former state treasurer Judy Baar Topinka and the Sangamon County Republican Central Committee over campaign literature distributed by the Theilen campaign.

The suit claims they defamed Petrilli when they referred to him in the literature as a “video stalker.” […]

Petrilli once videotaped a Peoria appearance by Topinka, the 2006 Republican candidate for governor, for the campaign of Democratic Gov. Rod Blagojevich. Petrilli has claimed he did the taping only as a favor to a roommate who worked for Blagojevich.

The taping was the basis for the “video stalker” characterization, which was contained in a letter from Topinka to Ward 8 voters in which Topinka endorsed Theilen.

Look… nobody likes to be called a “video stalker.” And I’m not gonna defend the attack, which was obviously over the top. But them’s the breaks. Get over yourself.

* Perhaps the AP should refrain from political analysis. Get a load of this lede…

Sheila Simon never wanted her famous surname to influence whether people voted for her as mayor of the southern Illinois town of Carbondale.

Please.

And check this one out…

Cole insisted that, despite being the incumbent, he went into the race as an underdog because of the Simon name and her support from political heavyweights, including Illinois senator and Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama, who taped a television campaign spot for Simon.

Once again, no mention that Cole had bigtime monetary and staff backing from the Illinois GOP, House Republican Leader Tom Cross, and even Denny Hastert.

* More campaign reports, compiled by “C” (aka Paul Richardson)…

* Mark Brown: Campaign Managers earn props

* Cook Co. Clerk David Orr: ‘Voting went well’

* Rep. Jackson: ‘The bullies have left the Council”

* Labor a big winner, vows to stick around

* John Kass: Garbage the next thing Daley trashes

* Despite final count, controversy in city races

* Tribune Editorial: Meet the nine new City Council faces

* Tillman ousted after 23 years in office

* Chandler is officially the 8th alderman to be voted out

* Country Club Hills mayor denies remark had racial tones

* Voters decide various mayoral races, bond issues

* Phil Kadner: Harvey Mayor Kellogg can claim victory with 12% support

* Voters have say in school funding in suburban communities

* Voter turnout numbers vary across city and suburbs

* One vote turns a dry village into a wet one

* Bernard Schoenberg: On Davlin win and other Springfield election news

*** UPDATE *** Aldertrack has the transcript from yesterday’s Chicago Tonight interview of the newly elected aldermen. Check it out.

Carol Marin: Let’s talk about the mayor. Has anybody heard from the mayor today to congratulate you on your victory?

Guests: No

Scott Waguespack: I heard from the Mayor’s Office.

Carol Marin: The Mayor’s Office, and what did they say?

Scott Waguespack: Just to set up a meeting to talk about how services work in the city, so that we know a little bit better how we’re going to have to work together to get things done in the ward.

Carol Marin: Any of the rest of you heard from the Mayor’s Office?

Pat Dowell: I haven’t heard directly from the mayor, but I did speak to a representative from his intergovernmental affairs office and the same meeting that Scott’s talking about I will be organizing a meeting for the ward.

Carol Marin: Ms. Dixon?

Sharon Denise Dixon: No, I have not.

Bob Fioretti: Same thing.

Carol Marin: You have not?

Bob Fioretti: No, we have heard.

Carol Marin: You have?

Bob Fioretti: Yes.

*** UPDATE 2 *** Dave Fako’s polling firm looks like it has had a pretty darned good year so far.

*** UPDATE 3 *** This morning’s Eight Forty-Eight program includes a roundtable of journalists discussing the Chicago elections…

[audio:848_20070418.mp3]

[The speculation by one panelist that Ald. Joe Moore could be the leader of the city council’s independent bloc made me laugh out loud.]