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* The setup…

Steve McMichael got some help from his old coach when Mike Ditka endorsed him for mayor of Romeoville Friday night.

Ditka wasn’t the only Bears legend to give McMichael a boost. Dan Hampton, Gary Fencik and Matt Suhey were there too.

McMichael is challenging incumbent Romeoville Mayor John Noak in the April 9th election.

* The Question: Are you watching any other municipal races? Explain.

The reason I’m asking is that I may poll some local races this month and am curious to see if there are any hotspots beyond what I’m already looking at. Thanks.

posted by Rich Miller
Monday, Mar 18, 13 @ 11:48 am

Comments

Bloomington Mayor. John Hanson v Lex Green v Tari Renner. Haven’t seen any polls. I’d guess Renner is way out front.

Comment by Jeff Trigg Monday, Mar 18, 13 @ 11:57 am
McHenry County College race is interesting.

Comment by Cal Skinner Monday, Mar 18, 13 @ 11:59 am
Over in the People’s Republic of Urbana, Mayor Laurel Prussing is up for re-election. Always fun to watch.

Comment by Arthur Andersen Monday, Mar 18, 13 @ 12:10 pm
Tom Benigno (SOS Jesse White’s COS) running for mayor of Norridge.

Comment by Cardinal fan Monday, Mar 18, 13 @ 12:11 pm
Mayor
Suburban West Chicago
3 candidates–Acting mayor Ruben Pineda, alderman Nicholas Dzierzanowski, and former alderman Wayne Woddoward.
Got mail from Woodward and one of my aldemen dropped by a week ago to tell me how important it is for the city that the acting mayor Pineda gets elected to a full term. First really contested election in this burb in quite a long time.

train111

Comment by train111 Monday, Mar 18, 13 @ 12:11 pm
===Tom Benigno===

He’s already on the list. But thanks.

Comment by Rich Miller Monday, Mar 18, 13 @ 12:12 pm
In other sort-of-Bears news, Casey Urlacher, brother of Brian Urlacher, is running for Mayor of Mettawa, a sleepy town west of Lake Forest, of around 500 people, known mostly for a lot of horses, and a new Costco. Why run for Mayor? No one seems to know. No word yet as to an official endorsement from big brother Brian, but perhaps that’s being planned as a late surprise-not surprise.

The last mayoral race in Mettawa was almost decided by a coin flip until a few late absentee ballots came in a few days after election day.

Even the horses were excited.

Comment by Team America Monday, Mar 18, 13 @ 12:14 pm
Altton mayorial race. Some interesting challenges to the challenger’s petitions and appeals have forced the challenger into a write-in race against the incumbent.

Comment by Riverbender Monday, Mar 18, 13 @ 12:17 pm
I am with Jeff. I think the race for Bloomington mayor should be interesting. I interned with Tari’s campaign in ‘04 for Congress against Jerry Weller. He works 24/7, knows the issues, and would make a great mayor of Bloomington!

Comment by ndaggerscfo Monday, Mar 18, 13 @ 12:20 pm
Oak Lawn:
Dave Heilmann vs. Sandra Bury

Tinley Park:
Ed Zabrocki vs. Steve Eberhardt

Both south suburb races will be interesting to watch. I expect Zabrocki to win by a larger margin than Dave in Oak Lawn…

Comment by Pierce & Pierce Monday, Mar 18, 13 @ 12:20 pm
Des Plaines. Three way in a crazy city. Always fun.

Comment by Empty Chair Monday, Mar 18, 13 @ 12:22 pm
Des Plaines, Streamwood, Park Ridge, Melrose Park, Elmhurst to name a few.

Comment by Suburbs Monday, Mar 18, 13 @ 12:32 pm
Mayor/village president: Dolton, Maywood, Melrose Park

Comment by Carl Nyberg Monday, Mar 18, 13 @ 12:37 pm
Pierce& Pierce

I agree the Oak lawn race is interesting. Lots of problems in that city

Comment by Fed up Monday, Mar 18, 13 @ 12:38 pm
Not really. But since I live here in Romeoville, I’m paying a lot of attention to this one.

It seems like there are more McMichael signs than Noak. But they’re all the same colors…white background, blue and red lettering. I’ll never understand why McMichael didn’t go orange and blue.

I think he’ll probably win, but I don’t really see why. My experience with mayoral races in small-ish towns is, as long as things aren’t catastrophically bad, it’s hard to oust incumbents. And things are fairly good in Romeoville — new construction, new stores popping up, etc. So from a ‘feel’ standpoint, for me, status quo is all right. But name recognition may just be too great. We’ll see.

I should say, I’ve lived here five years, so I wasn’t really ingrained in the community at the time of the last election. I can’t claim to have a good handle on how things usually are.

Comment by Concerned Observer Monday, Mar 18, 13 @ 12:38 pm
Rockford: incumbent independent Larry Morrissey vs. Democrat Jim Hughes. Morrissey has had some scrapes with organized labor and the Rockford economy is still lousy; a Hughes victory wouldn’t surprise me.

Comment by Robert the Bruce Monday, Mar 18, 13 @ 12:41 pm
Cicero— realy just waiting for the media wizards to admit Blagoof bagman OchoDocho was a bigger hack of unrivaled proportions.
Anyone got littleLouie’s “sample ballot”for his next election gambit?

Comment by CircularFiringSquad Monday, Mar 18, 13 @ 12:47 pm
If signs are any indication Benigno should win in a landslide. I hear a lot of people speaking very highly of Benigno here in Norridge I hope he can back it up.

Comment by regular democrat Monday, Mar 18, 13 @ 12:55 pm
10 candidates, including only 1 incumbent — Robert McCray — are running for 3 Village Trustee vacancies in Park Forest.

Comment by Hans Sannity Monday, Mar 18, 13 @ 1:04 pm
Also watching the Bloomington mayor’s race. Town of Normal will be electing a Mayor and three councilmen. Two candidates running for mayor were at a Tea Party sponsored forum in February but the mayor, Chris Koos, who is running or re-election, did not participate. Koos said he would not participate in partisan-sponsored events.

Comment by Nearly Normal Monday, Mar 18, 13 @ 1:08 pm
Who cares who a bunch of old retired football players endorse for mayor of Romeoville?

Together they know nothing about that town.

Comment by just sayin' Monday, Mar 18, 13 @ 1:13 pm
Geneva’s mayor Kevin Burns (who was trounced by Chris Lauzen for Kane Co. board chairman last year) is being challenged by local tax scold Bob McQuillan. No fireworks yet, but Burns may have been around long enough to lose to an empty chair at this point. Bob’s demeanor and approach to our school district’s financial management in the past few years sometimes had locals (including me) unable to hear the message he and his TaxFacts group were trying to convey. I think it’s a real tossup.

Comment by Lefty Lefty Monday, Mar 18, 13 @ 1:23 pm
Lombard has an open seat for mayor. Three candidates are vying to fill it.

Comment by reformer Monday, Mar 18, 13 @ 1:37 pm
One reason the Bloomington race is interesting is that the county republican party, now populated and controlled by the far right, is trying to install Hanson, seeing Renner as a Dem (which he is.) So this nonpartisan race is becoming distinctly partisan.

And in Normal, the main opponent to incumbent Koos is a locally prominent conspiracy theorist whose letters to the Pantagraph newspaper have dealt with, among other things, his perception that the U.S. and Israeli governments were involved in 9-11. Frightening

Comment by mr. whipple Monday, Mar 18, 13 @ 1:42 pm
Evanston 1st Ward race. Ed Tivador is taking on the incumbent alderwoman. One of the few competitive races up there.

Comment by BucktownDem Monday, Mar 18, 13 @ 1:53 pm
Skip Saviano is heading the powers-that-be slate for village president in Elmwood Park. There’s a full slate running against them, but I don’t know anything about them.

Comment by wordslinger Monday, Mar 18, 13 @ 1:59 pm
Lincolnwood has a very crazy municipal race (President and Trustees); Waukegan will have a very competitive Mayoral race; Skokie has some interesting challengers; Morton Grove has a mildly interest President’s race; Gurnee has pretty competitive Mayoral race; North Chicago has an interesting Mayoral race.

Comment by Just Observing Monday, Mar 18, 13 @ 2:02 pm
Cathy Adducci, River Forest. Al Ronan’s former wife.

Comment by just me Monday, Mar 18, 13 @ 2:02 pm
–Cathy Adducci, River Forest. Al Ronan’s former wife. –

Just Me, thanks. I’ve seen a couple of ads in the paper. The name and face were familiar, but I could not make a connection.

Comment by wordslinger Monday, Mar 18, 13 @ 2:09 pm
The Rockford race includes a Republican as well as Hughes and Morrisey. Since hard R’s and hard D’s break semi even there it might be interesting to watch but is likely to re-elect Morrisey because he has a wad of daddy’s friends money. The Bloomington race could be interesting. In 2009 Mayor Stockton won by 11 votes over Renner with a “conservative” challenger running as well. We could see a similar race here again.

Comment by Greatplainser Monday, Mar 18, 13 @ 2:10 pm
Also Morris:
Kopczick vs. Muffler vs. Brooks

Dick might just hang on because the GOP is divided between Drew and a third candidate, John Brooks…

Comment by Pierce & Pierce Monday, Mar 18, 13 @ 2:10 pm
Pulse: Calling him Out
Mar 18, 2013

Romeoville Mayor John Noak continues to push for a debate with his opponent, former Bears player Steve McMichael.

http://heraldnews.suntimes.com/18878584-417/pulse-calling-him-out.html?print=true

Comment by CFN Monday, Mar 18, 13 @ 2:16 pm
Des Plaines. Young alderman running against a former incumbent and third alderman. Bogusz (young guy) is doing lots of field work, but running against former two term mayor.

Comment by Rambler Monday, Mar 18, 13 @ 2:19 pm
Where’s the northwest Cook crowd?

I suggest Wheeling Township and Arlington Hts. mayor’s race.

Wheeling Township — Dems are fielding a full slate of 8 candidates for the first time in forever. http://Dems4LowerTaxes.com

Would be curious to see data on a race (and a form of govt) that usually flies under the radar.

Arlington Heights mayor — open seat with incumbent mayor stepping down after 20 years

Three candidates include:
- Tom Hayes. Establishment Republican and 20-year incumbent trustee. The “it’s his turn” candidate

- Ron Drake. Recently moved to town in 2007 after being mayor of a Phoenix suburb named Avondale. In 2006 he left that mayorship to run for Congress under GOP flag but got spanked. Tea Party types are glomming on to him.

- Mark Hellner. Running as the moderate/independent and ’smart guy’ in the room.

A gazillion yard signs up for these cats. It’s be fun to see some data on their race.

Comment by G. Willickers Monday, Mar 18, 13 @ 2:22 pm
Des Plaines. Interesting to see if it’s a two-man race or if Walsten has any juice too. Also, really interested in where voters are today with the High School District 113 referendum. Similiar referendum lost by 13 points in 2011 but the bond amount is more thought out this time, and the YES campaign seems better organized

Comment by 'Goose Monday, Mar 18, 13 @ 2:25 pm
Wheeling - Village President Judy Abruscato faces off against former Trustee Patrick Horcher and Trustee Dean Argiris. It is getting heated and mud is starting to sling.

Comment by Rahm's Parking Meter Monday, Mar 18, 13 @ 2:26 pm
For Village President Mike Gibbs vs.Cathy Aducci in River Forest and in Oak Park: John Hedges vs. Anan Abu Taleb…in both cases old guard vs. the new guard…

Comment by Loop Lady Monday, Mar 18, 13 @ 2:33 pm
Blue Island and Crestwood.
Both appear to not have incumbents running for mayor. Both towns have long serving mayors.
It will be interesting to see who replaces them and what the successors do.

Comment by Richard Afflis Monday, Mar 18, 13 @ 2:55 pm
“I think the race for Bloomington mayor should be interesting. I interned with Tari’s campaign in ‘04 for Congress against Jerry Weller. He works 24/7, knows the issues, and would make a great mayor of Bloomington!”

IMO, Renner’s an ideologue. He “knows the issues”, except he really doesn’t. To understand those issues, you have to know the back stories - because most of the really serious issues are all infrastructure related. And he’s clueless on that stuff, because he doesn’t even know who to talk to, much less the down and dirty details.

With Hanson and Renner, it’s a case of ‘Status Quo’ vrs. ‘Ivory Tower’.

Comment by Judgment Day Monday, Mar 18, 13 @ 3:06 pm
Melrose Park was a given. Bloomington is now on my list. Arlington Heights is definitely a possible. I lived in Rockford for a while, so I may do that one.

Dolton may just be too wired to poll.

Keep ‘em coming.

Comment by Rich Miller Monday, Mar 18, 13 @ 4:05 pm
The race to watch is in Romeoville. We are going to find out if an extremely qualified and knowledgeable incumbent, John Noak, can defeat an ex jock who appears to have nothing but a ring going for him. Mr. Noak wants an open debate and his opponent wants sound bites that make no sense. Have to hope the voters see thru this. Only one choice in my mind.

Comment by Only one choice Monday, Mar 18, 13 @ 4:06 pm
Very curious about Elmhurst and Des Plaines, three way racse in both places that will have a big impact on the future of those cities.

Comment by migwagin Monday, Mar 18, 13 @ 4:15 pm
Quincy’s race for mayor between John Spring and Kyle Moore. From what I hear, there is a lot of Chicago money coming into the race so it might have some sort of significance to people outside of Quincy.

Comment by Nick Kruse Monday, Mar 18, 13 @ 4:18 pm
=== From what I hear, there is a lot of Chicago money coming into the race===

Wow. Just checked. Yep.

But my pollster is already working for one side, so I don’t think I can get any numbers there.

Comment by Rich Miller Monday, Mar 18, 13 @ 4:26 pm
Pierce & Pierce
Oak Lawn:
Dave Heilmann vs. Sandra Bury
If the lawn signage is any indication, this should be a heck of a race - I know lawn signs don’t vote.

Crestwood, Blue Island and Sauk Village are interesting races to watch.

Comment by Dee Lay Monday, Mar 18, 13 @ 4:29 pm
Yeah that Romeoville race is worth watching for a lot of reasons. I have family there and they’re really trying to figure out who is the best choice. Also, Village of Niles has a battle for Mayor/Village President, and as it had been home to a LONG-time, now Felon, Mayor Nick Blaze back into the 60’s up until his fairly recent Fed conviction, would be interesting to observe (2 current Village Trustees opposing each other)….

Comment by Just The Way It Is One Monday, Mar 18, 13 @ 4:58 pm
watching Elmwood Park with eager anticipation. anyone got a line on any of the Township races? The BGA story line on townships made me very interested in seeing if there is any reform possibilities.

Comment by Amalia Monday, Mar 18, 13 @ 5:05 pm
Arlington Heights, it’s the first time in a long time that there is some competition for this position with The mayor stepping down. At the league of women voters forum, you could cut the tension in the room between Ron Drake and Tom Hayes.

Comment by Eaglegmt Monday, Mar 18, 13 @ 5:09 pm
Arlington Heights mayors race is the place to be. Tea party’s ,term limits, and a $40 million police station on the table. In Jan Schakowsky’s new district! Things are heating up!

Comment by Lonely girl Monday, Mar 18, 13 @ 5:12 pm
The Parks, Melrose, Stone and Franklin are going to be interesting. You have a group of young Latinos taking on Anglos in Latino majority populated villages. These villages have over 75% Latino population. Can these young guns take out the entrenched machine Mayors? We will see.

Comment by Sythlord Monday, Mar 18, 13 @ 5:24 pm
Noak and his trustees aren’t perfect, but it beats anything that McMichael has to offer yet.
The Village is movng forward in a good way and I’m
all for keeping that way. Go Romeoville United!

Comment by Charlie-Retired Monday, Mar 18, 13 @ 5:49 pm
Dolton may be too weird to poll

Having grown up in Dolton, all I can say is Amen Rich.

The 4th Ward in Aurora and the At-Large Aldermatic race in Aurora. The biggest critic of the mayor is running for alderman at large vs a go along get along guy,

Comment by OneMan Monday, Mar 18, 13 @ 6:50 pm
I would also give a nod to Morrisey. I am not a Rockford resident, but am a local government guy, and he is a mayor that gets it. I know he rubs people the wrong way, but when I see his name come up, he’s always pushing progress. That progress has rubbed people wrong on both fronts, which to many, shows he’s probably doing what’s needed. Rockford isn’t going to change overnight regardless of who is mayor, but Morrisey can keep the ship heading in the right direction. On that note, I wish we could get the parties out of local politics.

Comment by Shemp Monday, Mar 18, 13 @ 10:00 pm
@ Amalia -

Check out what the Dem challengers want to do to reform Wheeling Township (held by entrenched Republicans).

http://Dems4LowerTaxes.com

Comment by G. Willickers Tuesday, Mar 19, 13 @ 1:17 am
@ G. Willickers, thanks! am also wondering about Schaumburg and Maine Township if anyone is into those areas.

Comment by Amalia Tuesday, Mar 19, 13 @ 9:19 am
Money, an NFL ring and a business, does make one a viable candidate for mayor. Education, experience, community leadership and family values are what counts. John Noak has all that and more!

Comment by gigi Tuesday, Mar 19, 13 @ 7:06 pm
I have lived here for many years and the improvements in Romeoville since John Noak has been Mayor has been a great improvement. He has brought in many new businesses and is running the village with great pride. He is a family man and has alot of integreity. He takes pride in what he does and really cares about Romeoville. Too bad McMichels won’t go in a debate with him. Maybe because he has no platform( at least not he has said anything about or even what he can bring to Romeoville. John Noak is my choice.

Comment by Bee Wednesday, Mar 20, 13 @ 10:11 am
Romeoville has grown so well that the position of Mayor needed to filled with an educated person in the field of Municipality goverment knowledge. We voted for John Noak who has these credentials four years ago. Romeoville requires that type of commitment again and for the life of our village. John Noak continues to shine with all the qualifications that our village requires, and no less. The trustees running with John Noak are superior individuals that contribute to the success of Romeoville. The opponant’s refusal to debate is disrespectful to his voters and the residents of Romeoville. Steve McMichaels cannot get “on the Job” training to run a village. His preperation needs to come from an education stand point not an angry one. I have been a resident for 44 yrs. I and I love the progress and dedication this current administration has given to make Romeoville a strong and vibrant community.

Comment by L.A. Wednesday, Mar 20, 13 @ 12:45 pm