Winnetka Talk

Slated candidates take New Trier board seats

Sun, 12 May 2013 12:48:27 -0500

WINNETKA — While the slate of candidates was announced by the New Trier Board of Education Caucus in October, the results became official Tuesday night. Winning reelection to the New Trier High School board were Board President Alan Dolinko and Trustees Frank “Mac” Harris and John Myefski. Newcomer Greg Robitaille will take the seat of outgoing trustee Carol Ducommun. Wilmette resident Dolinko will serve his second term and looks forward to representing the community for another four years. “I feel very excited to continue to serve the students, families and taxpayers of New Trier High School,” Dolinko said. “We’ve got …

Greable bests Rintz for Winnetka village president

Sun, 12 May 2013 06:09:39 -0500

WINNETKA — Gene Greable and his family spent the eve of election night standing on one of Winnetka’s train station platforms greeting hundreds of commuters and campaigning until the final minute. On election night, having defeated challenger Chris Rintz in a close race to become the new Winnetka village president, Greable could only think of one family member. “I think of my 29-year-old son who died of a heart attack,” Greable said, battling his emotions during his victory party at Trifecta Grill Tuesday night. “He was proud of me as a trustee. He would have never imagined me as president. …

Election Day polls are closed

Tue, 09 Apr 2013 19:03:42 -0500

It’s Election Day. Voters will be choosing among candidates for village, library, park district, school and township boards, and, in some cases, village leaders and referendums. Polls are open from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Two vie for Winnetka village president

Thu, 28 Mar 2013 08:50:00 -0500

WINNETKA — Winnetka residents will have a choice at the polls April 9 as two former trustees seek to become Winnetka’s next village president.

Schakowsky excited heading into eighth term

Wed, 16 Jan 2013 17:52:01 -0500

With the new Congress comes new challenges for local representatives in Washington. Day one of the 113th Congress was the beginning of the eighth consecutive term for Illinois 9th Congressional District Representative Jan Schakowsky. The Democrat said the first day of her latest term remains as exciting as her first day on the job. “Absolutely (it’s exciting),” Schakowsky said. “Particularly because this is such a consequential moment in history.” According to Schakowsky, the challenges ahead include a continued path of recovery for the United States, the implementation of new health care legislation, the challenge of protecting Social Security, Medicare and …

How much did it cost Tea Party GOPer Joe Walsh to lose? About $70 a vote

Thu, 06 Dec 2012 15:56:24 -0500

If money “buys” a vote for a candidate, then ultimately the tens of millions of dollars poured into Illinois congressional races failed to pay off. Outside groups plowed $43 million into the top six U.S. House races in the Land of Lincoln on top of individual campaign spending. However, in the three top Chicago-area congressional races, those who spent the most money — or had the most spent on their behalf — lost.

Democrat Brad Schneider ousts Rep. Dold in 10th Congressional District

Wed, 07 Nov 2012 07:52:00 -0500

In an upset, Democrat Brad Schneider narrowly slipped past U.S. Rep Bob Dold Tuesday, ousting the freshman congressman and giving the 10th District its first Democrat in decades. Dold conceded just before 11 p.m. He lost by barely 2,400 votes out of more than 200,000 cast. Dold, a moderate, was remapped into a Democratic-leaning, north suburban district. At one point Tuesday, he appeared to be heading toward re-election. But as votes from the Lake County portion of the district came in, Schneider narrowly surged past him. The remaining precincts, however, were in Cook County, closer to Dold’s home turf in …

Biss wins 9th state senate seat

Sun, 09 Dec 2012 06:21:54 -0500

EVANSTON Daniel Biss, D–Evanston, now represents the 9th Senate District in Illinois, after defeating Republican opponent Glenn Farkas on Tuesday. With all 168 precincts reporting, Biss won with 64,909 votes (67 percent) to Farkas’ 32,495 (33 percent). Before Election Day, Biss was the state representative for the 17th House District. Farkas, of Glenview, owns a wealth management company. Biss spent most of the night with supporters at a downtown Evanston restaurant, watching President Barack Obama slowly build a lead over challenger Mitt Romney. Biss said his new legislative role as a state senator will change. “I’m going from a bigger …

Schakowsky scores eighth term in Congress

Sun, 09 Dec 2012 06:21:39 -0500

EVANSTON Democrat Jan Schakowsky will return for an eighth term as Illinois’ 9th District congresswoman after defeating Republican challenger Tim Wolfe by a wide margin in Tuesday’s election. With all 538 precincts reporting, Schakowsky had 186,594 votes to Wolfe’s 95,289. Speaking briefly to supporters at Prairie Moon Restaurant Tuesday night in Evanston, Schakowsky said early voting totals showed local voters still support the existing administration in Washington. “They’re showing support of President Obama’s agenda and the agenda of the Democratic party, which are very different from the Republican agenda,” Schakowsky said before heading to McCormick Place for President Obama’s election …

Gabel wins second term in legislature

Wed, 07 Nov 2012 12:56:23 -0500

EVANSTON — Evanston Democrat Robyn Gabel easily won her second term as state representative for the 18th House district Tuesday night, defeating fellow Evanstonian Eric Lieberman by a wide margin. With 79 of 84 precincts reporting at 9:40 p.m. Tuesday, Gabel had 29,503 votes to Lieberman’s 15,783, a 65.15 percent to 34.85 percent edge. There are approximately 70,000 registered voters in the district. Gabel, who spent much of the night with other Democratic candidates in Evanston, said she was thrilled to be returning to Springfield. She planned to go to work as soon as possible solving the state’s pension problems, …

North Shore issues voters hit the polls

Sun, 09 Dec 2012 06:35:29 -0500

Across the suburbs of the North Shore, eager voters took to the polls early on Election Day, many armed with a sense of civic duty and a chance to weigh in on issues they consider personally important. Here’s what Pioneer Press reporters found when they checked in throughout the day. WINNETKA The parking lot at the Winnetka Presbyterian Church was overflowing, forcing some to park across Willow Road in the residential area just to get in and out quickly. Corrine Bowman and her granddaughter Lindsay have voted together for years, and cast their ballots Tuesday, both citing the economy as …

Voting running smoothly, at least in suburbs

Tue, 06 Nov 2012 15:54:48 -0500

A steady and significant number of voters have turned out to polling places in Cook County, but rain this afternoon and evening could hurt voter turnout. Very few voters waited in line Tuesday but crowds were steady until after 9 a.m. when it began to taper off, according to Cook County Clerk David Orr, who was visiting polling places in the far west suburbs when reached on his cell phone. Orr expects voter turnout in Cook County to be less than the 73.5 percent of four years ago, but thinks it will still be high. “It is unclear if the …

Wolfe challenges Schakowsky in 9th

Fri, 02 Nov 2012 10:20:01 -0500

Democrat Jan Schakowsky is seeking her eighth term as Illinois’ 9th District congresswoman, but she faces an Election Day challenger in accountant Tim Wolfe.

Lieberman challenges Gabel’s re-election bid

Mon, 26 Nov 2012 06:52:07 -0500

WILMETTE — Illinois State Rep. Robyn Gabel, D-18, is seeking a second term against attorney Eric Lieberman. The 18th state house district includes all or parts of Evanston (where both candidates live), Wilmette, Kenilworth, Winnetka and Glencoe.

Biss, Farkas vie for 9th Senate seat

Fri, 19 Oct 2012 09:10:01 -0500

Candidates seeking to represent Illinois’ 9th Senate District believe a top issue facing suburban voters Nov. 6 is public pension reform and how it impacts state finances. Daniel Biss, D–Evanston, now holds the 17th House District. His Republican opponent, Glenview resident Glenn Farkas, owns a wealth management company.