New Waves in Local politics

   

         New waves in Local politics

   Will County and Joliet seem to be dealing with a new political tide. The political waves in the Joliet area from the last few years, have really been showing shifts in the area. Starting with Joliet City Councilman, whom came in with a bang, winning his election with great results. Coming in with 29.72 percent of the vote in a race of four. He beat both Jan Quillman and Michaek F. Turk  whom are both Joliet political veterans. Now with Annette Parker, and Lauren Staley - Ferry both winning in district 9, things are seeming to change. As the old guard is slowly waving out, we are watching a new one enter.
 

       Joliets political community is beginning to shift, and the community is beginning to change.  In both the way they vote,and the way they see incumbents. There are a lot of great political candidates,and bad candidates coming to a spring election season. We are sitting back watching to see what happens this political season. 

       There are numerous seats up for re election, and candidates will not be filed until late December. Although To date there are many races with i coming challengers. Such as school board candidate David Skaroupa, a resident of Joliet for over thirty years, running for his first time ever. 

       With more and more young candidates coming to light we are ready to see whom pull's in the votes. Many people are up for their first runs, others for their 20th, but all in all this up coming year will bring us loads of surprises! 

Chicagos first Female Mayor Jayne Byrne Dies at 81

        Chicagos first Female Mayor Jayne Byrne Dies at 81

(PS) Former Chicago mayor Jayne Byrne passed away earlier today. Jayne a mayor in the City of Chicago from April 16, 1979 – April 29, 1983. Jayne was the first and last female mayor of Chicago to date.  After losing her job as the head of Chicago's consumer affairs department she made the decision to run against the mayor at the time,Michael Bilandic. Seen as little to no threat she managed to win the primary with 51% of the vote.From there she headed onto the general election. Then and still now the city had been very deomcratic. She had won her election with 82 percent of the vote.  After one term she was unseated by Hearld Washington losing her race to him in the primary. Byrne was a very active woman, whom made history in Illinois for woman. She was most known for her time spent living in the Cabrini–Green Homes in Chicago. Her goal at that time, to rid the area of crime and making the city a safer place!  As mayor she had leaders in the community such as Jesse Jackson and others behind her. Jayne passed away today at 81. 

Political Season is surging up

          Candidates begin with new names and old names all in the same hand. Looking to get a head start against their competition. With Will County lighting up the political atmosphere, there are plenty of names in the game. Joliet's Mayor race and 4 district council race are heating up a with three candidates and one more possible candidate entering the race.

         With a mess of candidates and the stakes high after a very Republican year in Illinois, we may see a huge shift in powers this year. Filing runs through December but we would not be supprised to see a few seats shifting hands. With Govonor Quinn losing to Bruce Rauner in the race for Govonor, and with Mark Batanick winning for his state rep race, the current trend is a Republican wave. This being great for the Republicans in the race.

        The Joliet mayors race will be huge, along with the race for quite a few other seats. As the season wears on we will stay in tuned bringing you both sides of the story every time!

The Joliet Mayor Race heats up

       The Joliet Mayors race heat's up:

      By: Brandon Harris

       (PS)   The Joliet Mayors race is heating up and were all left to wonder whom will be representing the people after April. The current Mayor Thomas Giarrante has quite a competition this year. With three known candidates thus far we should defiantly see some real work from these candidates to fix the crime ridden town.

     

Mayor of Joliet Tom Giarrante

  Tom Giarrante the incumbent, continues to push tax hikes and has been in constant battle with the council, is up for the race. He has pulled his petitions for Re - Election.  With much tension and the stakes high, his campaign staff have a lot of work to do to regin Joliet, if they hope to et him re - elected. Last run tom Giarrante spent  $ 50,750 to win the election. He had taken 26.24 percent of the vote, with a 10 point lead over Mihelich.

Andy Mihelich at the witches night out 

         Joliet City councilman Bob O'Dekirk and Joliet JJC boards Andy Mihelich are both also entering the race. Andy a former candidate whom opened his offices from his last race to the homeless,  allowing them to sleep in a warm safe environment. This year he will re-run against Mayor Girrante.

Andy has received a degree in advanced education at the university of Champagne Urbana. His last run he spent $22,000 running for Mayor, loaning his campaign $20,000. In that election he received 13.64 percent of the vote in a whole. Andy an educator, with an impressive background in education, should work towards being superintendent. He has a real up hill battle, and is projected to rake in the least amount of votes this election. Were all left to wonder if he can gain enough votes to win.

 

BoB O'Dekirk prepping for his run for
City Council, 2011. 

      Bob O'Dekirk, a local attorney is the third contestant in the race. With years of public service under his belt  , Bob has been a police officer for the city of Joliet and a commander in Iraq. Receiving  his law degree from John Marshall. He now owns a Joliet law firm and is a city councilman.  Bob is  large contributing factor to the city's budget having a $6 Million dollar wind fall at the end of 2013. When coming into city hall, O'Dekirk  and his constituents faced a $17 Million dollar a year negative balance every year. Thus far in the race Bob seems to be the most likely winner for the seat in April.