Crowded council race in one Northlake ward

NORTHLAKE ­— All the election action in Northlake is in the third ward.

Incumbents are unopposed for mayor, city clerk, treasurer and three of the city council seats that will be voted on April 9.

In the third ward, however, incumbent alderman Richard Riesterer faces …

Challenger holds lead in 77th House race

FRANKLIN PARK — Challenger Kathleen Willis retained a lead over incumbent Angelo “Skip” Saviano late Tuesday night for the 77th Illinois House.

With 60 of 61 precincts reporting, Willis had 13,413 votes versus Saviano’s 12,103.

Saviano, 54, has been a state representative in the 77th …

Quigley commands in 5th Congressional

CHICAGO — Incumbent Mike Quigley retained a large lead over challengers Dan Schmidt and Nancy Wade Tuesday night for the 5th Congressional District.

With 577 of 586 precincts reporting, Quigley had 168,052 votes, Schmidt 73,553 and Wade 14,501, according to unofficial election results.

If Quigley …

County commissioners give preliminary OK to new district map

A proposed map redrawing boundaries for the Cook County Board of Commissioners districts received overwhelming preliminary approval Friday. Fifteen of the 17 commissioners signed off on the plan, which is slated for a final vote Tuesday. The lone dissenting vote came from Commissioner Earlean Collins …

NATO Summit may pose few political risks for Obama

LYNN SWEET: With the American public — and presumptive Republican nominee Mitt Romney — focused on the economy, President Barack Obama may not have much at stake politically if there are diplomatic flaps at the NATO Summit in Chicago.

Tragedy tests Cook County Hospital cops

The police force assigned to patrol Cook County’s hospital system doesn’t have the best reputation in town.

In recent years, officers with the Cook County Hospital Police have been accused of inappropriately roughing up an elderly visitor, slamming a county employee against a wall while …

State GOP chair: Wisconsin on right track

Illinois Republican Party Chairman Pat Brady said this week’s speech at the Illinois Chamber of Commerce meeting in Springfield by Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker highlights that Wisconsin is headed in the right direction, while Illinois continues to be one of the worst states in the …

Can suburban mayors serve on county board?

Should a suburban mayor be allowed to have a second job as a county board member? That’s a question at the center of a political debate in DuPage County where Elmhurst Mayor Pete DiCianni and Burr Ridge Mayor Gary Grasso say they plan to continue running their respective communities, if elected to the DuPage County Board.

Lilly landslide in 78th state rep race

Incumbent Camille Lilly cruised to reelection against challenger Michael Nardello in the 78th District state representative race. Unofficial vote totals said she took more than 77 percent of the vote: Lilly 5,558; Nardello, 1,654 (with 54 of 55 precincts reporting as of press time). Nardello …

GOP leader endorses Democrat in primary

Democrat Emanuel “Chris” Welch got an unusual endorsement last week for his state representative bid: It came from a Republican. Illinois State Rep. Angelo “Skip” Saviano, R-77th, of Elmwood Park, isn’t just any Republican. Besides being Republican State Central 5th District committeeman, Saviano is also …

Six Democrats float names for Water District

There is no shortage of candidates in this year’s Democratic primary who say they want to help keep the Chicago region’s water clean and out of your basement. Six are vying for three spots on the Democratic ballot for the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago. The three party-backed candidates — incumbent Debra Shore, Kari K. Steele and Patrick Daley Thompson — are squaring off against incumbent Patricia Horton, Stella B. Black and Patricia Young.

Direct access to physical therapists being sought

State Rep. Angelo (Skip) Saviano (R-77th) has introduced legislation amending the Illinois Physical Therapy Act that will allow health care consumers in Illinois to have direct access to physical therapist services. Under current law, a physician referral is required before a person can be treated …

Sen. Kirk’s brain swelling subsides; doctors reattach skull section

Doctors on Tuesday reattached a 4-inch by 8-inch piece of U.S. Sen. Mark Kirk’s skull that was removed to ease swelling in his brain following his Jan. 21 stroke.

Sen. Kirk upgraded to ‘good’ condition, watched Super Bowl

Sen. Mark Kirk’s condition has been upgraded from “fair” to “good.”

Doctors hope to be able to re-attach the 8-inch-by-4-inch section of his skull that had to be removed after he suffered a stroke two weeks ago.

Then the Highland Park Republican can begin physical …

Gov. Quinn signs bill to allow speed cameras near schools, parks

Gov. Pat Quinn on Monday ended months of deliberation and signed into law a measure allowing Chicago to install speed-enforcement cameras near schools and parks.