Should 17-Year-Olds be Allowed to Vote?

The House just voted in favor of a bill presented by Rep. Carol Sente of Vernon Hills to allow 17-year-olds the right to vote in primary elections. The Senate had its first reading of the bill Thursday.

A bill proposed by State Rep. Carol Sente (D-Vernon Hills) to allow 17-year-olds the right to vote in primary elections if they will be 18 by the next general election cleared the House Wednesday, reported the Daily Herald. The House voted 95-22 in favor of House Bill 226. The Senate had its first reading Thursday. On her website, Sente states that a group of students from a political science program at Stevenson High School has advocated for this initiative for several years, beginning with her predecessor Kathy Ryg. "Over the next few weeks, myself and Rep. Ed Sullivan (R-Mundelein) are planning to speak to students to get them involved in all aspects of passing this bill," stated Sente. "I am hopeful that through our bi-partisan efforts…

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District 102 Schools to Close for March 2014 Primary

The board held off from making election days a permanent student holiday.

The District 102 School Board voted Thursday to shift a teacher institute day from Jan. 21, 2014, to March 18, 2014, so students will not be in the buildings at the same time as voters. Whether this kind of schedule shift becomes permanent, however, is still up for discussion. Board President David May said the district would re-evaluate next year whether to keep students out of the buildings during future elections. The district’s Leadership Council recommended canceling classes on election days after parent Susan Ragaishis presented her concerns over student safety when so many strangers are going in and out of the building. Ragaishis told the Tribune in March that the Sandy Hook school shootings in December heightened her fears. She …

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Election Recap: La Grange Race Results, Candidate Profiles

A roundup of vote totals, candidate reactions and profiles of your newly elected officials.

D107 Election: 'Focus 4 the Future' Slate Wins 3 of 4 Seats

The lone incumbent in the race, Mark Mirabile, was the fourth winner Tuesday.

Three challengers from the "Focus 4 the Future" slate won election to the Pleasantdale School District 107 Board of Education Tuesday. "Focus" candidates Kimberly Barker, Kristin Violante and Douglas Gilman were the three top vote-getters, respectively, and secured spots on the new board along with Mark Mirabile, the lone incubent who finished fourth. Gregory Sengpiel, the fourth "Focus" candidate, and Michael Hawbaker were on the outside looking in after finishing fifth and sixth. According to unofficial results, Barker led all candidates with 894 votes received. Violante had 877; Gilman had 783; and Mirabile had 729. Sengpiel received 704 votes, while Hawbaker had 589. 2013 Election Results: Find All Your Local Winners

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La Grange Voters ‘Sent Clear Statement,’ Trustee Holder Says

Trustee Bill Holder won re-election Tuesday night, along with fellow incumbent Mark Langan and newcomer to the board, David McCarty.

Two incumbents will be returning to the La Grange Village Board, along with one new face, after voters elected the slate endorsed by the Citizens’ Council of La Grange during Tuesday’s election. “It’s a very clear statement by the voters that they agree that La Grange works,” said Trustee Bill Holder, who won his bid for re-election alongside fellow Trustee Mark Langan. Also on the slate was board newcomer David McCarty, who has served previously on several village committees. Up against the trio was a competing slate composed of Joan Hoigard and Jeff Tucek, as well as incumbent Michael Horvath. Results: Trustee, Village of La Grange Turnout: 18.27 % The slate is ready to move La Grange forward in a time that, with the uncertainty tied to …

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