AFSCME-backed candidates prevail throughout Illinois
In local elections held throughout the state on April 7, voters elected a number of candidates who campaigned as strong defenders of the middle class, public employees and the labor movement.
These candidates were helped to victory by the union’s PEOPLE program. PEOPLE delegates in each region interviewed the candidates and/or reviewed their records to make decisions regarding endorsements.
The Chicago City Council will include several new, progressive faces when aldermen begin their terms in May. Two of them, Carlos Ramirez-Rosa in the 35th Ward and David Moore in the 17th Ward, were elected outright in the first round of voting on Feb. 24. They will be joined by Susan Sadlowski-Garza, who prevailed in a tight contest to represent the 10th Ward. All three newcomers earned the backing of the PEOPLE committee representing Chicago AFSCME members.
PEOPLE also endorsed progressive incumbents who won another term on the council, overcoming well-funded opposition. They include the 38th Ward’s Nick Sposato, who won outright on Feb. 24, as well as several runoff winners: Toni Foulkes in the 16th Ward, Willie Cochran in the 20th Ward and John Arena in the 45th Ward.
Springfield is set to have a new mayor, Jim Langfelder, who has supported public employees and the work they do, earning him support from the PEOPLE committee in the area. The union also supported two winning City Council candidates: incumbent Kris Theilen in the 8th Ward and newcomer Jim Donelan in the 9th Ward.
In Joliet, the PEOPLE program helped Bob O’Dekirk prevail in the race for mayor and also helped re-elect District 1 Councilman Larry Hug.
In the Quad Cities, AFSCME supported two new members of the Rock Island City Council: Virgil Mayberry in the 2nd Ward and Joshua Schip in the 6th Ward. In Silvis, the PEOPLE program helped re-elect two aldermen, Kathryn Hall in the 2nd Ward and Bob Rockwell in the 3rd Ward.
The union also supported a successful referendum in Jefferson County that will provide more revenue for public safety services, including police, fire fighters and EMTs.
A full list of candidates endorsed by AFSCME and results are below.
Chicago City Council
Alyx Pattison (2nd Ward) – L
Sue Sadlowski Garza (10th Ward) – W
Rafael Yanez (15th Ward) – L
Toni Foulkes (16th Ward) – W
Lona Lane (18th Ward) – L
Willie Cochran (20th Ward) – W
Tara Stamps (37th Ward) – L
John Arena (45th Ward) – W
Springfield
Mayor: Jim Langfelder – W
City Council:
T. Ray McJunkins (1st Ward) – L
Teresa Haley (2nd Ward) – L
Scott McFarland (4th Ward) – L
Sam Cahnman (5th Ward) – L
Michael Higgins (7th Ward) – L
Kris Theilen (8th Ward) – W
Jim Donelan (9th Ward) – W
Phil Chiles (10th Ward) – L
Quad Cities
Rock Island City Council:
Joshua Schip (6th Ward) – W
Virgil Mayberry (2nd Ward) – W
Moline City Council: Sandra O’Neil (3rd Ward) – L
Moline School Board: Cecelia O’Brien – L
Silvis City Council:
Kathryn Hall (2nd Ward) – W
Bob Rockwell (3rd Ward) – W
Joliet
Mayor: Bob O’Dekirk – W
City Council:
Larry Hug (1st District) – won
Bret Gould (2nd District) – L
Park District Board:
Joe Mutz – W
Glen Marcum – W
Joliet Township High School Board: Don Dickinson – W
Other races
Champaign mayor: Don Gerard – L
Jefferson County public safety referendum – Vote YES (passed)