Politics & Government

Area Mayors Make Calls Supporting Peloquin for Congress

Heads of Tinley Park, Frankfort and Mokena endorsed Don Peloquin, the 1st Congressional District Republican candidate. Orland Park and New Lenox mayors aren't endorsing Peloquin, but also haven't gotten behind Democrat incumbent Bobby Rush either.

Three south suburban mayors have vocally put their support behind Blue Island Mayor Don Peloquin, the Republican candidate for what will be the new 1st Congressional District after the Nov. 6 election.

Frankfort Mayor Jim Holland and Mokena Mayor Joe Werner have recorded robo calls expressing their support for Peloquin that have been sent within their towns. Tinley Park Mayor Ed Zabrocki is scheduled to do the same.

All three cited familiarity with Peloquin’s efforts in Blue Island during his 27 years as mayor, and as an area funeral home director, as main reasons for supporting him.

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“Don has been mayor almost as long as me,” Zabrocki said. “I have had the opportunity to work with him over that time, so when I was asked to show support it was a natural choice. I have nothing negative to say of Bobby Rush. I just happen to know Don better and worked with him before.”

Peloquin is running against Democrat Bobby Rush, who has held the seat since 1993.

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Werner said that he sees Peloquin as more experienced in interacting with the range of diverse people who will now be a part of the new 1st district. Boundaries of the new 1st Congressional District have it going from the urban Bronzeville neighborhood of Chicago on its far north end, to more rural Elwood on the opposite south west boundary.

“We’re now going to be part of a bizarrely crafted district,” Werner said. “We now have farmers in Ellwood all the way up to Hyde Park. That’s a complicated range of needs. I’m interested in who has the capability to extend himself in both directions. I’m sure Bobby has done great things, but changing the district like this is a game changer.”

Holland said he agrees with Peloquin’s fiscally conservative plans and views.

“Don is someone who believes less government is better than more government,” Holland said. “That coincides with my thoughts and I certainly know him to be an honest and ethical person, which is important in our state.”

Orland Park Mayor Dan McLaughlin said he hasn’t been contacted by Peloquin’s or Rush’s campaigns about supporting. Though he has put his support behind Mike Hastings, Fran Hurley and Bill Cunningham, who are all state senate candidates, as well as Cook County Board of Review candidate Casey Griffin.

“I tend to stick more to the local and state races,” McLaughlin said.

New Lenox Mayor Tim Baldermann wrote in an email that as mayor, he would not be endorsing either candidate. Baldermann ran as the Republican candidate for the 11th Congressional District in 2008, but pulled out of the race before the election.

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