Tears of Gratitude, Stern Warnings and Welcomes: New D135 Board Members Sworn In

Orland School District 135 board members gave fond farewells while new members took their seats at the table.

Tears, warnings and new faces colored a transition night for the Orland School District 135 Board of Education. Before newcomers Tina Zekich and Joe LaMargo, as well as re-elected board member John Carmody, were sworn in, outgoing board members John Brudnak and Gregory Okon offered emotional words of gratitude for the time spent and experiences therein over the last four years on the board. Brudnak spoke from a sizable prepared statement, thanking the entire board and staff for various acts done well and lessons he learned. Brudnak also spoke warmly about previous board members and staff who served in the last four years. In closing, he thanked his wife and family for their patience and said Monday nights could be spent with them now …

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Cunningham Supporters Praise Campaign

Family members and friends who assisted Tom Cunningham in his bid for Orland Park Village Board complimented his efforts during last week’s Orland School District 135 board meeting.

With the 2011 Election finished, it was back to the business of running Orland School District 135 at the April 11 meeting. But before the board took action on agenda items, friends and family voiced their support for board president Tom Cunningham following an unsuccessful bid for Orland Park Village Board. Madelyn Flaherty, who worked as Cunningham’s campaign chairperson, first praised the school board for “being vigilant to tax payers” and operating with “fiscal responsibility” before focusing on Cunningham. “His passion for truth and integrity was feared by the opposition,” she said. “Tom has repeatedly stood up when no one else would. His campaign was run with the highest of standards.” In reference to a past domestic battery arrest …

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Orland Election Log

UPDATE: Julie Ann Craig Calls Political Accusations 'Sour Grapes,' Says She Will Complete Questionnaire

Village board candidate Rich Kelly said non-incumbents had a hard road and wound up splitting votes. Judges at polling stations endured a slow, hungry Election Day.

Welcome to the Orland Park Patch 2011 Election Log, our main hub for all things election. From new developments to events, announcements and positions taken on issues by the candidates, we’ll be reporting up to April 5 and beyond. Bookmark the link and check in. Offer comments. And let us know if we should be aware of something. For more details about candidates, registering and polling locations, visit the 2011 Orland Park Patch Election Central database. _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ April 12 10:44 a.m. Craig Reaches Out: Julie Ann Craig says she's pleased with Cook County Commissioner Liz Gorman's endorsement but dismisses the charge of bringing a political element to the Orland Park Public Library Board. "When people lose, there'…

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Follow Live 2011 Election Results

We'll be updating throughout the night.

Updated 8:10 a.m. Wednesday All election night, Patch will be uploading real-time results for the local races that affect your local community. These numbers will be updated throughout the night, so check back frequently for your election coverage. All information is from local county clerk's offices or election commissions. Results are unofficial pending certification from the relevant election authorities.     59 out of 59 precincts reporting, three open seats 61 of 61 precincts reporting, two open seats 50 out of 50 precincts reporting, three open seats 136 out of 136 precincts reporting, three open seats 59 out of 59 precincts reporting, three open seats 32 out of 32 precincts reporting, three opens seats 6 out of 6 precincts …

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'Top 3 for 230' Tops District 230 Race

The slate of two incumbents and the current Palos District 118 board president won out the race for D230 school board.

The slate "Top 3 for 230," made up of current District 230 Board President Patrick O'Sullivan, board member Kathy Quilty and current Palos 118 School Board President Richard Nogal took a commanding lead in the race for the school district that manages Andrew, Stagg and Sandburg high schools. With 132 of the 136 precincts reporting by 11 p.m. Tuesday, each of the members of the slate (who won the coveted top three spots on the ballot) had more than 6,000 votes apiece. Their nearest competitor, Patrick S. Sullivan, had 3,985. "I'm very happy," Quilty said by phone Tuesday night. "Our hard work paid off. We ran a very good campaign." O'Sullivan said the money the slate spent on signs and other promotional items was needed to stand out in the …

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Campaign Contributions: Election 2011

Patch compiled available data from the Illinois State Board of Elections about contributions made to the various candidates and their respective parties.

Signs, events and literature handouts all cost money. With that in mind, Patch gathered available data on campaign contributions for the various candidates running in the April 5 election. Some of the funds candidates raised come out of his or her own pockets, while some of it constitutes loans rather than gifts. Those candidates on a slate will have redundant contributions—in other words, money was donated to a slate but shows up under an individual candidate’s name in a search. The following lists contributions made between Jan. 1, 2010 and April 1, 2011. (note: no contributions were listed for any of the school board candidates)

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Rear View

In The Rear View: Kustok Case Stalls Again and Candidates Question Each Other

We look back at a week of stalking, Tibetan chanting, candidate criticism, softball, school staffing and no progress in a court case.

It has been about six months since Jeanie Kustok was brought to Palos Community Hospital after she died from a gunshot wound to the head. Her husband Allan Kustok was later charged with murder, though the case has barely moved an inch in court since, as the Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office continues to gather evidence. On Monday, a DVD of surveillance video taken from the hospital on Sept. 29, when her body was taken in. Sandburg Girls Softball senior center fielder Kelly Sherridan knows her team has some rebuilding to do to repeat their championship feat from last year. But they got there as a team last year, and are ready to try again (video). Orland School District 135 is looking to adjust their staffing as enrollment is projected …

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Candidates Question Candidates During Village Board Forum

During Orland Township's candidate forum for Orland Park Village Board, the hopefuls got to grill each other on the issues.

Orland Township's candidates forum for the people vying for Orland Park Village Board had a slight twist on the usual format. Candidates were open to put each other to task on several issues, by asking each other specific questions.

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Issue Rundown: Orland Park Village Board Candidates on Planning Budgets

Candidates campaigning for a seat on the Orland Park Village board shared their views on how to fill a possible budget gap.

The following answers are taken from issue-focused questionnaires, where candidates for Orland Park Village Board were given the option to reply in writing, sit down for an in-person interview or participate in a phone interview. Answers are posted in the order questionnaires were returned or interviews were held. Trustees and staff plugged a $1.8 million budget gap this fall by increasing certain fees and fines, including vehicle stickers, without cutting staff. Is there anything you would have done differently? John Brudnak (phone interview) You have to look at cutting staff. At the school board we cut staff, now we’re looking at the administrative level. At my company, everybody took a hit, from top management to the lowest guy in the …

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