Local News

Three referendums, contested races on Nov. 8 ballot

On Election Day, Nov. 8, voters in Homewood and Flossmoor will have three referendums on the ballot — a local property tax increase for School District 153; a county referendum asking for additional funding for the Forest Preserves of Cook County; and a statewide question on adding a workers rights amendment to the Illinois Constitution.

Those are in addition to a number of contested elections.

Workers Rights Amendment
The statewide referendum will ask voters whether to add a new section to the state constitution that protects workers rights. The amendment guarantees employees the right to organize and collectively negotiate for wages, hours, working conditions, and safety at work.

According to the Secretary of State’s office, advocates for the amendment believe it will protect workers’ rights and safety, and protect them from being silenced when they call attention to workplace safety problems. They also believe it will boost the state economy by enabling workers to negotiate higher pay, providing more access to the middle class.

Opponents of the amendment counter that it would conflict with the U.S. rights to free speech and assembly by prohibiting laws that allow workers to choose whether they want to join a union. They also point to the passage that prevents lawmakers to “interfere with, negate, or diminish” certain rights as too broad and undefined, believing they could prevent lawmakers from addressing problems through legislation.

Forest Preserves property tax increase
Cook County voters will be asked to approve a property tax increase of 0.025%. Proponents say the increase will cost most homeowners about $1.66 per month. The new revenue will be used to “protect, restore and expand our forest preserves, ensuring cleaner air and drinking water and reducing flooding,” according to the website Vote Yes.

Revenue from the increase also will address deferred maintenance on public lands, acquire new lands and resolve pension shortfalls.

The forest preserves cover 70,000 acres, or 11% of land in the county.

Cook County

  • Board of Commissioners, President: Incumbent Democrat Toni Preckwinkle faces Republican Bob Fioretti and Libertarian Thea Tsatsos.
  • Clerk: Incumbent Democrat Karen A. Yarbrough faces Republican Tony Peraica and LIbertarian Joseph Schreiner.
  • Sheriff: Incumbent Democrat Tom J. Dart faces Republican Lupe Aguirre and Libertarian Brad Sandefur.
  • Treasurer: Incumbent Democrat Maria Pappas faces Republican Peter Kopsaftis and Libertarian Michael Murphy. 
  • Assessor: Incumbent Democrat Fritz Kaegi faces Libertarian Nico Tsatsoulis.
  • Commissioner, 6th District: Incumbent Democrat Donna Miller faces Republican Anna Biedrzycki.
  • Commissioner, 5th District (no incumbent): Democrat Monica Gordon faces Libertarian Jason Decker.

Illinois

  • Governor/Lieutenant Governor: Incumbent Democrats J.B. Pritzker and Juliana Stratton face Republicans Darren Bailey and Stephanie Trussell and Libertarians Scott Schluter and John Phillips.
  • Attorney General: Incumbent Democrat Kwame Raoul faces Republican Thomas G. DeVore and Libertarian Daniel K. Robin.
  • Secretary of State (no incumbent): Democrat Alexi Giannoulias faces Republican Dan Brady and Libertarian Jon Stewart.
  • Comptroller: Incumbent Democrat Susana A. Mendoza faces Republican Shannon L. Teresi and Libertarian Deirdre McCloskey.
  • Treasurer: Incumbent Democrat Michael W. Frerichs faces Republican Tom Demmer and Libertarian Preston Nelson.
  • Senate, 15th District: Incumbent Democrat Napoleon Harris is unopposed.
  • Senate, 40th District: Incumbent Democrat Patrick Joyce faces Republican Philip Nagel.
  • Representative, 29th District: Incumbent Democrat Thaddeus Jones faces Republican Jeffery Coleman.
  • Representative, 30th District: Incumbent Democrat William “Will” Davis faces Republican Patricia Bonk.
  • Representative, 38th District: Incumbent Democrat Debbie Meyers-Martin faces Republican Tom Toolis.
  • Representative, 80th District: Incumbent Democrat Anthony DeLuca faces Republican Al Kuypers Sr.

U.S.

  • Senate: Incumbent Democrat Tammy Duckworth faces Republican Kathy Salvi and Libertarian Bill Redpath.
  • House of Representatives: Incumbent Democrat Robin Kelly faces Republican Thomas Lynch.

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