Former Trustee Anne Colton will return to the Homewood board, joining three incumbents who won re-election, according to unofficial results of the April 4 consolidated election.
Four candidates ran for three four-year terms, including Colton, who received 1,262 votes, or 24.54%; and incumbents Jay Heiferman, with 1,320 votes, or 25.67%; and Julie Willis with 1,343, or 26.11%. Incumbent Cherise “Cece” Belue fell just short, with 1,218 votes, or 23.68%.
Incumbent Lisa Purcell ran unopposed for a two-year term. She received 1,745 votes.
checks election results on her phone during a results watching party at
Rabid Brewing on Tuesday evening. (Eric Crump/H-F Chronicle)
Colton was reluctant to declare victory, since the margin between her vote count and Belue’s was less than 1%, but contingent upon final results, she was willing to discuss what she learned during the campaign and what she hopes to contribute to the board.
“What I’ve learned from voters is that the residents really love Homewood, and they want to be part of writing Homewood’s success story,” she said. “I want to help them do that. That’s going to take communication, listening, transparency and collaboration.”
She would like the board to look for new ways to get more people involved in village government.
“People want to be involved, and people have so much to give. There’s so much talent here,” she said.
The two issues that seemed to on many residents minds are the Wind Creek Casino, under construction on Halsted Street just south of Interstate 80/294, and helping small businesses thrive.
Willis said the issue she heard residents raise most during the campaign was the redevelopment of Calumet Country Club. Because the property is no longer part of Homewood and has been annexed by neighboring Hazel Crest, the board doesn’t have any oversight over the project.
“It’s not in Homewood’s control any more, but we’re going to do whatever we can to minimize any detrimental impact on Homewood residents,” she said.
Willis said she was glad to have the opportunity to continue serving the community, but she said she will miss sitting next to Belue.
“It is bittersweet, because Cece didn’t make it,” she said. “She cares so much about Homewood. She’s going to find some way to contribute.”
Belue concurred.
“I wish our newly elected trustees all the best. I will help our village any way I can,” she said.
Heiferman said he is generally happy with the direction the village is going and is glad to continue.
“I am pleased with the result of the election. I’m honored to receive another term,” he said. “No matter who would have won tonight our mission continues. I think we’re all on the same page. I look forward to working with Anne again.”