Bolingbrook Election Results: Claar Ahead By 103 Votes

BOLINGBROOK, IL -- With all precincts counted late Tuesday, it looked like Bolingbrook Mayor Roger Claar would claim another victory.

Claar had a 103-vote lead over challenger Jackie Traynere, a Will County Board member. He led Trayner 50.4 percent to 49.6 percent. Neither Claar nor Traynere returned messages from Patch on Tuesday night.

Claar's Bolingbrook First party called the race "still to close to call" late Tuesday and posted a video of supporters cheering for Claar with the note, "We are almost there. Two more weeks until final results!"

Traynere's Bolingbrook United party did not concede defeat, posting, "Ladies and gentlemen, we are blown away by the results and the support we have received. If there was ever a race (or a few in this case) where the expression 'every vote matters applies, it's here in Bolingbrook. Unfortunately, with the results as close as they are, we cannot declare victory or concede. The reality is that a very small margin separates the races for Mayor, Clerk and the Village trustee races as well. Over the next few days we will see additional mail in ballots counted and perhaps even recounts performed. The contests are that close!"

Claar told supporters at Bolingbrook Golf Club that it was a "very difficult race," according to the Chicago Tribune, and Traynere said the thin margin separating her and Claar is an indication that people want change. "David really hurt Goliath," she said.

It was much closer in the village clerk race, where longtime clerk Carol Penning, now in her seventh term, led by a very marrow margin over attorney Jaime Olson.

It looked like every member of Claar's Bolingbrook First slate would hold onto their seats except for trustee Sheldon Watts, a recent appointee on the board.

Trustee candidate Robert Jaskiewicz, owner of a business lending firm, appeared to be the only member of the Traynere-fronted Bolingbrook United party to win a spot. Bolingbrook First members Maria Zarate, elected in 2013, and Michael Lawler, a trustee since 1995, also appeared to keep their seats as all votes were tallied.

Vote totals (unofficial until April 25):

• Robert M. Jaskiewicz (Bolingbrook United): 5,629
• Terri L. Ransom (Bolingbrook United): 5,617
• Mary Helen Reyna De Parsons (Bolingbrook United): 5,339
• Michael T. Lawler (Bolingbrook First): 5,777
• Sheldon L. Watts (Bolingbrook First): 5,476
• Maria A. Zarate (Bolingbrook First): 5,719

Mayor Roger Claar/Submitted photo