Joliet City Council: Incumbents Win Re-Election

JOLIET, IL - Four incumbents on the Joliet City Council were up for re-election in Tuesday's consolidated elections and all four captured far more votes than their challengers, according to unofficial totals from the Will County Clerk's Office. A fifth incumbent, John Gerl, chose not to run for a third term of office. Joe Mutz, a member of the Joliet Park District Board, who received thousands in campaign donations, appeared to come up short in his race against Sharon "Sherri" Reardon, who ran an aggressive campaign in hopes of getting elected to a city office.

Joliet Mayor Bob O'Dekirk ran unopposed for a second four-year term of office and he got 100 percent of the vote, 7,497 votes, in Will County, plus 512 votes in Kendall County.

Three at-large members of the Joliet City Council, Don "Duck" Dickinson, Jan Quillman and Mike Turk are not up for re-election until 2021.

"I was so glad that the residents still had confidence in me," Bettye Gavin told Joliet Patch on Tuesday night. She came up with far votes against James Foster on Tuesday than when she beat him in 2015. Gavin said she has made public safety, affordable housing and public infrastructure top issues in her re-election platform.

"I just want to thank the residents for allowing me the opportunity to serve. I am committed to getting back to work. First thing Wednesday, we're back on the grind."

Here's a rundown of the April 2 races for Joliet City Council:

District 1

Incumbent Larry Hug was seeking a third term of office. He was being challenged by Marc Ragusa. According to unofficial totals, Hug captured about 300 more votes than his foe.

According to unofficial results with all 18 precincts reported:

Hug had 63 percent, with 726 votes

Ragusa had 37 percent, with 428 votes

On Tuesday night Hug told Joliet Patch that he was thrilled the voters across Joliet all agreed to keep the four city council incumbents who were up for another four-year term of office.

"I'm happy to keep the team together," Hug remarked. "Because, they produced as a council and the voters judge a person by what they do. I am absolutely humbled that my fellow residents gave me another term. I really had faith that they would."

Hug said he has been a huge proponent of economic development, and he has been pleased with the direction of the city under the leadership of Mayor O'Dekirk and economic development director Steve Jones.

Moving forward, Hug said he wants the city to work together in hopes of lowering property taxes for the citizens of Joliet, not just be happy to maintain taxes at their current rates.

District 2

Incumbent Patrick Mudron, a Joliet Catholic High School alumni and former outstanding champion wrestler, was challenged by Vincent Alessio. Roger Powell Sr. also ran for the office. According to unofficial totals, Mudron was beating both of his challengers by a wide number of votes. This will be Mudron's second term of office.

With 23 of 23 precincts reporting:

Mudron had 56 percent, with 1,682 votes

Alessio had 32 percent, with 938 votes

Powell had 12 percent, with 361 votes

District 3

With no incumbents on the ballot, Joliet Park Board member Joe Mutz ran for the office against another challenger, Sharon "Sherri" Reardon. Joliet Central High School social studies teacher Ernest Crim also mounted a late write-in campaign. Mutz had received several thousand dollars in campaign contributions from a number of special interest groups, including the Joliet Fire Department unions, but he appeared to come up short, according to unofficial vote totals.

With 13 of 13 precincts of Will County reporting and 7 of 7 precincts in Kendall County reporting:

Reardon had 55 percent, with 1,045 votes

Mutz had 46 percent, with 808 votes

4 percent were listed as "WRITE-IN," 59 votes

District 4

Incumbent Bettye Gavin faced a tough reelection campaign. She was challenged by businessman James Foster, who lost to her by 42 votes in 2015. A third candidate, Damon Zdunich, also ran for the seat. Zdunich had lots of support and several yard signs on the city's near west side. According to unofficial vote totals, Gavin beat both of her opponents by a convincing margin.

With 15 of 15 precincts reporting:

Gavin had 44 percent, with 520 votes

Zdunich had 28 percent, with 336 votes

Foster had 28 percent, with 328 votes

District 5

Progressive candidate Suzanna Ibarra mounted a challenge against two-term incumbent Terry Morris, who is the long-time owner and operator of the Minor-Morris Funeral Home on Richards Street. According to unofficial totals, Morris crushed Ibarra by more than 420 votes.

With 21 of 21 precincts reporting:

Morris had 62 percent, with 1,056 votes

Ibarra had 38 percent, with 635 votes