Final Election Results In Lively CHSD 218 Board Races

OAK LAWN, IL -- Bob Stokas held on to his seat on the CHSD 218 Board of Education, representing the 6th subdistrict in Oak Lawn and Chicago Ridge, in the April 2 election. Stokas faced a formidable challenger in Tricia O’Sullivan, eking out a win by 59 votes, according to unofficial vote tallies.

At the end of the night, Stokas garnered 826 votes to O’Sullivan’s 767, according to unofficial vote totals. CHSD 218 oversees Richards (Oak Lawn), Shepard (Palos Heights) and Eisenhower (Blue Island) high schools.

Stokas ran as a team with incumbent Carol Kats and Jaclyn Sharp. Sharp fell to Shelia Wilson-Collier in the 1st subdistrict, which covers portions of Blue Island and Robbins. Wilson-Collier captured 984 to 551. Both were vying for Johnny Holmes’ seat on the board, who is retiring from the board.

Kats pulled out a decisive win over Maureen Kenney Richel in Subdistrict 5, representing parts of Worth and Palos Heights, 1,067 to 479 votes).

Stokas thanked his endorsers, including Oak Lawn Mayor Sandra Bury and Worth Township Democratic Committeeman Patricia Joan Murphy, adding that he would continue to vote against automatic tax increases while remaining “union strong.” He also thanked his challenger.

“I want to sincerely thank my former opponent Tricia O'Sullivan for personally calling me to congratulate me on my victory,” Stokas said in a written statement. “Tricia's phone call truly demonstrates her high character. I look forward to moving beyond this election as it was very difficult on my family and I.”

Here are the final unofficial vote tallies:

CHSD 218, Subdistrict 1

Sheila Wilson-Collier - 984 (64.1%)

Jacquelyne R. Sharp - 551 (35.9%)

CHSD 218, Subdistrict 5

Carol A. Kats - 1,067 (69.02%)

Maureen Kenney Richel - 479 (30.98%)

CHSD 218, Subdistrict 6

Robert ''Bob'' Stokas - 826 (51.85%)

Tricia O'Sullivan - 767 (48.15%)