Tuesday, March 20, 2012
The Park Ridge businessman won despite the long political career of Roselle's mayor.
Newcomer Jim O'Donnell toppled a longtime elected official, Gayle Smolinski, in Tuesday's Republican primary in Illinois' 28th Senate District, which stretches westward from Des Plaines into parts of Rosemont, Elk Grove Village, Schaumburg and Roselle. Smolinski has been mayor of Roselle for 19 years, and served as a village trustee for seven years before that. O'Donnell, on the other hand, has never before tested the political waters. "I've never even been to an election party before," he said Tuesday, waving his hand around at about two dozen supporters enjoying food and drink and celebrating with him. That was at about 9 p.m. Tuesday, when he was leading with 76 percent of the results counted. "So if I win," he said at that time, "I …
Stay tuned to Patch for the latest on the contest.
Update: 9:37 p.m. Park Ridge business executive and first-time candidate Jim O’Donnell is leading the Republican primary for Illinois’ 28th Senate District against Roselle Mayor Gayle Smolinski as results were published on Tuesday. O’Donnell has 55.5 percent of the vote, 6,165 votes, with 114 of 126 precincts reporting. Smolinski has 44.5 percent with 4,943 votes, according to the Cook County Clerk’s website. Earlier: Romney was in Wheaton on Tuesday night. O’Donnell and Smolinski have different backgrounds and different outlooks on what it will take to improve Illinois’ business atmosphere, Patch reported. Smolinski has been mayor of Roselle for 19 years, and O’Donnell has worked as his company’s “business relations guy” for more than 10 …
Reactions are split along party lines.
Des Plaines residents went to dozens of local polling places including the Frisbie Senior Center and City Hall, and voted for representatives in Illinois’ primary election on Tuesday. An informal survey showed votes were cast for President Barack Obama, Congressman Jan Schakowsky for Illinois’ 9th Congressional District, Susan Sweeney for Illinois’ 55th House District and Jim O’Donnell for Illinois’ 28th Senate District. Brenda Carr, 44, of Des Plaines, said she voted for President Obama because he had good ideas. “He wants to reform healthcare and try to make a better economy,” Carr said. “He’s doing a good job.” Earlier: Santorum speaks to Hersey High School students in Arlington Heights. Ellen Gialamas, 72, of Des Plaines, said she …
Monday, March 19, 2012
Park Ridge chief financial officer says Roselle mayor’s statements are 'not true.'
The race is heating up for the Republican nomination in Illinois’ 28th Senate District, which includes parts of Roselle, Schaumburg, Elk Grove Village, Des Plaines and Rosemont. Mayor Gayle Smolinski, of Roselle, and Jim O’Donnell, a business executive from Park Ridge, both claim to possess the ability to improve the state’s business atmosphere and financial health. But they disagree on the relevance of their distinct backgrounds, and what their experiences reveal about what they would accomplish in Springfield. The prevailing candidate will run against incumbent Dan Kotowski, a Park Ridge Democrat for the 33rd District. As a result of the new election map, Kotowski will run in the 28th District. Different Resumes Smolinski, who has been …
