One-term incumbent unseated in Huntley

Huntley voters chose youth over experience by selecting challenger Nick Hanson over one-term Trustee Jayant Kadakia. Meanwhile, incumbents Harry Leopold and Niko Kanakaris rolled to victory Tuesday in the race for three 4-year seats on the village board.

Voters made their choices from a crowded field of six candidates.

Unofficial vote totals from Kane and McHenry counties show Leopold had 1,354 votes, Kanakaris had 1,125 votes and Hanson had 969 votes.

“I think they wanted something different,” Hanson said of his victory.

Kadakia had 837 votes, newcomer Rosa DeMaertelaere had 565 votes and challenger J.R. Westberg had 478 votes.

“I didn’t make it, so I didn’t make it,” Kadakia said. “Maybe those guys did more advertising than I could, probably.”

The incumbents have helped shepherd the growing village through tough economic times and identified completing a four-way interchange at Route 47 and I-90, keeping taxes down and attracting new businesses as top priorities.

Westberg, Hanson and DeMaertelaere listed the same issues, as well as maintaining Huntley’s small-town feel, as their areas of focus as well.

Moreover, all six candidates have said they would pursue home rule for the village. Home-rule communities have the power to raise property taxes and create new taxes without a referendum. They also have the ability to formulate their own laws to address local issues.