Kozlowski defeats longtime Palatine Councilman Wagner

Palatine voters opted for a fresh voice over 24 years of experience Tuesday at the polls, electing newcomer Kollin Kozlowski over longtime District 5 Councilman Jack Wagner.

With all 13 precincts reported, unofficial results showed Kozlowski earned 592 votes, or 57 percent, compared to 455 votes, or 43 percent, for Wagner.

“I've always said that I had nothing against Jack,” Kozlowski said. “People just said that 24 years is a long time and they want to see Palatine regenerated with new individuals.”

Except for a disagreement over how the village went about balancing its 2011 budget, the candidates didn't differ much on issues.

Kozlowski, a 39-year-old risk management manager with positions on local youth sports boards, said the village should have kept cutting costs or dipped into its reserves rather than raise taxes by an average of $40 per household to plug a budget hole.

Wagner, a 66-year-old specialty chemicals company executive, sought a seventh 4-year term to see certain initiatives through, including the new police headquarters and the improvement of services from Cook County.