Incumbents declare victory in Buffalo Grove

The ultimate result of the race for Buffalo Grove village board will depend on how many votes write-in candidate Jeffrey Battinus received, and that number was unclear Tuesday night as those votes won’t be reported for a few days.

As for the other three candidates — all incumbents — for three spots on the board, the results are in with 18 of 18 precincts in Lake County and 11 of 11 precincts in Cook County reporting.

The top vote-getter among those on the ballot was Beverly Sussman, who received 1,424 votes between the two counties, followed by Lester Ottenheimer III with 1,337 and Andrew Stein with 1,309.

Battinus would have been on the ballot, but he was challenged off by Stein, who noted that Battinus had failed to file a required receipt of economic interest statement.

“I’m very thrilled to be re-elected,” Sussman said. “I’m just very very happy about it. I want to thank all the residents of Buffalo Grove for their support. I’m thrilled they had enough confidence in me to re-elect me for another 4-year term. I will always be there for them.”

Ottenheimer said he was confident that he would prevail, based on the vote totals and sampling in a few of the precincts.

“I’m elated,” he said.

“I’m glad that the people of Buffalo Grove have confidence in me and have elected me to a full 4-year term now,” added Ottenheimer, who had gained his seat initially by appointment and said he felt he now has a little political capital with which to work.

Stein said, “I feel spent. It’s been a long last couple of weeks. From what I can tell, based on the write-in numbers from the precincts, I am declaring that I have been returned for four years. I want to thank the residents of Buffalo Grove for giving me the opportunity to serve for a full four years.”

Stein was elected two years ago to fill the remainder of the term of recalled Trustee Lisa Stone.

Battinus couldn’t be reached immediately for comment.