Ward re-elected as South Elgin village president
Incumbent Steve Ward coasted to an easy victory in the race for South Elgin village president, according to unofficial results late Tuesday.
Ward received 923 votes, almost 51 percent of the total, while Trustee Lisa Guess had 616 votes and former Trustee Bill DiFulvio had 280 votes, with all precincts reporting.
"I'm feeling fantastic," Ward said as results came in. "Now the village can continue running as it has been. We've been on a great path with what we have been doing."
Both challengers were familiar faces in the village.
Guess, 57, is serving her fourth term on the board. Despite her loss Tuesday, she will remain on the village board for at least two more years as a trustee.
She said she congratulated Ward on his victory Tuesday night.
"I guess I'm a little surprised," she said about her loss. "Everybody that I talked to, I heard positive things (about my campaign)."
As for why voters chose to stick with Ward, "I'm not sure," she said. "I guess maybe because they think that things are going well in the village. But time will tell."
DiFulvio, 55, served 12 years on the board until he lost re-election in 2013 - when he ran as a write-in candidate - and again in 2015.
Ward, 58, was elected to his first full term as village president in April 2015, after being appointed to the post in November 2013 following the death of Jim Hansen. He previously had served as a trustee since 2001.
During his campaign, Ward said he wanted to encourage multifamily housing development along the Fox River, work with the Illinois Department of Transportation to widen McLean Boulevard from Spring Street to Stearns Road, and continue to beautify Route 31.
Guess said she will continue to push to find a way to staff the police department 24 hours a day, rather than only when village hall is open.
During her campaign, Guess also said he wanted to curtail village expenses. Ward staunchly defended the village's fiscal policy, saying officials have been prudent with spending.