Alderman Fuesting re-elected in West Chicago Ward 7

Incumbent Alderman Matt Fuesting easily won re-election in West Chicago’s Ward 7.

With all six precincts reporting Tuesday, Fuesting has 236 votes while political newcomer Graig Neville has 106 votes, according to unofficial results.

Fuesting, a member of the city council since 2006, was the only West Chicago alderman who faced a challenge at the polls Tuesday. All the rest ran unopposed.

The outcome in Ward 7 shows voters are pleased with the city council’s efforts to streamline staff, reduce the budget and provide police protection, Fuesting said.

“(Voters in Ward 7) see me consistently advocating for them and working on their behalf,” he said.

The 49-year-old attorney was supported in his bid for re-election by his 13 fellow aldermen and West Chicago Mayor Mike Kwasman.

Neville, 40, has a background in civil engineering that he said would bring a different perspective to the city council.

During the campaign, Fuesting emphasized his record, including voting five years in a row to reduce the city’s annual budget.

Neville said he would use his expertise in transportation infrastructure to make West Chicago’s streets — including those in his Ward 7 neighborhood — safer.

Both candidates offered innovative ideas for boosting the local economy.

Fuesting proposed a campus in downtown West Chicago that would include the park district and the College of DuPage to bring more people into the downtown area.

Neville, who volunteers with We Grow Dreams greenhouse in West Chicago, which provides training and jobs for people with disabilities, suggested a test aquaponic program for locally grown food could also create local jobs.