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Sayad, Smith and Chester win in Des Plaines

Longtime Des Plaines Alderman Dick Sayad on Tuesday cruised to re-election, withstanding the challenge of a political newcomer backed by the city's first-term mayor, and despite the alderman's recent criminal trespassing arrest.

The incumbent 4th Ward alderman had 810 votes to challenger Mark Setzer's 500 votes, according to unofficial results.

Sayad, who has served on the city council since 2011, and from 1999 to 2007, has often been a thorn in the side of Mayor Matt Bogusz, who actively campaigned for Setzer, an East Dundee firefighter. Sayad said Tuesday he's willing to work with the mayor, but wants cooperation from him.

"I've been there for 12 years working with four or five mayors. I work with everyone," Sayad said. "To work with everybody, it has to be a two-way street. I am ready to make this city go forward."

On Feb. 25, Sayad entered a private home to discuss a ticket the homeowners received for not clearing a public sidewalk. Sayad said he thought the house was divided into apartments and it was all a mistake. He is due in court Friday.

In another hotly contested race, incumbent 7th Ward Alderman Don Smith defeated challenger Bob Porada 571 to 381 votes, according to unofficial totals. Smith, who was appointed by Bogusz following the death of Joanna Sojka last year, will serve the remaining two years on Sojka's term. Smith served on the council from 1997 to 2009.

In the 6th Ward, Malcolm Chester won with 326 votes, compared to Herman Zelk with 276 votes and Mario Palacios with 68, according to unofficial results. Chester, an attorney and consultant, had the endorsement of outgoing 8-year incumbent Alderman Mark Walsten, who is stepping down due to voter-imposed term limits.

Malcolm Chester
  Des Plaines 4th Ward Alderman Dick Sayad celebrates alongside Linda Forman of Des Plaines as he receives election returns during his successful bid for re-election Tuesday night. Joe Lewnard/jlewnard@dailyherald.com
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