Barrington Hills village president McLaughlin re-elected, board races too close to call

Barrington Hills Village President Martin McLaughlin defeated challenger Louis Iacovelli Tuesday and earned a second term in office by a margin of 68 votes, according to unofficial totals.

The results in the race to fill three spots on the village board were even tighter. Incumbent Colleen Konicek Hannigan, who got 537 votes, is the only sure winner. Just four votes separate challengers Robert M. Zubak, Paula Jacobsen and Matthew Vondra for second through fourth place. Zubak has 488 votes, Jacobsen 487 and Vondra 484.

Rounding out the board race were challenger Ralph Sesso with 401 votes and incumbent Elaine M. Ramesh with 397.

McLaughlin got 556 votes, 53.2 percent of the total, and Iacovelli got 488, around 46.8 percent.

All of the precincts in Lake, Cook, Kane and McHenry counties are accounted for but there still could be votes left to count from early voting, mail-in ballots.

McLaughlin accepted his victory at around 11 p.m. and said it is an honor to serve the community for another term.

"I think they've recognized the work that both Colleen and I put in separated us from the rest of the candidates, which makes sense based on the success we've had," McLaughlin said.

McLaughlin ran on a slate with Hannigan called Unite Barrington Hills. Both were first elected in 2013.

Even though Iacovelli lost, depending on how the vote count turns out, both of his slate mates might earn seats on the board. Iacovelli ran on a slate with Jacobsen and Zubak called Your Barrington Hills. The political newcomers ran on the promise to promote transparency, engage residents and bring decision-making into the public view.

McLaughlin reflected on the low turnout this year and estimated that around 200 to 300 voters who cast ballots in November stayed home Tuesday.

"I'm not really sure what to make of it," McLaughlin said. "People may just be satisfied with the village and didn't decide to come out and vote."

McLaughlin said he was proud of what he and the board accomplished over the last four years including reducing spending, ending a long-standing legal dispute with Sears and taking steps to unite the village.