Candidates Play Nice as Campaigning Comes to an End

Election campaigning in Chicago Heights took a strange turn Tuesday morning in Ward Four, a friendly turn.  

The candidates, Joshua Deabel and Pete Bartolomei sounded more like best buddies than political enemies, as both are vying to take Joe Faso's vacated alderman seat.

“Win, lose or draw, if I lose I’m behind him,” Bartolomei said, pointing at Deabel. "I’d help him in a heartbeat. We need to work on programs together.” 

Deabel shared Bartolomei's sentiment, pointing out their common goals for Ward Four.

“We care about this neighborhood, he’s a good guy, we both care about our community,” Deabel said. 

As both were greeting voters at St. Paul's Lutheran School parking lot, mayoral candidate Joe Faso pulled up. Faso got out and shook hands with both candidates. 

“It’s a beautiful day," Faso said. "We are hoping we get more people out to vote. The turnout is pretty light so far."

Faso commented on his long day completing the proverbial homestretch of election campaigning.

"I’ve been here off and on since 6 a.m.," Faso said. "We seem to be comfortable, I say the other side feels the same way. We’ll see what happens."

In Ward Six, mayoral candidate David Gonzalez was still on the campaign trail as he passed out palm cards in the parking lot of St. Mark United Church. 

“It’s been a good turnout," said Gonzalez. "We’ve run a positive campaign. I appreciate the support. I look forward to serving and improving the life of all the residents in this fine city.”

But the air was not as calm in the Third Ward, at the Chicago Heights Water Department voting site.Candidates from the Unity Party and the Integrity Party stayed several feet from one another.

Some Chicago Heights residents who declined to give their names carried signs saying, "Joe Faso said 'NO' to us every time it mattered." 

Election judge for the site, Olga Gonzalez, said they only had 36 voters before noon.

“It’s been slow today,” Gonzalez added.

On the "Hill” on the southwest side of Chicago Heights, candidates Ronald Lucarini and Sonia Perez were cordial with one another as they both passed out palm cards in front of Garfield School.

“This is not an all out war," Perez said. "Good luck to both of us. At the end of the day we need to take care of our community.” 

As both Second Ward candidates were greeting voters, a long white limousine with the words elect Joe Faso Mayor pulled to the curb. Two young women got out and went into the school.

Election judge at Garfield Gerald Gerardi, a former custodian at the school, said there were only 37 voters before noon. 

“A lot of people voted early,” Gerardi said.