Welch Wins Big In Proviso SD209 Race...

Proviso School Board President Emanuel "Chris" Welch, who endured the most negative campaign in school board history, won re-election on Tuesday by a landslide. Here's a break down of the votes:

HS Member Bd. Of Ed. Proviso Township 209 - 4yr.
9 Candidates - Vote for 4
Precincts Counted: 120 of 120 (100.00%)
Candidates Votes %
Emanuel ''Chris'' Welch (NP) 7,568 13.56%
Reatha ''Sue'' Henry (NP) 5,724 10.25%
Daniel J. Adams (NP) 7,023 12.58%
Brian M. Cross (NP) 6,999 12.54%
Maria Desena (NP) 4,689 8.40%
Kevin McDermott (NP) 6,842 12.26%
Carlos Anderson (NP) 4,880 8.74%
Rebecca M. Smith (NP) 6,490 11.62%
Arbdella ''Della'' Patterson (NP) 5,614 10.06%


A closer look at the numbers reveal that Welch placed first out of all candidates in Bellwood, Broadview, Northlake and Stone Park. He placed second in Maywood, Melrose Park, and Hillside. Fourth in Berkeley and Westchester, and sixth in Forest Park. Congratulations to Welch and his slate mates Dan Adams and Brian Cross.

Early Voting Starts Today!!!

Early voting starts today and ends April 2 for the April 7 consolidated elections. Voting hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to noon Saturday.

Polling places in Proviso Township are:

Bellwood Village Hall, 3200 Washington Blvd.
Melrose Park Village Hall, 1000 N. 25th Ave.
Whitcomb Building (near Maywood Courthouse), 1311 Maybrook Square, Room 109
Here's information from the Cook County Clerk's Office:

The April 7 election is both a consolidated general election -- with more than 3,000 village, school and township candidates on the ballot -- and a special general election to fill the 5th Congressional District seat left vacant by White House Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel.

Those choosing to vote early do not need to provide a reason or excuse. Early voters are required to display valid identification before voting, such as a current driver's license, state-issued ID card or another government-issued photo ID.

Once a voter has participated in Early Voting, they cannot change their ballot or vote on Election Day. For more information about Early Voting or to confirm your voter registration, visit www.voterinfonet.com.

Recommendations for Bellwood SD88, Proviso High School District 209 and Township are as follows:

For Bellwood SD88:
Ronald C. Anderson 186
Patricia Crawford 187
Beverly Graham 188
LeKeya Sherrill 189

For Proviso High School District 209:
Emanuel "Chris" Welch 201
Reatha "Sue" Henry 202
Daniel J. Adams 203
Brian M. Cross 204

For Proviso Township:

Township Supervisor Proviso
Vote for

Michael A. Corrigan 81

Township Clerk Proviso
Vote for

Readith Ester 83

Township Assessor Proviso
Vote for

Steven J. Zawaski 85

Proviso Township Collector

Vote for

Eric R. Sawchuk 87

Township Trustee 4-Yr Proviso
Vote for 4

Don Sloan 89
Timothy Gillian 90
Anthony "Tony" Williams 91
Mari Herrell 92

Joseph Cross, Father Of PTHS Board Member Brian Cross, has Died...

Joseph P. "Joe" Cross, Sr., age 78, native of Limerick, Ireland, of Berkeley, retired employee of People’s Gas, former member of the Limerick Pipe Band, Shannon Rovers Pipe Band and the 3rd Division Army Band, and Avid Golfer at Bartlett Hills Golf Club; beloved husband and Childhood Sweetheart of Mary Ann "Maisie", nee Murphy; loving father of John, Joe (Liz), Mary Ann and Brian (the late Sandy); loving grandfather of Jack, Michael, Anna and Kennedy Catherine; cherished brother of of Bety and Kathleen and the late John; devoted son of John and Catherine, nee Noonan; fond uncle of Ginny (John) Detterbeck and Barbara (Kevin) Hogan and many nieces, nephews, grand-nieces and grand-nephews. Joe’s family wants to extend a special thanks to the staff at LUMC, especially Dr. Thomas McKiernan and Nurse Mary O’Looney for their kindness and care. Visitation Wednesday, 3:00 p.m .until 8:00 p.m. and Thursday, 8:15 a.m. until time of funeral 9:15 a.m. at Gibbons Funeral Home, 134 South York Road, (½ mile North of Saint Charles Road), Elmhurst. Mass of Christian Burial 10:00 a.m. at St. Domitilla Catholic Church, Hillside. Interment Queen of Heaven Catholic Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Kennedy Catherine Cross Trust Fund, Chase Bank, 11211 W. Cermak, Westchester, IL 60154. For funeral information please call 1-630-832-0018 or www.gibbonsfuneralhome.com

Students First Party Candidates Off And Running For PTHS 209!!!

Emanuel "Chris" Welch, Reatha "Sue" Henry, Daniel J. Adams, and Brian M. Cross are off and running for Proviso High School District 209. Visit their website for more information at www.newstudentsfirstparty.com to learn about them and their accomplishments.