Former Orland Park trustee Dan Calandriello beat LaGrange Trustee Lou Gale to win the Democratic nomination in the 17th Cook County District. (Photo by Jeff Vorva)
Calandriello wins Democratic nod in Cook County’s 17th District
By Steve Metsch
In a race between two men with village board experience, Dan Calandriello defeated Lou Gale in the Democratic primary Tuesday for 17th District Commissioner on the Cook County Board.
According to unofficial results from the Cook County Clerk’s Office with 211 of 217 precincts reporting, Calandriello received 10,467 votes (54 percent) to Gale’s 8,947 votes (46 percent).
After one of the friendlier campaigns in recent memory, there is no animosity between the two, both of whom spoke highly of the other.
In fact, if he beats Republican candidate Sean Morrison in November, Calandriello plans to lean on Gale.
Democratic candidate Lou Gale (right) checks election results with campaign treasurer Jeff Philips (left) and friend Mark Bradford. (Photo by Steve Metsch)
“We’ve already talked. He’s going to go on a little vacation. When he gets back, we’re definitely going to talk,” Calandriello said.
“We will be working together and I look forward to that.”
Asked why he prevailed, Calandriello said: “I had a clear message talking about the issues, particularly public safety, mental health issues. I think the district is ready for someone to address those issues.”
A former prosecutor who worked in the Cook County State’s Attorney’s office, Calandriello wants better gun safety with more invested in getting guns off the streets.
“The message resonated with the voters a little better, maybe,” he said. “Lou ran a good race. He’s a great trustee in La Grange and I look forward to working with him.”
They do have much in common.
Both are attorneys. Gale, 47, is in his second term on the La Grange Village Board. Calandriello, 37, served two terms as an Orland Park village trustee.
Shortly after 9 p.m. Tuesday at Highland Queen, an eatery on 55th Street in La Grange, Gale went from table to table, thanking supporters who had gathered hoping to celebrate.
He then called Calandriello to congratulate him. “It was very friendly. We’ve gotten along the whole time. Sounds like he was glad to get the call.”
Gale is supporting Calandriello in November. “I’d be happy to help him.”
“It’s mixed emotions,” Gale said of losing. “You’re sad for a bad outcome. You would have liked to have won,” Gale said. “At the same, in politics and elections, you can never mistake effort for results.”
Gale didn’t blame the low turnout for his loss.
“I put in all the effort, all the right ways in all the right places and sometimes it doesn’t work out,” Gale said.
“I can’t point to something and think ‘If I just or could have or maybe.’ At the end of the day, the answer is ‘I don’t know’,” Gale said.
Gale’s term on the La Grange Village Board runs to 2025.
“I’m going to stay on the village board and continue to make La Grange the best community I can make it, and continue to advocate for the things I care about,” Gale said.
2 Comments
Local News
Orland Park police station to be named after former chief Tim McCarthy
Spread the loveBy Jeff Vorva Sometime in the near future, Tim McCarthy will be driving by or visiting his old home at the Orland Park police station and he will notice something new. His name. The Village of Orland Park Board of Trustees voted to name the station the Tim McCarthy Police Headquarters at its…
23 EPCHS students achieve perfect attendance
Spread the loveTwenty-three Evergreen Park Community High School students were recognized by Principal Bill Sanderson at a breakfast in the school cafeteria on May 19 for having achieved perfect attendance for the 2022-2023 school year. Perfect attendance is truly an accomplishment, and we commend the following students and their parents for their focus on coming…
Obituaries June 8, 2023
Spread the loveRONALD WALTER ALTPETER Ronald Walter Altpeter, age 79, of Fort Myers, FL, formerly of Argo, passed away May 5. Ron is preceded in death by his parents Walter and Martha (Ficht) Altpeter and brothers Dennis and Tommy. Ron leaves his loving memory with his survivors, beloved wife of 51 years, Patricia; daughter, Lisa…
Chicago man charged in Palos Heights motor vehicle thefts
Spread the loveFrom staff reports A Chicago man was charged last week with possession of stolen motor vehicles after Oak Lawn police found him allegedly driving a van stolen in Palos Heights. Police said they responded to a report of a suspicious vehicle in the parking lot of Good Shepherd Church at 7800 McCarthy Road…
Palos 118 foundation donates $30,000 for new classroom displays
Spread the loveThe Palos 118 Educational Foundation recently made a $30,000 donation to Palos School District 118 for classroom equipment upgrades. The donation will be used for the purchase and installation of new 70-inch interactive displays in all of the district’s third-grade elementary classrooms. “Our hope is that the new displays can be delivered and…
Family-run Bobalicious pops up on Harlem with community focus
Spread the loveBy Isabella Schreck Families can bond and kids can have fun at Bobalicious in Palos Heights, according to co-owner Gustavo Godinez. The cafe, which opened in late November at 12250 S. Harlem Ave., offers dozens of teas, smoothie and other drink combinations. It sells boba toppings and features free popcorn, cotton candy, foosball,…
Moraine Valley to host summer Movie in the Moonlight series
Spread the loveMoraine Valley Community College is hosting its popular Movie in the Moonlight series this summer. The college will show three movies on a 16-foot inflatable screen at the Gateway, between Buildings F and M, on campus, 9000 W. College Parkway, Palos Hills. Admission is free. The first movie is the Oscar-nominated “Puss in…
Shepard JROTC closes year with awards ceremony
Spread the loveThe U.S. Air Force Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps program at Shepard High School concluded its academic year recently with an awards ceremony honoring cadets who distinguished themselves. Many national organizations presented awards to students for scholastic excellence, JROTC leadership and involvement, conduct, and military bearing. Students named the top cadets in their…
Worth passes parking restrictions for better safety
Spread the loveBy Joe Boyle A series of parking regulations have been established in Worth in an effort to provide improved public safety within sections of the village. Trustee Brad Urban, who is the head of the public works committee, mentioned that an ordinance was being considered to eliminate parking on the south side of…
Contruction headaches starting, splash pad coming to Palos Heights
Spread the loveBy Jeff Vorva Road construction time is in full swing and already residents of Palos Heights are experiencing some headaches. At a brief June 6 city council meeting that had four of eight aldermen absent, Alderman Jack Clifford said that an Oak Park Avenue construction project had started and is inconveniencing residents along…
Neighbors
Pritzker puts final stamp on $50.4 billion state spending plan
By ANDREW ADAMS & JERRY NOWICKI Capitol News Illinois [email protected] CHICAGO – Gov. JB Pritzker signed the state’s operating budget for the upcoming fiscal year on Wednesday, marking the first spending plan of his second term as governor. The $50.4 billion spending plan anticipates about $50.6 billion in revenues for the fiscal year that begins…
New law limits venue for constitutional lawsuits to Sangamon, Cook counties
By PETER HANCOCK Capitol News Illinois [email protected] SPRINGFIELD – People who file lawsuits in state courts challenging the constitutionality of a state law, administrative rule or executive order will now have to file those cases in either Sangamon or Cook counties. Gov. JB Pritzker on Tuesday signed House Bill 3062, which applies only to cases…
As trial begins, politically connected businessman claims feds set him up to bribe legislator
By HANNAH MEISEL Capitol News Illinois [email protected] CHICAGO – Nearly four years after his name first surfaced in connection with a bribe arrangement between two sitting lawmakers, politically connected businessman James Weiss is finally having his day in court. Weiss, who is married to former state Rep. Toni Berrios, D-Chicago – the daughter of longtime…
Pritzker set to consider signing more than 500 bills in the next three months
By JERRY NOWICKI Capitol News Illinois [email protected] SPRINGFIELD – Illinois lawmakers passed 566 bills through both chambers of the General Assembly in the recently concluded legislative session – all but one of them in May. It sets the table for an approximate three-month bill-signing season for Gov. JB Pritzker. That’s because the state’s constitution gives…
Capitol Cast: End of Session Review
Capitol News Illinois · End of Session Review The Capitol News Illinois team breaks down the highlights of the just-completed 2023 spring session.
Cannabis regulatory reform bill fails to advance in spring legislative session
By NIKA SCHOONOVER Capitol News Illinois [email protected] SPRINGFIELD – A proposed cannabis reform bill won’t get further consideration until at least the General Assembly’s fall veto session after stakeholders failed to come to an agreement during the spring session’s final stretch. Rep. La Shawn Ford, a Chicago Democrat and the bill’s sponsor, told Capitol News…
Top Democrats announce budget ‘deal,’ but details are scant as last-minute negotiations continue
By JERRY NOWICKI, HANNAH MEISEL & PETER HANCOCK Capitol News Illinois [email protected] UPDATE: The budget was filed as a 3,409-page amendment to Senate Bill 250 late Wednesday evening. This story has been updated to reflect the latest developments as of Wednesday night. SPRINGFIELD – Gov. JB Pritzker and Democratic leaders announced Wednesday they’ve agreed…
Legislature approves bill to tighten restrictions on red-light camera industry
By ANDREW ADAMS Capitol News Illinois [email protected] SPRINGFIELD — Lawmakers in Springfield have unanimously approved a measure that would place new restrictions on the red-light and speed camera industry’s involvement in state and local elections and government. House Bill 3903 would ban automatic traffic enforcement companies or their officers from donating to candidates for public…
State board of education looking for new providers in preschool ‘deserts’
By PETER HANCOCK Capitol News Illinois [email protected] SPRINGFIELD – Even though Gov. JB Pritzker has yet to sign the budget bill lawmakers just passed, the Illinois State Board of Education is seeking applicants for some of the new money contained in that bill. ISBE is looking for new providers to offer preschool programs in areas…
Pritzker touts new budget’s higher education spending
By PETER HANCOCK Capitol News Illinois [email protected] SPRINGFIELD – Gov. JB Pritzker began a tour of the state to tout the new state budget that lawmakers passed last week, stopping at two university campuses Wednesday to highlight the spending plan’s increased funding for higher education. “With this new budget, we’re making it possible for nearly…
Way to go Dan we’re behind you
Dan is a great guy and how wonderful that it was a friendly campaign. How unusual! I am behind you all the way!