On North Chicago’s April 4 ballot, the current mayor will only have write-in challengers, while the city clerk and treasurer are running without opposition. However, further down the ballot, three candidates are eager to change the dynamics of the City Council in this community of 30,000 residents.
Mayor Leon Rockingham Jr., who has held office since 2005, is up against two registered write-in candidates, Charles Allen January Jr. and Anthony D. Coleman. Incumbent Clerk Lori L. Collins and incumbent Treasurer Kenneth Robinson are both running unopposed. Rockingham, Collins, and Robinson are all affiliated with the Democratic Party.
Rockingham and January successfully contested Coleman’s name on the ballot because Coleman failed to submit a statement of economic interest to the county, according to Collins. Following this challenge, January withdrew from the race, as stated by Collins.
Rockingham also mentioned that he questioned January’s candidacy as well; January stepped back knowing he would likely lose that challenge. Some forms submitted by January were notarized but lacked dates in certain places, Rockingham noted. Both January and Coleman intended to run as independents.
According to the Lake County Elections website, those aiming to be write-in candidates must file a “declaration of intent to be a write-in” at least 61 days before an election. However, if someone’s nomination papers for candidacy are effectively challenged, that candidate can register as a write-in up until a week before Election Day. Only those who complete this form will have their write-in votes counted.
Rockingham expressed his desire to keep pushing for economic development and highlighted plans to transform a former industrial brownfield at Sheridan Road and Martin Luther King Jr. Drive into a “shovel-ready site.”
“We’re closer now than we ever have been to bringing in a hotel and possibly a movie theater,” Rockingham said.
He added he is “very proud” that the city’s Police Department is implementing body cameras and stun guns as alternatives to lethal force while expressing his intention to work on improvements along Route 41 and explore ways of selling more city water locally.
This year’s ballot features four City Council seats open for election. Alderman Carl Evans from the 3rd Ward is running unopposed on the Democratic line. The remaining three incumbents are facing challengers; among them is Alderman Kathy January from the 7th Ward who will not appear on the ballot after her opponent Paula Carballido successfully contested her nomination papers. Kathy January is married to Charles January.
Carballido objected based on Kathy January listing her address in North Chicago even though her residence actually has a postal address of Great Lakes. Great Lakes has its own post office and ZIP code but falls within North Chicago’s corporate limits; Kathy Janury did mention Great Lakes in her street address.
The North Chicago Municipal Officers Electoral Board – made up of Rockingham, Collins, and Alderman Ernest Fisher from the 1st Ward – voted 2-1 in favor of Carballido’s challenge stating that Kathy January “created voter confusion by listing a ‘North Chicago’ address on her petition sheets instead of her ‘Great Lakes’ residence address.” Collins was the one dissenting vote.
Kathy January will no longer appear on any ballots but has now registered as a write-in candidate; she declined an interview when approached by reporters during Monday night’s City Council meeting.
Carballido, age 34, works at Skokie Valley Laundry and Dry Cleaners in Highwood and is running as an independent candidate. She previously served as a community service liaison for late Democratic state Rep. Eddie Washington from Waukegan; she has also been part of North Chicago’s Zoning Board of Appeals as well as serving both as president and board member at Exchange Club of North Chicago-a local service organization.
Migrating to North Chicago just over four years ago gave Carballido new perspective; before moving here she attempted unsuccessfully for township trustee in Waukegan back in 2009 where she finished sixth out of twelve candidates vying for four spots.
“The best thing that could have happened to me was losing that election,” Carballido remarked adding it helped her realize one doesn’t need an elected position just to engage with their community.
“North Chicago has a diverse community. One thing I see lacking is Hispanic representation,” stated Carballido who identifies as Hispanic herself-27 percent of North Chicago residents identified similarly according to census data collected in 2010.
Past election results indicate that only thirteen votes were recorded during the race for seventh ward alderman back in 2013-all going toward Kathy January who faced no opposition then either.
North Chicago Alderman Torrance Markham representing Ward Five can be seen seated left during City Council meetings.
The race continues with incumbent Torrance Markham vying against Kenneth Smith-a photographer also serving part-time assistant pastor at Mount Moriah Christian Center located near Waukegan-who’s officially running under Democratic affiliation while Markham campaigns independently after opting not seek out party nomination according Smith himself.
Elected initially back around 2013-Markham also chose not respond when asked about comment Monday evening recently amidst his campaign efforts regarding Smith’s pledge towards voters directly appealing saying he’s heard concerns raised about difficulties residents face attempting contact him often citing poor communication channels available currently within their respective wards having little response options available besides through constituents reaching out directly via phone calls or emails.
Kenneth Smith is running for alderman representing North Chicago’s fifth ward.
Smith emphasized wanting assist drawing grocery stores into town claiming “North Chicago seems poised towards growth ahead.”
“I carry compassion towards everyone,” Smith declared stressing how he intends staying present actively engaged alongside people during everyday life mentioning they recognize him often through church gatherings & photography events alike.”
Alderman Markham currently faces seven domestic violence charges resulting from an incident occurring October twenty-seventh involving others present reports indicate earlier coverage surrounding legal matters revealed related records filed accordingly bearing witness testimony against him shortly thereafter upon arrest detaining $15K bail reduced later down allowing release subsequently once lowered eventually settling finally around half amount total pending investigations ongoing still awaiting resolution courts taking place presently all while media coverage rolls over latest developments unfold regularly updating public awareness concerning them coming forth lately overall pointing spotlight issues rising under scrutiny emerging issues arising throughout political climate currently affecting community dynamics significantly especially given recent turbulence surrounding allegations brought forward directly impacting credibility raised concerns many locals voiced loudly questioning trust reliability leadership qualities needed represent interests properly inside local government structures so forth moving forward collectively aiming restore sense normalcy stability confidence maintained sustainable avenues connecting every individual involved fully encourage responsible discourse fostering shared goals achievable concerted manner each step taken proactively working progress attainable strategies together strengthening foundations built strong resilient relationships formed rooted core principles upheld society thrives best achieved unity collaboration harmony integrated successfully optimize potential gains realized long term focused objectives achieved mutually beneficial solutions carried forth consistently articulated aims clarity precision understood widely shared across board set expectations established clear guidelines adhered strictly promoting positive outcomes seen throughout processes implemented respective teams assigned devoted resources ensuring effectiveness tackled diligently head-on.”
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Kenneth Smith is running for alderman representing North Chicago’s fifth ward.
Smith emphasized wanting assist drawing grocery stores into town claiming “North Chicago seems poised towards growth ahead.”
“I carry compassion towards everyone,” Smith declared stressing how he intends staying present actively engaged alongside people during everyday life mentioning they recognize him often through church gatherings & photography events alike.”
Alderman Markham currently faces seven domestic violence charges resulting from an incident occurring October twenty-seventh involving others present reports indicate earlier coverage surrounding legal matters revealed related records filed accordingly bearing witness testimony against him shortly thereafter upon arrest detaining $15K bail reduced later down allowing release subsequently once lowered eventually settling finally around half amount total pending investigations ongoing still awaiting resolution courts taking place presently all while media coverage rolls over latest developments unfold regularly updating public awareness concerning them coming forth lately overall pointing spotlight issues rising under scrutiny emerging issues arising throughout political climate currently affecting community dynamics significantly especially given recent turbulence surrounding allegations brought forward directly impacting credibility raised concerns many locals voiced loudly questioning trust reliability leadership qualities needed represent interests properly inside local government structures so forth moving forward collectively aiming restore sense normalcy stability confidence maintained sustainable avenues connecting every individual involved fully encourage responsible discourse fostering shared goals achievable concerted manner each step taken proactively working progress attainable strategies together strengthening foundations built strong resilient relationships formed rooted core principles upheld society thrives best achieved unity collaboration harmony integrated successfully optimize potential gains realized long term focused objectives achieved mutually beneficial solutions carried forth consistently articulated aims clarity precision understood widely shared across board set expectations established clear guidelines adhered strictly promoting positive outcomes seen throughout processes implemented respective teams assigned devoted resources ensuring effectiveness tackled diligently head-on.”
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