Evergreen's Burke bests Madigan's man in 36th House

By Bob Jaderberg

An Evergreen Park woman emerged the victor by a narrow margin Tuesday in the hotly contested 36th State House District Democratic primary.

Kelly Burke, president of the Evergreen Park Library Board, defeated Michael Macellaio, Angela McMahon and Karen Casey-Sullivan, the former handpicked for the seat by Illinois House Majority Leader Michael Madigan and the latter two alleged by Burke to be “ghost candidates” placed on the ballot to take votes away from her.

Burke and Macellaio both slung a little mud during the campaign, each contending the other was receiving an unfair property tax rate. Burke was forced to answer questions about alleged misuse of Evergreen Park library resources and funds. Attorney James Nally filed a complaint with the Cook County state’s attorney alleging Burke promoted herself in a library newsletter.

Unofficial vote tallies, with 91 of 93 precincts reporting, according to the Cook County clerk’s and Chicago Board of Elections websites, showed Burke in the lead with 6,621 votes (47.7 percent) to Macellaio’s 5,681 (40.9 percent). Casey Sullivan received 785 votes and McMahon got 793 as the two split the remaining 11.5 percent of votes.

Neither Burke nor Macellaio returned The Reporter’s calls for comment Tuesday evening.
 

This is part of the January 28, 2010 online edition of The Reporter.

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