All Elmhurst City Council Incumbents Will Return to the Dais

In a private dining room on the second level of Angelo's Ristorante, Alderman Diane Gutenkauf was thrilled with the news that she will retain her position as 1st Ward alderman. She earned 61 percent of the vote to beat her opponent, John Raniere.

"How am I feeling?" says Gutenkauf, flushed with the recent news of her win. "The adrenaline that was pumping through me earlier today because I was concerned has sort of mellowed out. I'm grateful that we've got the results—and the voters came through."

Gutenkauf says her campaign operated on a meager budget.

"I don't think it's responsible to spend a ton of money for a position like this," she said. "I walked the whole ward myself. I think people respected that."

Also returning to the council will be Steve Hipskind in the 4th Ward. Hipskind garnered 42.75 percent of the votes, edging out his nearest competitor, Mark Anglewicz, who received 39 percent. Their opponent, Darlene Heslop, earned 18.3 percent of the votes.

"While I am obviously disappointed with the outcome, I congratulate Alderman Hipskind on his re-election," Heslop said in a statement. Her statement can be read in its entirety here.

In Ward 6, incumbent Steve Morley handily beat Rachel Kern by garnering 76 percent of the votes, and in Ward 7, incumbent Mark Mulliner earned 52.6 percent of the votes over his opponent, Dean O'Brien.

Newcomer also celebrated a win Tuesday. She convincingly beat her opponent, Paul McLafferty, by earning 61 percent of the votes in the 3rd Ward.