Out gay political candidates in Evanston and Oak Park did well during the April 9 elections.
In the 6th Ward, aldermanic incumbent Mark Tendam easily defeated challenger Mark Sloane, according to EvanstonNow.com . Tendam drew 66 percent of the vote to 34 percent for Sloane, with all eight precincts reporting.
Also, lesbian Village of Oak Park Trustee Collette Lueck retained her seat. The Cook County Board of Elections website showed that Lueck received 33.15 percent of the vote, with all 38 precincts reporting. (The top three vote-getters won seats, with Lueck placing second behind Peter Barber.)
In other news, three years after losing the race for Illinois treasurer, Robin Kelly is now in the U.S. House of Representatives, succeeding Jesse Jackson Jr.
According to the Chicago Tribune, Kellywho launched her campaign on a strong gun-control themewas joined at her victory party by Nathaniel Pendleton and Cleopatra Cowley-Pendleton, the parents of teenager Hadiya Pendleton. Hadiya was killed by gunfire on the South Side little more than a week after performing in Washington, D.C., during President Obama's inauguration weekend festivities.
Kelly previously served as chief of staff to former state Treasurer Alexi Giannoulias, and made an unsuccessful bid in 2010 to succeed him.
Jackson has pled guilty to illegally using $750,000 in campaign contributions; his wife, Sandi, vacated her 7th Ward Chicago aldermanic seat and has pled guilty to tax fraud.