Affordability and anger with national policy were two of the key topics voters raised Tuesday at primary polling locations throughout the south and southwest suburbs.
“I came out because I really don’t like the way things are going,” said Jeramiah Cook, who voted in Homewood. “Decided to be the change I want to see.”
Cook said affordability was his main concern, though he was also worried about international policy.
“I would rather focus on things that we got going on right now, here,” Cook said.
Brian Harney, who also voted in Homewood, said he votes in every election.
“Most of the issues that concern me are beyond the local. They’re in Washington,” Harney said. “I can’t even begin to describe my disgust with the state of American politics, and I’m sorry, it’s mainly coming from the MAGA crew.”
Harvey resident Yvonne McMurtry said she was unhappy with current political leadership.
“Hopefully we get some strong leaders, new leadership,” McMurtry said. “Especially in Harvey.”
Municipal elections are not until 2027, but the Cook County Board seat that represents the 5th district, which includes Harvey, is among those up for election this year, with Dolton Trustee Kiana Belcher challenging appointed incumbent Kisha McCaskill in the Democratic primary.
McMurtry said her main concerns included high property taxes and affordability. She said she was also worried about the war in Iran.
“I don’t think that, in these wars, that we should be bombing everybody, at will, just because we can,” McMurtry said.
Ashley Coleman, who also voted in Harvey, said her main concern was a lack of programs to support vulnerable people, such as seniors and single mothers.
“I think there’s not a lot of programs like there used to be,” Coleman said. “There might be, but it’s very hard to get them.”
Coleman, who is 25, said she does her best to help her own aging grandparents.
“I would love for there to be more programs that they can join or be a part of, instead of just being on a waiting list,” Coleman said.
Coleman said she votes in every primary and feels strongly about the importance of her right to vote.
“Just seeing the change that happens when you do vote, and then for us to finally have rights to vote,” said Coleman, who is Black. “When I made 18, that was the first thing I wanted to do, was vote.”
In Tinley Park and Orland Park, voters said civic duty and national issues drew them to the polls.
Some residents, such as Hamde Nassar, voting in Tinley Park, said they were not aware of the referendums were on the ballot.
James Connolly, of Tinley Park, said he voted because he wants to have a voice in Washington.
“There are a lot of the politics going on in Washington and picking who is going to be there and representing us is important,” Connolly said.
He said he works for the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District and wanted to use the time they gave him off to vote.
Shanericka Harris, a Homewood resident, said she voted because of all the development in Homewood. She said the election was also important because it highlighted local issues and officials,
“Homewood is doing really good with their resources and bringing new things into the community,” Harris said. “The election reminds you to be aware of what’s going on around you and to be proactive in what you want to see or not see.”
A few miles from the Tinley Park police station polling center, a few crossing guards worked at Helen Keller Elementary school to direct both student dismissal and polling traffic.
Mike Kempszynski said a voter got stuck in the dismissal line and was not happy. He said he had not seen students in school during polling in more than five years.
“I think we did pretty good for only getting one stuck,” he said.
In Orland Park, where a contentious committeeperson race was underway, voters still focused on national politics along with finding the right polling location.
More than 15 voters within the span of a half hour were redirected from the Orland Township Hall to the civic center because their voting address had changed.
Alonzo Smith was one of them. He said it’s important to vote as a Black man after he and so many others fought for that right. He said he served in the Vietnam War
“I gave up something over there for the right, for me, and everybody else, to be able to vote,” Smith said. “I’ve been telling my children, you know, just after all the things we’ve gone through, water hoses, dogs sicked on us, you got to get out and go vote.”
Helen Flaherty, a voter in Orland Park, said she chose to vote because she wants Pritzker out of office due to his COVID-19 pandemic restrictions, among other crime and tax issues. She said she planned to vote for Ted Dabrowski in the Republican primary for governor.
In Dolton, Fire Capt. Pete McCain was outside Diekman School Tuesday afternoon asking voters to consider Wesam Shahed for the 6th District Cook County Board seat. McCain said Shahed was endorsed by the Dolton firefighter’s union after he approached them with hopes to bring a trauma hospital to the south suburbs.
“He was very passionate about it, which caught our attention, because obviously fresh blood coming into the area who want to help out the area is a necessity for us being first responders,” McCain said.
McCain said he is all too aware of the importance of time when it comes to ambulance rides, and a nearby trauma hospital would save lives.
“Obviously there’s no promises, but anyone who’s willing to listen and hear the needs of our South Side communities and our residents has got our attention,” he said.
Dolton resident Kimberly Murray said she came to Diekman School Tuesday to vote for candidates most likely to push back again President Donald Trump.
“I just want to see him gone,” Murray said.
She said she voted for Jesse Jackson Jr. in the 2nd Congressional District. For candidates she doesn’t know, she joked she “checks all the females.
Fred Barnes, voting at New Life Celebration Church of God in Dolton, said he votes in every election and as Tuesday’s primary approached, was turned off by those “bickering at everybody and calling names.”
