Reboletti Behind In Addison Township Supervisor Race

ELMHURST, IL – Republican Dennis Reboletti, Addison Township's supervisor for the last eight years, looks to be out of a job.

According to the latest unofficial election returns, Democrat Bobby Hernandez received 4,854 votes to Reboletti's 4,587. On Tuesday night, Hernandez had a 14-vote lead. On Thursday, with mail-in ballots coming in, his lead grew to more than 250.

Democrats are ahead in the race for the township board, which is now entirely Republican. Democrats Debbie Sandstrom, Joey Moore and Max Ashrafi are ahead for three of the township board's four seats, while Republican incumbent Donna Tovello may get the fourth.

GOP incumbents Matthew Lozich, Gus Leventis and Diana Kosmach may have lost their positions. But the vote totals are close, which means they could still win.

DuPage County has moved to the Democratic column in recent elections, as has been the case in suburbs across the country. But until Tuesday's election, the GOP has held on to many of DuPage County's township governments.

In a news release Tuesday night, Reid McCollum, chairman of the DuPage County Democratic Party, claimed victory in 48 out of 49 contested partisan races in township elections.

He called it a "seismic shift" in local politics.

"Voters have made it crystal clear that they want leaders who will bring transparency, fairness, and forward-thinking solutions to local government," McCollum said.

Politically, it's been a tough few years for Reboletti, a former Republican state representative. He has lost races for state senator and representative.

In November, voters passed a referendum to do away with the township road district, eliminating the highway commissioner's position. Before the referendum, Reboletti told voters the measure would save a salary.

What Reboletti did not tell residents in his public statements was that he would see his pay rise by nearly 50 percent, to $125,000 after Tuesday's election. The township's salary resolution, adopted last year, referred to the position as "Supervisor/Highway Commissioner."

Patch reported on the pay raise in a January story.

When Reboletti started in 2017, his salary was $54,000.

Patch left a message for comment with Reboletti early Wednesday morning.

Addison Township includes north Elmhurst.

In Illinois, townships have three mandatory responsibilities – assess properties for tax purposes, maintain roads in unincorporated areas and provide "general assistance" to the poor in limited circumstances. Townships often have assumed other duties as well.