Burke wins second term as Evergreen Park mayor

Kelly Burke will return as mayor of Evergreen Park after recording a resounding victory over Bill Lorenz in the general election Tuesday night.

With 12 of 12 precincts reporting, unofficial totals had Burke with 2,753 votes, or 84.53%. Lorenz, who served as public works director for the village for 27 years before retiring, had 504 unofficial votes, or 15.47%.

This will be the second term for Burke, who also served as a Democratic state representative for the 36th District before retiring over a year ago. She was victorious when she ran for Evergreen Park trustee in 2019.

Burke became the first female mayor of the village back in 2021, replacing Jim Sexton, who retired after 20 years at the helm. Burke said she was confident of victory based on what she was hearing from residents throughout the community.

“We did an extensive door-to-door campaign and the feedback we were getting was really positive,” Burke said during her victory party at Barraco’s in Evergreen Park. “We have invested in bringing in businesses and we have invested in our youths. We have focused on public safety with both our police and fire departments.”

Along with Lorenz, Terri Daley and Ryan Reitz both ran as trustees on his independent ticket. Both Daley and Reitz were soundly defeated. Daley had an official tally of 8.20% while Reitz had 6.25%.

It was a successful night for not only Burke but other members of the Good Government Party. Returning will be Village Clerk Kelly Duffy, who replaced Cathy Aparo, who retired last year. Incumbent veteran trustees Norm Anderson (28.62%), Carol Kyle (28.68%) and Mark Phelan (28.25%) will all be returning for another term.

With victory apparent, Burke talked to the large crowd that attended the event.

“We were confident that we were going to win,” Burke told the crowd. “But I have to admit that we didn’t think it was going to be this big.”

Sexton also attended the victory party event and said he was not surprised Burke won by a large margin.

“They worked hard and they deserve it,” the former mayor said. “They practice together and work together. It’s like they say, ‘if you practice together, work hard you get results’.”

Burke said she was going to savor the victory but said she would continue to reach out to constituents and serve them to the best of her ability.

“People like what we are doing here,” Burke said. “Can we do better? Yes we can. But I’ve always said that I will listen to everyone and work with them.”