2023 election results for DeKalb City Council

Editor’s Note: April 4 Election results will start being published after polls close Tuesday. Unofficial results can be found via live updates Tuesday night at shawlocal/daily-chronicle/election and also at dekalb.il.clerkserve.com/?cat=49.

DeKALB – DeKalb voters had the chance Tuesday to elect the next DeKalb City Council representatives for Wards 1, 3, 5 and 7.

DeKalb City Council terms are four years.

Polls closed at 7 p.m. Tuesday. Voters should remember that results aren’t certified for two weeks and write-in results won’t be known Tuesday.

Incumbent Carolyn Morris ran unopposed in her reelection bid seeking a second term as DeKalb’s First Ward Alderwoman. DeKalb wards 3, 5 and 7 have contested races.

The DeKalb County Clerk and Recorder’s Office updated its election webpage to show 65 out of 65 precincts reporting as of 10:30 p.m. Tuesday. Vote tallies so far include votes cast Tuesday at polling place, early votes and mail-in ballots that have so far been received by the clerk’s office.

“I think it was just dedication and hard work that I put in through the three-and-a-half, four years. I think people see that I’m really passionate about what I’m doing and I’m willing to put in the work.”

—  John Walker, DeKalb City Council Ward 7 candidate

Ward 3

Incumbent Tracy Smith sought a second term representing DeKalb’s 3rd Ward, and faced opposition by John Hadley.

Smith said he’s pleased with how Election Night is going for him.

“I was really humbled that residents came out and voted for me again,” Smith said. “I think I must be doing something right for at least most of the residents.”

With 65 out of 65 precincts reporting, Smith netted 279 votes to cast a lead over Hadley who tallied 101 votes.

Smith said that if elected, he would like the city to lower its tax burden and embark on major road improvements.

Ward 5

Bids for DeKalb’s 5th Ward aldermanic seat is a contest that has drawn considerable interest this election season as incumbent Scott McAdams waged a reelection campaign facing off against write-in challengers Derek Van Buer and Thomas Riley.

McAdams successfully prevailed over a months-long bid by challenger Van Buer and DeKalb resident Mark Charvat to unseat him from the ballot after a down-to-the-wire Monday after judicial ruling. McAdams is the only name that appeared on Fifth Ward voters’ ballots.

With 65 out of 65 precincts reporting, McAdams netted 363 votes to cast a lead over two write-in opponents, both of which have results that won’t be known until two weeks post-election.

McAdams said Election Night turned out to be a “great night” for him.

“The campaign math always favored me,” McAdams said. “Running against someone who’s a write-in is a tough uphill battle for the write-in. I’m running against two write-ins. [It’s] almost an impossible feat to accomplish for a write-in if I’m on the ballot. Then it came down to the ballot. Obviously, the judge and the court hearing. But once that was concluded, then the math suggests that the only guy on the ballot is probably going to win.”

Ward 7

Ward 7 residents will see a new face on the City Council after Tuesday’s election, as longtime Alderman Tony Faivre did not seek reelection.

Newcomer John Walker said he’s been preparing for his spot on the DeKalb City Council for years. Thomas Boken challenged Walker.

Walker said he felt Election Night went “beautiful” in his view.

“I’m very excited about the [results] so far,” Walker said. “I think it was just dedication and hard work that I put in through the three-and-a-half, four years. I think people see that I’m really passionate about what I’m doing and I’m willing to put in the work.”

With 65 out of 65 precincts reporting, Walker netted 94 votes to cast a lead over Boken who tallied 17 votes.

Walker said his first priorities, if elected, are to lower taxes and find ways to support community youth.

This story was updated at 11:58 p.m. April 4 with updated vote tally numbers reported by the DeKalb County Clerk and Recorders Office.