Police Killing of 74 Year Old Latino Man Stirs race for mayor in Blue Island

• Originally published in the Chicago Tribune March 23, 2005 Copyright 2005 Chicago Tribune Company

By Jo Napolitano, Tribune staff reporter.

For the first time in 20 years, Blue Island Mayor Donald Peloquin is facing two challengers in an election influenced by the controversial death of a Mexican-American immigrant last year.

Antonio Manrique, 74, died Oct. 10, four days after he was tackled to the ground by a police officer responding to a call about graffiti. The incident, which is under investigation, outraged and united the Hispanic community, ultimately fueling a desire to have more influence in city government.

As a result, the April 5 ballot includes more Hispanic surnames than any other in recent memory. The election also includes several members of CASA, or Citizens in Action Seeking Answers, a grass-roots community group formed in response to Manrique's death.

"The incident brought to light the need for more community participation at all levels," said Rene Valenciano, principal of a local elementary school who is running for 5th Ward alderman. "We want more accountability overall."

Valenciano, who is Mexican-American, is CASA's president.

Peloquin, who ran unopposed for his last term but had a single challenger in each of his prior runs, will face Antonio Alcantar, a relatively unknown corrections officer with the Cook County Jail, and Nancy Thompson, a retired African-American community activist.

It's unclear what threat the two challengers pose for the incumbent, but John Swain, director of the Institute of Public Policy and Administration at Governors State University, said the outcome of the race is almost inconsequential. It's less about winning than it is about coalition building, he said.

"You don't have to win the election, but show you are a credible threat, that you can turn out voters," he said.

If the Hispanic community shows it is a force to be reckoned with and if it continues to grow, the current administration should "start to worry," Swain said.

The Manrique case highlighted what some said was a long-standing problem between the police and the Hispanic community. The city was sued not only by his family, but by a dozen others with similar claims of alleged police harassment and brutality.

Peloquin has been criticized by members of the Hispanic community for being aloof and for creating an atmosphere at City Hall that discouraged residents, especially Spanish speakers, from voicing complaints.

Thompson said she first decided to challenge the mayor after he was unresponsive to her request that the city help take care of an unkempt berm.

"When one comes to City Council meetings to address different issues, he just gives you a stare and says, `I'll look into it,'" she said.

Alcantar, who wants to bring big-name retailers to the area and encourage the opening of better restaurants, said he is motivated by the Manrique case and what he calls the mayor's lack of knowledge about the investigation.

"The whole town is frustrated because when they ask for answers, they are brushed off," he said. "This is an issue that is not going to go away."

Despite the criticism, Peloquin, a member of the Coalition Party, said he is confident he will win and believes his administration has responded properly to calls for change within the city and the Police Department since Manrique's death.

The city has agreed to diversity and language training for its police officers and is making a greater effort to reach out to the Hispanic community to help bring new jobs into town, he said.

"I will put my best effort forward and explain how I believe our group can accomplish those goals and let the people decide," Peloquin said.

Teresa Hernandez, a longtime community activist, said she isn't sure who will get her vote. Although she's wary the administration isn't sensitive enough to the needs of the Hispanic community, the incumbent has the experience.

"You don't know who you're getting or what you're getting if you have someone with no experience or knowledge at all," she said.

Winona Engelhardt, 92, who said she votes in every election, is sure to throw her support behind Peloquin next month.

"He does the best he can for this town," she said.

Maria Llerenas, 49, said she is undecided about the mayoral race. Though she acknowledges the Hispanic community's disappointment with city government, she feels the mayor and his administration are not entirely to blame.

"We still have to do our part," she said.