- 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.