Quinlan Announces Bid for Third Village Clerk Term
Oak Lawn Village Clerk Jane Quinlan launches 2013 campaign for third term as independent.
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Continuing her campaign theme from the old Unity Party days—‘Sentimental Journey’—lifelong Oak Lawn resident and popular village clerk Jane Quinlan announced her reelection bid for a third term in 2013.
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Introduced by friend and campaign manager Jimmy Richards, Quinlan was lauded for being a loyal friend and dedicated public servant.
“Like everyone else in this room I’m just very simply a friend of Jane Quinlan’s,” Richards told an SRO audience at Palermo’s on Wednesday. “Jane is the same person that we all know and that I know today as she was eight years ago when I first met her.”
Quinlan’s first order of business was to seek the owner of a lost pair of eyeglasses that a man came up and claimed.
“In my personal life I’ve always tried to surround myself with people who were loyal and trusting,” Quinlan told a cheering crowd of neighbors, family and friends. “I succeeded in doing that but to add to all the friends I’ve met in the last seven years is truly a bonus.”
Announcing that she was running as an independent for her third term as village clerk, Quinlan, has distanced herself from the often-fractious village board meetings on the Tuesday night dais.
“So many people have asked me why I'm running as an independent,” she said. “Because after serving as village clerk for the past seven years I believe it’s in the best interests of the Village of Oak Lawn that this might bring a positive spit to Oak Lawn politics."
Quinlan thanked her fellow village and city clerks—including those from Evergreen Park, Hickory Hills, Chicago Ridge, Justice, Palos Heights, Worth, Berwyn, Burbank and a retired city clerk from Dawson Springs, KY—for coming to her campaign launch on three-days’ notice.
Watch the video of Quinlan's announcement.
She also expressed her gratitude to Oak Lawn's rank and file village employees because "nobody can do the clerk's job alone."
Oak Lawn Trustees Bob Streit (Dist. 3) and Tom Duhig (Dist. 4) were the only village board members in attendance and arrived after Quinlan started her speech.
Village Manager Larry Deetjen, Oak Lawn Police Chief Bill Villanova, Joanne and Jim Buschbach, and Dr. Sandra Bury also turned out for the Wednesday campaign launch.
Quinlan is Oak Lawn’s first registered and certified village clerk, and is currently working toward become a master municipal clerk. In September, she will begin a term as vice president of the Southwestern Illinois Municipal Clerks Association, representing 75 municipalities.
Afterward, Quinlan said she chose the song “Sentimental Journey” because she has lived her whole life in Oak Lawn.
“When I first decided to run in 2004, I thought of all my days in the village of Oak Lawn,” she said. “I thought I would continue my ‘Sentimental Journey.’”
Quinlan was amazed by the turnout, which she claimed drew supporters from the village’s six districts.
“We had almost 400 people with just three days of making phone calls—more than the Unity Party ever had,” Quinlan said. “We couldn't get 150 people to our Unity Party fundraisers.”
Richards said the numbers were working in Quinlan's favor. Running for her first term as village clerk in 2005, Quinlan received 6,774 votes; in 2009, she garnered 8,020 votes village-wide—more than the 7,969 votes Mayor Dave Heilmann received for his second mayoral term.
“I would call that moving the football up the field as she’s going through her career,” he said.
Heilmann is holding his own coming-out party Friday night at the Hilton Oak Lawn, where he is expected to formally announce his re-election bid for a third term as mayor in the 2013 consolidated election.
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In This article
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Palermo's 95th Pizza & Restaurant
4849 W 95th St, Oak Lawn, IL -
Village of Oak Lawn
9446 Raymond Ave, Oak Lawn, IL -
Hilton Oak Lawn
9333 S Cicero Ave, Oak Lawn, IL
admiringmind
6:29 am on Friday, August 24, 2012
Wow. That sounds like a pretty good fundraiser. Even at $25 a ticket, Jane probably raised over six or seven thousand dollars. Kudos to Jimmy Richards on getting that many people to a fundraiser.
Laurie Welt1
7:38 am on Friday, August 24, 2012
Like any politician, they load up with political hacks (as she did). It was a bunch of old ladies, political burnouts, strange Oak Lawn people, and gossip.
Glad Jane coined a lot or "original" sound bites:
"I love Oak Lawn"
"I lived here all my life"
"I want to keep it a great place to live"
She is still like she was as my phoney classmate at Mother McCauley in 1976. Gossip gossip bad talk.
What a way to make a living!
Garbage
9:20 am on Friday, August 24, 2012
Laurie Welt, Laurie Welt. Hmmmm. I don’t remember seeing your name attached to anything you have done for the village. Sure sounds like you are driving a truck load of sour grapes, Laurie. Jane has done a lot of good for this village. But I’m sure you don’t realize that based on your comments. And a bunch of “old political hacks” well the pictures don’t show all the other people who were there recognizing Jane for her service to this community. She has been elected and re-elected with more votes than the King who is seeking re-election so he can get more photo ops and spend village money on more legal fees. Try to do something for the people in the village instead of being jealous of Jane and maybe you will stomp on your bad attitude for a great woman and her supporters. And you shouldn’t throw stones about gossip, gossip, bad talk!!
QC
7:28 pm on Sunday, August 26, 2012
Laurie
Don't pay attention to the "Garbage" aka Phelan he feels it's his right to punish ANYONE that doesn't agree with HIM! ie: tickets to the VIP tent @TFG
I also agree on her being a huge Phony and a gossip, Man she just doesn't quit!
julie barker
10:38 am on Friday, August 24, 2012
i think of it as a smart move.
vote
10:27 pm on Sunday, August 26, 2012
Hey Dave will you lay off Jane please!! That yellow streak down your back is showing. Phony and gossip huh Dave.. Your the actor you play to the cameras all the time. I remember you played a phony judge one time too on TV. Lets see your record Dave, everyone you have run with has disowned you You now back Bob Streit and Dennis Brennan Who tried to have you arrested for voter fraud just 16 months ago. You have no class, never did. she will beat your candidate like a drum
andy skoundrianos
12:10 pm on Friday, August 24, 2012
Jane is the best clerk we have ever had in Oak Lawn period. She does more for the village above and beyond the call of duty than any other elected official I have seen. Let the haters hate,the jealous officials tell lies,the voters know the great job she has done.
Lorraine Swanson
1:19 pm on Friday, August 24, 2012
Ms. Quinlan paid for her launch party at Palermo's out of her own pocket. This was not a fundraiser, just to set the record straight from an earlier comment.
DJ Kavanaugh
1:27 pm on Friday, August 24, 2012
With Heilmann rumored to have chosen his running mate, I wonder what the other party will do? I do not believe there is any friction between Tom Phelan, Alex O. and Jane. Will they still put a candidate against Jane in the election?
frustratedreader
1:34 pm on Friday, August 24, 2012
Why are the comments showing up on page one but not here?
District 666 Resident
1:38 pm on Friday, August 24, 2012
Two things:
First, there is friction between AOLE, Falo and Jane. She refused to run with them and they snubbed her coming out party. Ouch!
Secondly, I can't believe that Lorraine has this right. Why would someone pay $3K to $5K to have a party that didn't raise money. She needs a campaign manager
QC
7:39 pm on Sunday, August 26, 2012
666
Remember she has stated emphatically that she is a "team player"! (doesn't really hold water though b/c originally her "Team" was Heilmann, (and she WAS NOT A TEAM PLAYER) Something else is going on behind the scenes though. I'm sure there's no friction between Phelan and janie b/c Phelan's niece and janie's son are married to each other---but then janie and Carol Quinlan's husbands are cousins and she has no qualms about shunning Carol. It's a Horse and Pony show for sure. Let's see what goes down.
Lorraine Swanson
1:50 pm on Friday, August 24, 2012
This was a campaign launch--not a fundraiser. No one was charged $25 a head to get in. And Jane does have a campaign manager. Whether Jane compensates herself from her campaign fund--as is her legal right to do because this is a legitimate campaign expense under state law--I do not know. I guess I'll have to keep an eye on her campaign records at the Illinois State Board of Elections, as I do for everybody's.
Oak Lawn Taxpayer
11:35 pm on Friday, August 24, 2012
If you say so. But the story quotes Jane as saying “We had almost 400 people with just three days of making phone calls—more than the Unity Party ever had,” Quinlan said. “We couldn't get 150 people to our Unity Party fundraisers.” It sounds like she was calling it a fundraiser. If not, duh! Of course there are more people at a freebie then a fundraiser where you pay actual money!
andy skoundrianos
12:22 am on Monday, August 27, 2012
QC- I have to set the record straight on a few things, All the trustees were invited Carol couldn't come because of family commitments . Jane is running on no ticket thus,any trustees that run will also run by themselves. She was a team player I saw it when I worked on the unity party campaigns in 07 and 09 Jane walked in every trustee dist, that was on the ticket with her 2,4,and 6 Dave did not He only cared about himself. He never walked for any candidates but himself. He was never in the office,never said hello to the volunteers,never a thank you. Jane basically ran the office with the trustees. Dave was never a team player if he was, then why did the team all leave him?? When one person calls you a fool don't believe it but when many do it's probably true. He is the most anti social Mayor Oak Lawn has ever had. He never goes to any government functions unless he is receiving a man of the year award. How many working relationships does the mayor have with the other local mayors??, He very rarely goes to the sw mayor's conferences,never goes down to Springfield to try to get some state money back to Oak Lawn. Has never went to one clerks dinner while all the other Mayor's do. He never goes to the chamber of commerce lunches to try to have a working relationship with our business community. So who really isn't the team player and by the way didn't the clerk get more votes than Dave??? just askin
QC
11:37 am on Monday, August 27, 2012
andy
Why do you turn everything into blasting Dave? The story's about janie and how SHE is a sell out and only out for herself. I also need to set the record straight Heilmann and Carol Quinlan left the Thugs. The Thugette went with the Thugs! She was at deja brew for the trustees vs residents fistfight-and flew the coup b/4 the police showed up. I'm SURE that she's on that "missing security tape" too. She used Scare Tactics on Seniors, claiming "Possible Identity Theft" regarding their signatures. She's been sleeping with the dogs too long!
Lorraine Swanson
1:51 pm on Friday, August 24, 2012
And 666, I don't know anything about the other trustees snubbing Jane or of any known friction between her and the other village board members. It was the first day of school. Maybe the others were busy getting their children back into the school routine.
District 666 Resident
2:29 pm on Friday, August 24, 2012
Or? AOLE and Falo are pouting because Jane said "no". Let's take a poll and see which explanation is more reasonable:
A. AOLE and Falo were pouting because Jane said "no" so they didn't come
B. AOLE and Falo were getting their kids ready for school at night.
OakLawnGuy
3:04 pm on Friday, August 24, 2012
She seems to be taking the high road and I hope the remainder of her campaign adheres to that route. She does have the Clerk's office in top shape, it seems, and separating herself from both of those factions is admirable.
andy skoundrianos
12:05 pm on Monday, August 27, 2012
QC- You call Jane a sell out,I call you a sell out. What is your hatred about Jane?? Because more people voted for her than you?? Because more residents trust her than you??Stop with the theatrics Dave, you have proof bring it forward stop with the whispers and lies and run on your record. Oh wait maybe you better not.... I forgot what's with all the thugette comments?? I thought that was beneath a lawyer to say such things???
Lorraine Swanson
4:24 pm on Friday, August 24, 2012
666, I will do something revolutionary ... I will call the trustees and ask them.
District 666 Resident
4:29 pm on Friday, August 24, 2012
Love the idea. Let's make sure we ask them if they asked Jane to be on the ticket and what was her answer.
Then we can skip to the second level and ask why they didn't show. Maybe she didn't invite them. Is that possible?
Lorraine Swanson
4:25 pm on Friday, August 24, 2012
Just a reminder to keep the commentary civil. Here are the Patch Terms of Use in case you need a refresher. oaklawn.patch.com/terms
vote
4:44 pm on Friday, August 24, 2012
Hey 666 Worry about your candidates ticket. The clerk is running as an Independent. That means she is affiliated with no one. What part of that word don't you understand?? She wants to stay above the mudslinging campaigns of the other officials who are going to run next April. Pretty good idea on her part.
Garbage
6:36 pm on Friday, August 24, 2012
QC?? This is really a first. Your comments are right on target and I must agree with you 100%. Jane IS above the mudslinging and has done an excellent job as clerk of Oak Lawn. I am an old timer in OL and she is the best and has done her best for ALL of the citizens throughout the village and tried to maintain a degree of decorum during many ugly days and evenings with some of the other officials running next year.
District 666 Resident
2:21 pm on Saturday, August 25, 2012
QC??,
If she is affiliated with no one, why were Duhig and Streit at the announcement??????
QC
7:43 pm on Sunday, August 26, 2012
QC??/Garbage
2 for the price of one! LMAO
Garbage
6:41 pm on Friday, August 24, 2012
To 666 -- I would choose A.
vote
3:21 pm on Saturday, August 25, 2012
666... They are independents as well, Bob is not up for election and Heilmann is running some one against Duhig!!
vote
10:32 pm on Sunday, August 26, 2012
QC?? I told you I'm Quincy Cullen's brother Quentin. Phelan doesn't blog under Garbage I think He is 666 resident or ol taxpayer
O.L. Taxpayer
8:38 am on Monday, August 27, 2012
I like the way Bob Streit is playing both sides of the fence. Here at Janes party and also at Daves fundraiser. Hedging his bets I suppose, no matter who wins he will once again jump ship and say he supported them from the start.
OakLawnGuy
9:43 am on Monday, August 27, 2012
O.L., that's what you call an "independent".
lou
9:04 am on Saturday, August 25, 2012
i dont know how anybody can say a bad thing about her and never did until the patch. go jane u have my 100% backing and yes that means my cash as well.ps i did c phelans brother there.
QC
7:45 pm on Sunday, August 26, 2012
He's her son's father-in-law
Oak Lawn Gal
10:49 pm on Saturday, August 25, 2012
I like Jane and think she's done a great job as clerk. She's also helped me a couple of times and is extremely responsive. Running as an independent and distancing herself from the Mayor and trustees is the smartest move she could have made.
vote
10:29 pm on Sunday, August 26, 2012
Who are you QC?? Oh yeah the Jealous Mayor part time lousy actor. Jane is ten times the person you are
Oak Lawn Taxpayer
7:47 pm on Tuesday, August 28, 2012
QC??
You win. You just asked yourself who you are!
Joe Wilson
8:11 pm on Tuesday, August 28, 2012
oak lawn taxpayer--this reply too
QC??
10:32 pm on Sunday, August 26, 2012
QC?? I told you I'm Quincy Cullen's brother Quentin. Phelan doesn't blog under Garbage I think He is 666 resident or ol taxpayer.~~ Whats funny is I can't see anyone on here asking him/her who he or she is.
O.L. Taxpayer
9:01 am on Monday, August 27, 2012
Jane, any support you need you have our votes. You are hands down the best thing to happen to the clerks office in decades. Glad to see you have separated yourself from the "King". It is rare to find someone that cares for the village and not just looking out for what a political position can gain his or her friends and cronies.( or how many tickets to a play he can sell or what crooked deals can be concealed from taxpayers eyes)
QC
11:27 am on Monday, August 27, 2012
King Thug aka Phelan stop your lies and sleazy ways. Your infatuation with Heilmann and jealousy of all that he's accomplished is pathetic. You made your own bed....and so did janie!
Ps Crooked deals?? I don't believe he was involved in your "trip to Springfield" , now was he? Was he involved in Hiring Madigan's "suggested" Attorney cronies? How about The developer, for the 111th & cicero debacle, also being one of Madigan's Cronies and Client?? You know Hamilton Properties. What about the No Bid contract that went to K-5 construction for street re-surfacing?? Just to name a few.
J. J. Zurek
5:22 pm on Monday, August 27, 2012
Laurie:
I am sure the Mother McCauley Educator's are extremely proud of the way
you spew your Catholic/Christian Education and the name of Mother McCauley in the very same breath. I'll bet you still go to church on occasion too. did you ever
hear that one never is to discuss Politic's or Religion. so the only question I really
have is "Does that mean you are not going to vote for Jane Qunlan ?"
QC
6:00 pm on Monday, August 27, 2012
JJ
Same can be said for ALL of the village board, including Ms janie!
vote
10:00 pm on Monday, August 27, 2012
You too Mr. St. Linus
QC
6:19 am on Tuesday, August 28, 2012
QC??
Actually he was included in the "ALL", Mr. St. Catherines. Get it??
J. J. Zurek
6:56 pm on Tuesday, August 28, 2012
Can anyone who reads this blog, please tell me why it is so difficult to say whatever it is, that they find unacceptable and why they find it unacceptable. Or what they feel should be done to make it more acceptable, without resorting to name calling and pointing the accusative finger. Apparently some people have a total misunderstanding of how a Democracy form of Government functions. If anyone feels they can do better, then by all means circulate your petitions, get on the ballot take your case to the voters, If you get enough votes you win, if you don't get enough votes, support the winner, this is for the entire Village of Oak Lawn, not just one or two people, or one or two groups, their are 50,000 plus people in the Village and the same handful are always complaining and/or name calling and it makes the entire Village look ridiculous. Residents that live in the near by Towns and Villages think we need the National Guard for safety and security at the Village Hall meetings.
I am sure if you try real hard you can communicate your displeasures without uttering a single derogatory or disparaging remark. All of us where educated here on the Southwest Side or the Southwest Suburban area, lets make our Educators Proud and communicate like we have a grasp of the english language.
Lorraine Swanson
7:35 pm on Tuesday, August 28, 2012
Thank-you, JJ.
andy capped
9:55 am on Friday, March 22, 2013
What is Jane’s view on LEGAL gambling in Oak Lawn? Seems like she backed illegal gambling when it was being done at high schools and run out of her house back in 2006 (check the trib) but I am not sure how she feels about it at bars. I suppose her and the crew may like to play the machines at desmonds after the village board meetings. Thoughts anyone?