Heilmann Reflects on Mayoral Loss

After eight years as mayor the Dave Heilmann era in Oak Lawn has come to an end. 

Heilmann was defeated by challenger Sandra Bury by 754 votes, or just over seven percentage points, according to the Cook County Clerk's unofficial results. All of his slate mates also fell on Tuesday. 

"We share a wonderful community and I really wish them all the absolute best," Heilmann said Tuesday night. "This is the place we all chose to call home. It's not about individuals, but everyone in the community."

While the mood was joyful at Bury's election results party, the near empty ball room at the Oak Lawn Hilton projected a clear contrast of fortunes. 

Heilmann says he gave his time in office and his most recent campaign effort everything he had. 

"It's an enormous amount of time away from your family. I take peace in the fact that I gave Oak Lawn everything I could," Heilmann said. "I am very much at peace with the efforts we made."

Asked to reflect on his legacy as mayor Heilmann deferred saying that it's something that never crossed his mind. As far as his future involvement with the town he led for the better part of a decade, he was largely silent. 

"It's family first," he replied.