Steve Balich wins the tiebreaker for Homer Township’s Republican post

Homer Township Supervisor and Will County Board Republican Leader Steve Balich won a lottery for the Republican County Committee on Thursday after initially losing the March 19 election by one vote.

“First of all, I thank God,” Balich said. “After I finish thanking God, all the people who came out and voted for me follow. And those who didn’t, I will represent them properly. I hope my opponent doesn’t run away because we need everyone we can get to win the next election. And I hope she would help me as I would have helped her.

The fortuitous lottery came after Balich challenged the certified election results, in which Homer Glen resident Tami O’Brien defeated him 115 votes to 114 votes. During the recount process, the candidates noticed that one ballot for O’Brien had not been initialed by an election judge.

Will County Circuit Court Judge John Anderson threw out that ballot earlier this week, citing election code, and ordered the clerk’s office to hold a lottery.

Will County Clerk Lauren Staley Ferry on Thursday drew from a small box containing two balls, one marked for O’Brien and the other for Balich, and Balich was declared the winner.

O’Brien’s lawyers, Pericles Abbasi and Paul O’Grady, said they had not yet consulted with her about possible next steps.

“(Balich) won the election, but he didn’t take the position,” O’Grady said. “She’s already been sworn into the position, so it hasn’t become available yet. There is no position that can be filled.”

In his ruling, Anderson wrote that there is some question as to whether and how the court can procedurally remove O’Brien from office if she does not win the tiebreaker, and cited a 2023 appeals court decision that may apply used to be.

“If Mr. Balich is declared the winner, the parties should meet and discuss to reach a resolution,” Anderson wrote. “If they can’t agree on a solution, the court will eventually give them one.”

A hearing was scheduled for May 8.

O’Brien said Tuesday she may run for future elected positions in the community and plans to continue helping Republican candidates.

“I’m not leaving,” she said. “I am a strong woman. I’m not going to crawl into a hole.”

Balich said he disputed the outcome of the election because it was so close.

His attorney, Ross Secler, said the issuance of initialed ballots is a requirement of the Illinois Supreme Court to prevent fraud and protect the integrity of the election.

Secler said he hopes O’Brien graciously steps aside, but that he is prepared to pursue the case if necessary.

“If (O’Brien) wants to continue arguing, that’s her legal right,” Secler said.

Homer Glen Mayor Christina Neitzke-Troike, who supported O’Brien in the election, said the results show the importance of voting.

She said she was disgusted that the race came down to a simple error by an election judge, adding that O’Brien was willing to hire lawyers and defend the election results to prevent one person’s ballot from being thrown out.

“Steve didn’t win the election; he got lucky on the coin toss,” Neitzke-Troike said. “The voters must come out en masse to ensure that whoever they want to govern comes to power. Local politics are the basis of all politics. The local government influences the residents in their daily lives.”

Neitzke-Troike noted that all Homer Township government positions and three trustee positions in Homer Glen are available next spring and she plans to endorse a slate of candidates for those positions.

Michelle Mullins is a freelance reporter for the Daily Southtown.