North Cook News

Norwood Park Township (Harwood Heights, Norridge and the Southeast portion of Park Ridge) is on the cusp of turning Red for the first time in, well, ever. 

The Township has been either mostly or totally controlled by the Democratic Party since its beginnings. Bob Martwick, father of current state Sen. Robert Martwick, served as Democratic Committeeman since the 1950s. He controlled the Township through his Democratic organization, occasionally allowing one or two Republican trustees on the board to keep the peace and avoid expensive campaigns.

Republicans have made a few serious attempts at taking over the eight Township offices in recent memory. Once in 1997 and another in 2001. Democrats crushed the opposition both times.

It was that same year, 2001, when current Democratic Township Supervisor Tom Lupo was first elected. Backed by the Marwick machine in 2001, Lupo has easily held power since then, now running for his sixth term.

This year, the Democrats have a serious challenge on their hands. The Northwest Side GOP Club, which operates in the Township, along with four adjacent Chicago Wards, has a full slate of Republicans running under the Law-and-Order banner.

Anthony Beckman, who also serves as the Township’s Republican Committeeman (non-paying position), is at the top of the Law-and-Order ticket as its candidate for Supervisor. Beckman is a Norridge Police officer who, while recovering from leukemia, very nearly upset Democratic State Senator Robert Martwick in the 10th District race just this past November.

Based on recent trends – Trump won the Township over Biden by 6% and Beckman won it over Martwick by 10% – if Republican voters show up to the polls on or before April 6, the Law-and-Order Party will make history by breaking the decades-long Democratic stranglehold on Norwood Park Township.

If Republicans are successful, it could be an indicator of things to come in 2022 for the Chicago Suburbs.

Ammie Kessem

41st Ward Republican Committeewoman