Politicos anxiously await vote returns

Polls have closed. Returns are not in yet. But Madison and St. Clair County Republican leaders paused to reflect on turnout and the night ahead.

Bill Zychelwicz, chairman of the St. Clair County Republican Central Committee, said voter turnout was spotty outside East St. Louis. It was high in Caseyville, O'Fallon, Shiloh and Millstadt and only moderate in Belleville, he said.

Many Republican candidates will be gathering at Paesano's Restaurant in Shiloh soon to watch returns come in, Zychelwicz said.

Jason Plummer, chairman of the Madison County Republican Central Committee, said voter turnout in general has been high except in the northwest area of the county.

He said victory parties are planned by Congressman John Shimkus at the American Legion in Collinsville and by Appellate Court Judge Steve McGlynn at the Holiday Inn in Collinsville.