First ward Alderman David Jacobson, who garnered 116 votes as he ran unopposed in the 2015 DeKalb aldermanic election, said those who won the elections are looking to change things.

“I think there’s a whole lot the city needs to look at … I think in terms of looking at the election results … that a lot of the candidates elected were certainly those calling for a change in status quo and change in what’s been the typical norm for DeKalb,” Jacobson said.

Michael Marquardt’s 237 votes beat Steve Kapitan’s 228 votes in the 3rd ward. Marquardt said the budget is his priority.

“I would like DeKalb to have a balanced budget without raising taxes,” Marquardt said.

In a three-way race, newly elected 5th ward Alderwoman Kate Noreiko’s 247 votes defeated Michael Haji-Sheikh’s 220 votes and Cameron Zelaya’s 102 votes. Noreiko said she wants to meet with city officials to understand the issues that will come before the City Council.

“I want to meet with the city manager and economic development director and find out what I as an alderman can do to further economic development in the city,” Noreiko said.

Seventh ward Alderwoman Monica O’Leary, the incumbent, defeated Craig Roman by one vote, with 46 votes to Roman’s 45. O’Leary said she is thankful to DeKalb for voting her in as alderwoman again.

“Bottom line, the citizens are the ones who make the difference,” O’Leary said. “Next time I will make more of an effort to get people to vote.”