 At the time of the non @-@ partisan February 26 , 1991 mayoral primary election , the Chicago Tribune described Joliet as suffering from a stagnant economy and sagging population . Between 1980 and 1990 the population had declined to 76 @,@ 836 from 77 @,@ 956 , according to the United States Census Bureau . Connor was challenged by three candidates , including Schultz . Schultz narrowly won the primary election by a 2 @,@ 709 – 2 @,@ 545 ( 38 % – 36 % ) margin over Connor , but both candidates advanced to the April general election since they finished first and second in the primary . On April 2 , Schultz defeated Connor by a 6 @,@ 081 – 5 @,@ 534 margin . 
