Tuesday night's re-election victory for Belvidere mayor Fred Brereton may soon be challenged. We're awaiting word from his opponent Karen Schrader on that decision. Schrader lost by about four tenth's of one percent of the vote.

A margin of only 15 votes out of about 2800 gave Belvidere mayor Fred Brereton a victory Tuesday night, and on Wednesday morning he didn't reflect on what might have been.

"It's nice to have the election behind us, certainly, get focused on city business again and get back to work." says Brereton.

But his opponent Karen Schrader is still thinking on what might be. She has until April 21 to ask for a recount, an option she is seriously considering.

With Chrysler on the ropes the city of Belvidere faces a challenge even bigger than its murals and both current mayor Fred Brereton and his opponent Karen Schrader say they have the answer.

"To me the utility tax is a big thing in Belvidere. People that are losing their homes because they have to pay a utility tax. Chrysler has to pay a utility tax and I can imagine how high their's is and I thought why doesn't he (Brereton) just get rid of the utility tax." says Schrader.

"We want to continue to partner with the city of Rockford and the region in getting passenger rail service back to the city and riverfront development and most importantly with the economy maintaining a balanced budget." says Brereton.

If Chrysler goes, the city will be entering some tough times, but no matter who the mayor is, Belvidere will have these two committed citizens helping out.

"I'll be at the city council meetings with my hands raised every week." adds Schrader.

Schrader says she is waiting for all the absentee ballots to arrive before deciding whether or not to request a recount. Schrader cannot ask for a recount of every district in the city, instead she has the right to request a recount in four precincts of her choosing.