The Doings Oak Brook

DuPage County addressing election website overload

Thu, 18 Apr 2013 03:19:50 -0500

When the results of last November’s general election were coming in after the polls had closed, the DuPage County Election Commission website was being viewed by as many as 10,000 online visitors at a time. That was understandable, given the 70 percent turnout seen in the county for the presidential, congressional, state and county contests. When the results of last week’s consolidated election for local offices and referendums were coming in about an hour after the polls had closed, the commission site seized up under the assault of some 15,000 visits. Turnout for the local contests had been paltry in …

District 53 Board has decisions to make after failed referendums

Sun, 12 May 2013 13:42:28 -0500

OAK BROOK — It’s back to the drawing board for the Butler Elementary District 53 Board, following Tuesday’s resounding rejection by voters of two referendums. A villagewide referendum seeking an OK to allow the Village Board to sell 8.5 acres of Sports Core property to District 53 failed by a 3 to 1 ratio, 2,113 to 665. A second referendum for voters in District 53 to approve the sale of $15 million in bonds to help fund the building of a new school was voted down 1,234 to 469. About two-thirds of Oak Brook is in District 53. Butler President …

New District 181 Board members promise scrutiny

Sun, 12 May 2013 13:49:20 -0500

HINSDALE — One of the victors in District 181 said the board needs to do more to keep top administrators, track the progress of a new learning plan and maintain fiscal responsibility. Gary Clarin of Clarendon Hills said Hinsdale-Clarendon Hills Elementary District 181 has seen too many administrators leave after just a year or two. “Experience is an important part of long-term improvement,” he said. He also said the board and administration must keep close watch of the Advanced Learning Plan. “The plan was just approved by the board; we must now track the progress of this program to determine …

Hinsdale woman elected to College of DuPage Board

Wed, 10 Apr 2013 12:59:03 -0500

Hinsdale resident Katharine Hamilton was the top vote-getter in the race for College of DuPage trustee on Tuesday. Hamilton, 61, a certified public accountant, received 51,595 votes in the community college district race. Also elected was Joseph C. Wozniak, 33, of Naperville, a graphic artist and designer, with 32,433 votes. The six-way race focused on finances and growth of the college, which has undertaken several building projects in recent years. Other candidates were David Carlin of Naperville with 27,328 votes, Frank Flores of Glendale Heights with 17,044 votes, Ed Agustin of Naperville with 16,310 votes and Mike Lanners of Lombard …

Lone incumbent wins re-election to Oak Brook Village Board

Sun, 12 May 2013 12:54:44 -0500

OAK BROOK — Two new trustees were elected to the Oak Brook Village Board. John Baar, a former District 53 teacher and administrator, led the field of six candidates seeking three board seats with 1,761 votes. Also elected to four-year terms were Don Adler with 1,411 votes and Mark Moy with 1,297. Moy was the only incumbent seeking reelection. Elaine Zannis and Stelios Aktipis chose not to run again. Failing in their bids to become village trustees were William Denton, who finished with 991 votes, Steve Young who had 990, and Phil Cuevas with 870. …

Incumbent GOP easily defeats Democrats in York Township

Sun, 12 May 2013 12:55:46 -0500

The incumbent Republicans easily won reelection in Tuesday’s York Township Election. Democrats filed for every position against the incumbents, except assessor, which left incumbent Deanna Wilkins unopposed. For township supervisor, incumbent John Valle of Oakbrook Terrace defeated Ahmed A. Sayyed of Oakbrook Terrace, 15,126 to 5,695. Incumbent clerk Daniel Kordik of Villa Park defeated Elmhurst resident Joseph Vosicky Jr., 13,053 to 7,626. Highway Commissioner Richard Schroeder of Lombard received 14,369 to 6,043 for Mark Pitchford of Lombard. For the four trustee positions, incumbent Barbara Finn received the largest number of votes with 13,362, followed by fellow incumbents Anthony Cuzzone, 12,094; …

Longtime incumbents survive challenge for Oakbrook Terrace Park Board

Wed, 10 Apr 2013 10:59:48 -0500

OAKBROOK TERRACE — Challenger Salvatore Lezza fell short Tuesday when he took on 60 combined years of experience in the Oakbrook Terrace Park Board election. With two six-year terms up for election, Susan Lugo, who has been on the board for 18 years, received 231 votes, followed by 42-year incumbent William Cizek with 172, and Lezza with 153. …

Lone incumbent not reelected in District 181

Wed, 10 Apr 2013 12:13:50 -0500

HINSDALE — The lone incumbent running in Hinsdale-Clarendon Hills Elementary District 181 failed in her bid for reelection. With three open seats on the board, Sarah Lewensohn finished fourth out of five candidates with 1,263 votes. Jill Vorobiev was the top vote getter with 1,726. Also elected were Gary Clarin with 1,384 votes and Mridu Garg with 1,381 votes. The three winners were endorsed by the Hinsdale Village Caucus. Challenger Richard Fitzgerald had 1,120 votes. Incumbents Yvonne Mayer and Russell Rhoads chose not to seek reelection.~. …

Sports Core, bond sales overwhelmingly rejected

Wed, 10 Apr 2013 10:56:07 -0500

OAK BROOK — A proposal to sell a portion of the village’s Sports Core for construction of a new school campus was overwhelmingly rejected Tuesday by Oak Brook voters. Voters were very much against a referendum seeking approval for the Village Board to sell 8.5 acres of Sports Core property to Butler Elementary District 53, which wanted to build a new school there. When votes were totalled, the plan lost by a 3 to 1 ratio, 2,113 to 663. “I couldn’t’ be happier,” said former Village President Karen Bushy, who has been outspoken against a new school being built at …

Esposito wins City Council seat in Oakbrook Terrace

Sun, 12 May 2013 12:55:26 -0500

OAKBROOK TERRACE – Paul Esposito will be the newest alderman in Oakbrook Terrace, defeating James Dvorak in the city’s 1st Ward 94 to 74. The two nearly lifelong Oakbrook Terrace residents faced off in the only contested City Council election. Esposito has lived in Oakbrook Terrace for 41 years; Dvorak for 39 years. No one challenged Mayor Tony Ragucci’s bid for re-election. Likewise, incumbent Second Ward Alderman Frank Vlach did not face any competition, and Robert Przychodni was the sole candidate for the Third Ward alderman position. Dennis Greco was the only person to file for the village clerk’s position …

Hinsdale District 86 winners promise cooperation

Sun, 12 May 2013 12:44:37 -0500

HINSDALE — The newly elected members of Hinsdale High School District 86 Board said while they criticize the way the current board operates, they don’t disagree with their priorities. “One of our platforms has been cooperation,” said Ed Corcoran. “All the board needs to respect one another. They don’t need to agree, but they need to respect one another and collaborate.” His slate’s campaign focused on better transparency and fiscal accountability, Corcoran said, but those intentions will not hurt the instruction the students receive. The three challengers aligned with a current board minority were elected Tuesday. Unofficial results show Claudia …

Accusations fly in Hinsdale High School District 86 Board race

Tue, 09 Apr 2013 14:35:18 -0500

HINSDALE — Campaign messages were flying in the Hinsdale High School District 86 Board race in the final days before Tuesday’s election. One campaign email supposedly compares the backgrounds and issues of the two slates: Claudia Manley, Edward Corcoran and Victor Casini; and the one led by the incumbents Dennis Brennan, Kay Gallo and Deirdre (DeeDee) Gorgol, with Roseanne Rosenthal rounding out their choices for the four seats that are up for election. Rosenthal is listed as an incumbent, although she has never served on the District 86 School Board. The email sent by supporters of Manley, Corcoran and Casini …

Election Day polls are closed

Tue, 09 Apr 2013 19:48:43 -0500

It’s Election Day. Voters will be choosing among candidates for village, library, park district, school and township boards, and, in some cases, village leaders and referendums. Polls are open from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Hinsdale High School District 86 candidates spar on finances

Fri, 05 Apr 2013 16:32:02 -0500

HINSDALE — Hinsdale High School District 86 Board President Dennis Brennan defended his record and running mates Thursday during a candidate forum. “We have one of the best school districts in the state, in the country,” Brennan said. Academic scores continue to rise, based on national tests, such as the ACT and the SAT, as well as the district’s own academic measures. He also said the board has done cost containment, resulting in seven balanced budgets and a triple A credit rating, the highest achievable. Management of district finances continues to be debated among the candidates hoping to fill the …

Hinsdale-Clarendon Hills District 181 Board candidates discuss priorities

Fri, 05 Apr 2013 16:32:02 -0500

HINSDALE — Candidates for the Hinsdale-Clarendon Hills District 181 School Board agreed on most questions posed to them during a candidate forum Thursday. The district’s priorities next year will be implementing the new Common Core standards and the district’s own Advanced Learning Plan, the candidates said. Mridu Garg said it’s important the school district “make sure our teachers have the resources they need to implement the plans,” and parents have clear directions on where they can address concerns about the plan. “It’s an ambitious undertaking,” said Jill Vorobiev, and support for the plan should include professional development classes for the …