Voters will have an opportunity to personally evaluate candidates for Elmwood Park Public Library Board and the Elmwood Park Community Unit School District 401 Board of Education at the first candidate forum in decades in Elmwood Park.
The nonpartisan League of Women Voters of Oak Park and River Forest will facilitate the event, which will take place from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Feb. 11 at the Elmwood Park Library.
The races have multiple contenders and offer options to voters, League of Women Voters officials said, adding the goal of the forum is to help voters get to know the candidates so they can make informed choices.
“New energy can transform an organization by challenging ingrained thinking. More candidates mean stronger accountability,” said library board challenger Jack Bower.
School board hopeful, 20-year-old Damian Pereson-Estrada, is a recent graduate of EPHS and possesses first-hand experience of decisions made by the board.
“Community involvement with the school district is crucial in ensuring taxpayers are being heard,” said Pereson-Estrada.
Here is the list of candidates:
Library Board of Trustees (4-year term)
Incumbents: Alice Balundis, Peter Fosco and Shakundula “Sk” Narayan. Dee Gordon is not seeking reelection.
Challengers: Meredith Zinanni, Amy Prechel, Jack Bower.
School Board, (4-year term)
Incumbents: Sue Capraro and Frank Parisi. Jonathan Rivera is not seeking reelection.
Challengers: Damian Person-Estrada, Monica Doyle, Tim Loughne, Rosalyn Sanchez.
