Elmhurst voters preparing to vote in the April 1 consolidated election have choices for alderman in 3 of the city’s 7 wards.
In four of the city’s wards – Wards 1, 3, 6 and 7 – incumbents are running unopposed. Brian Bellanger in Ward 1, appointed to fill the Deuter vacancy in January, is running unopposed for his first full elected term. Chris Jensen of Ward 3, Emily Bastedo of Ward 6 and Mike Brennan of Ward 7 are all present aldermen running for re-election.
It is in Wards 2, 4 and 5 where voters face choices. In Ward 2, incumbent Jacob Hill is being challenged by Kevin Kirby. In Ward 4, Mike Baker and Bobby Fontana are running to replace Brian Cahill, who has chosen not to run for reelection.
In Ward 5, Dan Virgil is running against Adam Park. Park’s wife Tina, the current alderman, has chosen not to run again.
Candidates spoke about their reasons for running, issues of particular concern and thoughts on future challenges in interviews and at a recent forum.
Ward 2
Second Ward Ald. Jacob Hill said in his work for a local university he has many opportunities to engage with students and, as a veteran himself, with veterans. But his work as an alderman allows him to be of service to the broader community, he said, and to model public service for young people.
In his first term, Hill was a co-sponsor of a longterm master plan to provide sidewalks on streets without walks, particularly on the city’s north side. He said he wants to work on city planning, including replacing the police station, renovating the Metra station and some major public works projects.
“I think we could do a much better job of planning,” he told Pioneer Press, “so we’re not dealing with all these big ticket items all at once.”
Regarding the police station, all the aldermanic candidates said they favor replacement. But Hill alone suggested the project could be delayed. “I understand the need…” he said. “But maybe not now. We could hold off for a few years.”
Hill also suggested the city could look at some new revenue sources, including non-parking uses for some areas of the city’s parking decks, which he said might have been overbuilt. His thoughts included some kind of entertainment space on the top floor of the Addison deck, now cordoned off, but a space Hill said has a great view of downtown Chicago.
Kevin Kirby, running against Hill, said he felt called to join the race based on rising costs for residents in Elmhurst. Kirby said he’d like to use his background in business development to attract new businesses and find new uses for existing city assets, steps which could generate new sales tax revenue for the town. Like Hill, he had some ideas for new uses for city parking decks and parking lots, possibly as spaces for art fairs or French markets.
Kirby said he’d like to see new and expanding restaurants in town, citing local schools as a pool of possible new employees. Citing the success of Rock the Block, Kirby said he’d like to explore a summer closing of York Street through the City Centre area to allow seasonal expansion of existing restaurants and shops.
Kirby agrees with the need to replace the police station, but said new city sales tax revenue could further reduce the property tax cost to Elmhurst homeowners.
“I don’t think we’re doing enough to keep down rising costs,” Kirby said.
Ward 4
Mike Baker has a long history of community involvement. The longtime resident is a past president of the Elmhurst Heritage Foundation, a member of the executive committee for the Elmhurst Craft Beer Fest and active with the United Community Concerns Association.
Baker said his decision to enter the race came in part from rising water costs.
“The water bill increase was quite a surprise to our community,” Baker said. “That made me think about running – and a feeling that I could make a difference. I wanted to have the opportunity to have some input on issues.”
Baker acknowledged that the cost of water in Elmhurst reflects both the city of Chicago and the DuPage Water Commission pricing of the basic commodity. But he said aging Elmhurst infrastructure contributes to leaks and other water losses, which drive up local costs.
Baker noted that recent state and federal mandates requiring removal of phosphorous and lead pipes may increase city infrastructure costs.
Baker agreed with the need for a new police station, saying he’s convinced the current building is undersized by more than 20,000 square feet in terms of facilities and evidence storage.
“But we need to constantly monitor to be sure all costs are not on residents,” he said.
Robert “Bobby” Fontana, a satellite systems engineer, said he decided to enter the ward race in the hope of contributing to the community after moving to Elmhurst with his family about 8 years ago.
“We found a welcoming community,” he said, “with a totally different feel from anywhere else we’ve lived… Here people are constantly out, constantly talking and it’s that mingling that made me want to get involved and start to give back.”
Fontana said he’s had an interest in local politics and with the incumbent alderman not running for re-election, decided to enter the race.
Fontana hopes to bring a systems – and systematic – approach to city issues. Many ideas, opportunities and projects “may look pretty good,” as he said. Questions of priorities and trade-offs are areas where he hopes to help analyze which are worth spending money on.
“Relative comparison of issues to help bring that type of reasoned decision making is what I’m hoping to bring to the table,” he said.
He cited two areas to focus on if elected. The first is to maintain Elmhurst’s thriving downtown through responsible fiscal decisions. Second, he wants to focus on programs and issues that get people out and mingling with their neighbors.
Regarding the police station replacement project, Fontana said he was initially skeptical about the need, but has changed his mind.
“The case is really solid that we need a new one,” he said.
Ward 5
Dan Virgil said his decision to run for alderman grew out of a sense of civic responsibility coupled with some recent events. About a year ago, Virgil said, there were a couple of issues before the council in which he was interested.
“There were some perspectives that I had that were not represented in the discussion,” Virgil said. Eventually, he decided he had something to offer there. “So I jumped in.”
Virgil may be remembered in Elmhurst for a long-running and eventually successful effort to get the city to allow temporary gardening structures known as hoop houses.
Virgil said his aim as an alderman will be to help solve problems and to make sure residents get full value for their tax dollars.
Regarding the police station replacement, Virgil said he was initially skeptical. But after learning more about the shortcomings of the deteriorating building he is convinced of the need. “My opinion has shifted,” he said. “I do think it’s something we need to do – as efficiently as we can.”
Adam Park said he was motivated to run for Ward 5 alderman by a desire to give back and “a real love for Elmhurst.”
Park, who works in healthcare, said he believes his skills are a good fit for the work of an alderman.
He cited paying for the replacement of the police station and infrastructure improvements to the city water system as major issues facing the city.
“Those things are going to take some planning,” Park said.
He said he hopes to work on some ward-specific issues, including traffic troubles on St. Charles Road and on Spring Road, particularly at times when schools are letting out for the day. Park also mentioned the city’s plan for two now-vacant lots on the south side of Eggleston Avenue west of Spring. The city bought the properties, where plans call for underground stormwater storage vaults under surface parking lots.
“I want to make sure that’s done right,” Park said.
Early voting for the April 1 consolidated election is underway.
Graydon Megan is a freelance reporter for Pioneer Press.
