Most of the village leaders in La Grange and La Grange Park are back to work after an election cycle where only one municipal incumbent was defeated.
Referendums in Western Springs and La Grange Public School District 102 appeared to have won by large margins.
In La Grange Park, incumbent Trustee Jermaine Stewart lost his bid for reelection to Nick Diaferio as four candidates vied for three spots on the Village Board. Fellow incumbents Jamie Zaura and Karen Koncel appeared to retain their seats, according to unofficial election results from April 1.
La Grange Park Village President James Discipio said he looked forward to working with Diaferio, but he was disappointed by Stewart’s defeat.
“That’s the Democratic process and Jermaine understands that,” Discipio said. “But he’s a tremendous loss to our staff and our board. He has done so many great things with our CRC (Community Revitalization Committee). He’s a true gentleman.”
In La Grange, all three Village Board incumbents were returned to office, with Lou Gale winning 28.6%, Peggy Peterson 25.6% and Glenn Thompson 25.2%, according to unofficial election results. Challenger Carla Carter fell short in her first attempt at elected office with 20.6% of the votes.
The village presidents of both towns are returning after unchallenged campaigns.
“I think things are going great, and I appreciate the resident’s support and the support from the Board,” La Grange President Mark Kuchler said after the election. “I think we’ve accomplished a lot in the last couple years, and I’m looking forward to accomplishing a lot more.”
Kuchler said his main focus for the immediate future is to get the village’s sewer projects started.
“My hope is that we get the permitting approved by MWRD (Metropolitan Water Reclamation District) in the relatively near future and that we can go out to bid on the project in 2025,” he said.
He spoke to the issue of liquor laws in La Grange that were the focus of much campaign discussion, particularly an ordinance requiring restaurants to derive at least 60% of their revenue from food sales and no more than 40% from liquor.
Some thought the 60/40 rule should be relaxed or done away with altogether, but Kuchler disagreed with any drastic changes.
“I think a lot of it is really misunderstood,” he said. “It really applies only for restaurants, first of all. We do have a license that would apply for wine bars if they were to come into town. The Wooden Paddle asked for an exception for their second floor banquet space and we gave that to them. We work with businesses that are interested in La Grange and are appropriate.”
This is Kuchler’s second term he’s won outright, after having been appointed when Tom Livingston resigned. He said he’s not even thinking about a third term.
Discipio, having just won his sixth term in office, said he has no plans to retire anytime soon.
“I love what I do,” he said. “As long as my community supports me and they think I’m doing a good job — and they trust us — I will continue as long as I’m able to, give to my community.”
He said he’s appreciative of his long time in office.
“I’m so privileged and grateful for the opportunity to serve the residents again, with the board doing good things for the community,” he said.
Most other municipal posts in La Grange and La Grange Park were unopposed.
In the La Grange Park District, newcomer Brad Carter will join incumbents Robert Vear and Chris Weber.
In the Community Park District of La Grange Park, candidates running unopposed included Alexandria Zuck, Sheri Sauer and Mike Marusic and they all won seats as commissioners.
The La Grange Park Public Library Board will return trustees Karen Snow-Bartholomai, Sarah Krall and Allison Demes O’Brien.
The La Grange Public Library elected three brand new trustees, Bethany Griffin, Jessica Dangler and Jennifer Hopkins.
A $45 million infrastructure bond referendum was passed by Western Springs voters, 72.44% to 27.56% opposed.
General Obligation Bonds in the amount of $82 million were approved by La Grange Public School District 102 voters by a margin of 67.56% approve to 32.44% opposed.
Hank Beckman is a freelance reporter for Pioneer Press.
