DuPage expects low turnout despite crowded ballot

Voters on Tuesday will pick decision-makers for municipalities, parks, libraries and schools throughout DuPage County.

Those elected officials will have input into almost all aspects of local government, from property tax bills to elementary school class sizes, from flood-control policies to park district programs.

If all politics truly are local, well, it doesn’t get much more local than this, with nearly 100 contested races on DuPage ballots.

Nevertheless, local election experts say they’re expecting a relatively low turnout.

DuPage Election Commission officials predict about 20 percent of the county’s 559,603 eligible voters will cast ballots.

Here’s a look at some of the races that might generate the most interest.

Mayors face off

It’s tough to be a mayor running for re-election, especially when your opponent is a city council member.

Naperville Mayor George Pradel has two members of his council trying to unseat him. Kenn Miller and Doug Krause both say the city is ready for a new kind of leadership.

Pradel, meanwhile, says he wants one final term to see the economy rebound and businesses flourish again.

In Wheaton, Mayor Michael Gresk has no intention of hanging up his gavel anytime soon. But that’s not stopping Councilman John Prendiville from trying to stand in the way of Gresk’s bid for a second term.

During the campaign, Gresk and Prendiville differed on what should happen to the former Hubble Middle School in downtown Wheaton. Prendiville is an advocate of allowing Wheaton Park District to acquire the building; Gresk said the property needs to be developed and returned to the tax rolls.

Other mayors fending off opponents from their own boards include Wood Dale’s Kenneth Johnson, who is being challenged by Alderman Annunziato “Nunzio“ Pulice; and Carol Stream Village President Frank Saverino, who is trying to keep his seat against Trustee Rick Gieser.

Small-town battles

Two small villages were big on controversy this campaign season.

Oak Brook Village President John Craig, who is seeking re-election against challenger Gopal Lalmalani, has been dogged by a series of negative news reports. Craig said his political enemies are behind the headlines.

Meanwhile, in Winfield, the five-person race to fill three seats on the village board included attacks in a local paper launched by both sides of the political divide.

Partially fueling the rhetoric was a debate over how Winfield should be developed. Incumbent trustees Cliff Mortenson and Glenn VadeBonCoeur and newcomer Jim Hughes said the village should focus on developing the town center. Challengers Tim Allen and Tony Reyes are pushing for more commercial development along Roosevelt Road.

Crowded race

While there isn’t much controversy in Naperville’s city council race, voters will have tough choices at least in part because of the number of candidates. Eleven individuals are seeking four available seats on the council.

Some of the issues that emerged during the campaign include Naperville’s budget, union negotiations and staff morale. Most of the candidates agree jobs are vital for the city’s success. The incumbents are Grant Wehrli, Robert Fieseler and Richard Furstenau. The challengers are Charles Schneider, Steve Chirico, Joe McElroy, Wayne Floegel, Tiffany Stephens, John J. Krummen, Patricia Gustin, and Ben Gross. A 12th person, John Adair, is on the ballot but has withdrawn.

Referendums

When it comes to referendum questions set to appear on the ballot, only a few are asking taxpayers to dig deeper into their pocketbooks.

One measure that would impact property tax bills is in Medinah School District 11.

School officials are seeking permission to borrow about $8 million for upgrades to two buildings and to eliminate a third. Most of the money would pay for an addition to the Medinah Intermediate School to house elementary students and eliminate the need for the existing primary school. Remaining money would fund security and traffic safety upgrades to Medinah Middle School.

If approved, school district property taxes would increase by roughly $156 a year for the owner of a $350,000 home.

Elsewhere, voters are being asked to offer opinions that could help end long-running debates.

In Wheaton, an advisory question wants to know if the city should devote up to $150,000 a year toward the shuttered Wheaton Grand Theater in downtown. And Wood Dale officials say an advisory question will help the council decide whether to proceed with a proposal to build a grade separation at Irving Park and Wood Dale roads.

Ÿ For a compilation of candidate profiles and questionnaires and issue stories, go to dailyherald.com/news/politics/election. You’ll also find a recap of the Daily Herald’s editorial board endorsements online and on Tuesday’s editorial page.