Des Plaines alderman not running for mayor

Des Plaines 4th Ward Alderman Dick Sayad will not be running for the mayoral job in April.

Sayad recently announced the news to residents of his ward in a letter.

“I just want to thank all of you for your calls of encouragement and support to run for mayor of Des Plaines,” Sayad wrote in the letter.

Sayad said Thursday he consulted with his family over the Thanksgiving holiday and decided that running a mayoral campaign would involve too much time and work at present.

“At this time, I am not going to run,” he said, not entirely closing the door on a future bid for the mayoral seat.

Sayad ran for mayor in 2009 and lost to then-Ward 2 Alderman Marty Moylan in a four-way contest. He served the ward from 1999 to 2007, left due to term limits, then was re-elected in April 2011.

“I have been your alderman for 10 years now. Serving as your alderman has been one of the most enjoyable experiences of my life, and I look forward to serving you in that capacity for many years to come,” he wrote in his letter.

Voters elected Moylan on Nov. 6 to represent the 55th House District. Once Moylan steps down in December, the city council will pick an alderman to serve as interim mayor until the April 9 municipal election.

At least two of the eight sitting aldermen — Matt Bogusz (3rd Ward) and Mark Walsten (6th Ward) — and former mayor Tony Arredia are expected to bid for the mayoral seat in April.

Candidates can file petitions to run in the April 9 election Dec. 17-24.