Top races on ballot in DuPage County

Experts will tell you all politics is local, and that will be evident Tuesday when DuPage County voters go to the polls to choose candidates who will lead their towns, schools, parks, libraries and — yes — even the College of DuPage.

It's no secret the COD campaign has earned its spot at the top of DuPage's list of hotly contested races, but it's hardly the only one. Here's a quick look at the COD tussle and others in places such as Naperville, Glen Ellyn, Oak Brook and Winfield that have generated plenty of interest and could lead to major changes in their respective communities.

College of DuPage

Educational issues largely have taken a back seat in this race, as the 12 candidates vying for three 6-year spots on the board of trustees are focused mostly on controversies surrounding outgoing President Robert Breuder.

Two incumbents, Kim Savage of Darien and Nancy Svoboda of Downers Grove, are hoping to return to the board. Both supported a roughly $762,000 buyout package for Breuder that triggered a political firestorm and put the board under immense public scrutiny in recent months.

Former board member David Carlin of Naperville is in the running, too, as is former state Rep. Sandra Pihos of Glen Ellyn. Three candidates — Frank Napolitano of Bloomingdale, Deanne Mazzochi of Elmhurst and Charles Bernstein of Wheaton — are running as a slate that is endorsed by Trustee Kathy Hamilton, a frequent Breuder critic.

Others seeking their first terms on the board are Matt Gambs of Naperville, Claire Ball of Addison, Dan Bailey of Wheaton, Roger Kempa of Darien and Joseph M. Wozniak of Naperville.

Most of the candidates disagree with Breuder's buyout, but there has been much debate over repealing that decision, putting Breuder's name on a building and allowing Breuder to help pick his successor. Spending at the college, including at the student-run Waterleaf restaurant, also has been a hot topic.

Naperville

Significant change is coming to Naperville, as Mayor George Pradel steps down after two decades at the helm, and every city council seat is up for grabs.

Four candidates are vying for Pradel's seat: council members Steve Chirico and Doug Krause and newcomers Jim Haselhorst and Marty Walker.

Chirico has been on the council for four years, and Krause has served for 26. Haselhorst is a dental practice manager, and Walker is a retired firefighter.

Because of a past debate about whether council members should be elected at-large or by districts, all eight seats on the council are up for grabs, resulting in a pool of 20 candidates. The top four vote-getters will receive 4-year terms; the next four will receive 2-year terms.

Current council members in the running are Judith Brodhead, Paul Hinterlong, Joseph McElroy and David Wentz. Chirico and Krause are giving up their council seats to run for mayor.

Former council members Kevin Gallaher and Richard Furstenau are also on the ballot, along with plan commission chairwoman Patty Gustin and Naperville parks Commissioner Bill Eagan.

Other candidates are Becky Anderson, H. Thomas O'Hale, James Bergeron, John Colletti, John Krummen, Kevin Coyne, Nancy Marinello, Rebecca Boyd-Obarski, Robert Hajek, Steve Peterson, Steve Purduski and Wayne Floegel. James Bergeron's name also will appear on the ballot, but he has suspended his campaign.

Winfield

Development is the most important issue among the eight candidates seeking three seats on the frequently contentious Winfield village board.

Incumbent Tony Reyes is running on a slate with former trustee Jay Olson and Rob Hanlon, who previously made an unsuccessful bid for village president. The three long have called for more commercial development along Roosevelt Road.

Another incumbent in the running is James Hughes, along with Village Treasurer Carl Sorgatz.

Newcomers Dennis Hogan and Robert Greer are running together and have gained the support of Winfield United for a Better Community. Also on the ballot is Robert Borsodi.

Aside from development on Roosevelt Road, the candidates agree they would like to see the village work more with Central DuPage Hospital to develop the downtown area.

Oak Brook mayor

Oak Brook Village President Gopal Lalmalani is facing two challengers in his bid for a second term.

Village Trustee Mark Moy, a retired physician who has served on the board for six years, and zoning board of appeals member Natalie Cappetta, an attorney, also are vying for the position.

All three candidates said they strongly oppose the creation of a municipal property tax levy but are concerned about rising pension costs.

Lalmalani, a cardiologist, said it is important for the village to lobby downstate and to shift to more contractors and part-time employees to relieve the pension burden.

Moy said he would consider a small food and beverage tax, and Cappetta suggested a possible quarter-cent increase in the local sales tax, but both said those are last resorts.

Glen Ellyn

Curriculum, full-day kindergarten and facility changes are among some of the topics that have divided the seven candidates running for the Glen Ellyn Elementary District 41 school board.

Erica Nelson, who has served on the board since 2007, is the lone incumbent. She is mostly supportive of the district's direction, as are newcomers Lori Taylor and Kristin Massey. All three endorse the construction of a new early learning center or elementary school to house full-day kindergarten and think the district is doing a good job listening to residents.

A slate of three candidates — Kurt Buchholz, Stephanie Clark and Kevin Rath — is more critical of the district. They believe the district should do a better job of evaluating programs before they are expanded and would like to see improvements in regard to transparency and responsiveness to taxpayers.

Also on the ballot is newcomer Jeffrey Cooper, who is most concerned with the district's finances.