Incumbents win South Elgin board race

Incumbent Trustees Mike Kolodziej, Lisa Guess and Scott Richmond nabbed three open seats on the South Elgin village board Tuesday.

With all precincts reporting, unofficial vote totals show Kolodziej garnered 796 votes, Guess received 733 votes, and Richmond collected 719 votes. Former trustee Bill DiFulvio received 515 votes.

Kolodziej, 54, a teacher at Glenbard West High School in Glen Ellyn who's been on the board for 16 years, said he spearhead an initiative to conduct more stings to prevent establishments from selling liquor to minors.

Guess, 55, who logged 12 years on the board, said she's supportive of an idea floated by Kane County Forest Preserve District officials to connect South Elgin's downtown to the bike path that runs through the far northeast end of the village.

Richmond, 46, an attorney who served from 2005 to 2013 before losing re-election, was appointed to the board last year. It's important to watch for long-term expenses deriving from residents in new or expanding subdivisions, he said.

DiFulvio, 54, is active with the nonprofit FUNdation, which is building a playground accessible to disabled children at SEBA Park. He served on the board for 12 years and lost re-election in 2013 after he was tossed off the ballot and ran as a write-in candidate.

The candidates all agreed South Elgin isn't facing major issues and that its taxation rate is "just right."

The village recently approved zoning for medical marijuana dispensaries in business and office districts at least 250 feet from residential areas. Kolodziej voted in favor while Richmond voted against, saying the distance should be greater. Guess, who was absent for the vote, and DiFulvio both said they would have voted in favor.