Birch, Ligino-Kubinski take West Chicago council seats

Recently appointed Melissa Birch will keep her seat in Ward 4 and newcomer Noreen Ligino-Kubinski will be the new representative for Ward 7 on the West Chicago City Council.

With all five precincts unofficially reporting, Birch, who was being challenged by Wayne Woodward, overwhelmingly won the Ward 4 race, with 84 percent of the vote.

The Ward 7 race, which also had five precincts reporting, was much tighter, with Ligino-Kubinski beating former alderman Nicholas Dzierzanowski by 12 votes. Ligino-Kubinski received 214 votes, while Dzierzanowski received 202 votes.

All seven West Chicago wards were on the ballot, but only Wards 4 and 7 were contested.

Birch served on the plan commission and civil service commission prior to her appointment as alderman in late last year. She said she hopes to have green initiatives featured in future downtown redevelopment plans and wants to improve communication with residents. Birch said she would also like to see the city attract new businesses and continue being fiscally responsible.

Ligino-Kubinski, a 15-year resident of the city, said she would explore opportunities for joint purchasing agreements and shared services with other municipal taxing bodies to reduce expenses. She said she would like to work to keep the city's infrastructure and services up to date and continue creating an environment that will attract businesses and commercial development.

Dzierzanowski served on the council from 2003 to 2013 and ran unsuccessfully for mayor in 2013. Woodward, a lifelong resident and retiree, was primarily concerned with the city being transparent to residents on issues such as the police chief's resignation.