Majority of DuPage mayors seeking re-election in spring

The spring election is still seven months away, but a majority of mayors and village presidents in DuPage County already have decided whether they'll seek re-election. Here's a quick look at the candidates:

Addison

Mayor Rich Veenstra says he intends to seek a second term and hasn't heard of anyone preparing to challenge him. He said he wants more time to pursue initiatives such as workforce training with Addison's industrial companies, revitalization of neighborhoods, new housing construction and retail development.

Bloomingdale

Village President Franco Coladipietro said he's looking forward to seeking a second term after making "great progress" in his first.

Coladipietro, an attorney, served as a state representative from 2007 to 2012 but says he enjoys being village president more.

"I enjoy working closely with the people and getting a lot done in a short amount of time and being (village president) affords me that," he said. "I'm close to work, I'm able to volunteer coach my children. All of that plays in, so I much prefer this."

Glendale Heights

Village President Linda Jackson could not be reached for comment, but a village spokesman said she plans to seek a fifth term. Jackson is the longest-serving president in Glendale Heights history.

Itasca

Village President Jeff Pruyn says the village is in a transition period that requires an experienced leader at the helm, and he hopes it's him.

"It was a fairly easy decision to make," he said of seeking a third term. "Itasca has a lot going on with the Elgin-O'Hare Western Access Tollway and the runway situation at O'Hare. We need an experienced mayor, with the contacts I have, to see these projects through completion."

Lisle

Mayor Joe Broda has been involved in governing the Arboretum Village since the mid-1980s and says he's not done yet.

Broda said he's seeking a fifth term to "complete the vision I started years ago with the downtown and the community in general." That includes a development with apartments, restaurants and retail being built on the former village hall site that is expected to be finished sometime next year.

Lombard

Village President Keith Giagnorio has decided to run for a second term, after seeing positive changes in his first.

"I feel like we're just getting things really rolling now, so why break up the momentum?" he said.

Giagnorio said he is especially pleased with the economic development that has occurred during his tenure as village president, including a Mariano's and Sam's Club that are moving into town and changes coming to the area around Yorktown Center.

Oakbrook Terrace

Oakbrook Terrace Mayor Tony Ragucci said he plans to run again but declined to elaborate.

Warrenville

Mayor David Brummel said he plans to seek a fourth term.

"Being mayor of my hometown, the town where my father was born, the town of my youth and most of my adulthood, I consider to be an incredible honor," he said.

West Chicago

Mayor Ruben Pineda said he is running for a second term to continue many of the things he started, including downtown redevelopment and Healthy West Chicago initiatives. He said he brings a unique perspective to the job, considering he grew up in West Chicago and is a lifelong resident.

"It's not about my ego or the position, it's that I care about the community," he said.

Winfield

Erik Spande said he will seek a second term, so voters can give him a "report card."

He said the village has made much progress in his first term. It recently signed a deal with Northwestern Medicine Central DuPage Hospital to receive $900,000 in annual grants over each of the next five years. There also are efforts to promote redevelopment along Roosevelt Road.

"We've got a number of projects that we certainly want to continue," Spande said. "I would like to have the opportunity to help improve Winfield even more."

Bensenville Mayor Frank Soto and Villa Park Village President Deborah Bullwinkel did not return calls.

• Daily Herald staff writers Justin Kmitch, Robert Sanchez, Katlyn Smith and Marie Wilson contributed to this report.