Glen Ellyn group seeking candidates

Glen Ellyn's Civic Betterment Party is on the lookout for village and library board candidates.

The committee has started interviewing prospective candidates for the spring election, but it's still seeking more candidates for village president, village clerk, three village trustees seats and three library trustees posts.

"We've had a tremendous response, but we need more," said Alex Demos, chairman of the committee. "We need to encourage anyone and everyone."

The Civic Betterment Party slates candidates for local offices at a town meeting held several months before elections. Everyone in town is encouraged to attend and vote on which names should appear on the ballot. This year's town meeting is planned for Nov. 22 at the village's civic center.

Demos said there are many changes to the party this year, including new management.

More than half the people on the nominating committee are new this year, and leaders are trying to at least double the amount of residents who attend the town meeting.

Usually, just under 1,000 residents vote at the town hall meeting. This year, officials hope to have several thousand people attend.

Trustee Pete Ladesic, who ran for trustee as an independent and won after Civic Betterment Party's nominating committee didn't select him, is encouraging independent candidates to go through the committee.

"Knowing that there are some changes that are on the horizon with that party," Ladesic said, "I would recommend to go that route."