Elk Grove board race already getting busy

The Elk Grove Village board race has already heated up, and filing doesn't open for another couple of months.

Mitch Gora, who ran for the board in 2005 and 2007 arguing against spending a lot of money to fight O'Hare Airport expansion, says he'll run again in April 2009.

"I'd like to give people a choice instead of everyone running unopposed all the time," Gora said.

Three, 4-year seats are open for election next spring. Trustee Christine Prochno, who recently lost the 66th district state House seat to Mark Walker, said she'll run for the village board again.

Trustee Pat Feichter also said he'll go for another term, and Jeff Franke, who was appointed to the board after Trustee Bart Dill stepped down, will run for his own term s well.

Unlike the board, Gora doesn't believe in pumping more money into the fight against the $15 billion airport expansion project, which will take land from the village's business park.

So far, the village has spent about $6 million, which includes donations from other local entities, on legal fees and support for a third regional airport.

Instead, Gora said, he'd press for talks with Chicago.

In 2007, Gora came in fourth out of six candidates, getting the largest number of votes of any non-incumbent.

Village Trustee James Petri narrowly beat Gora with about 1,500 votes compared to Gora's almost 1,300 votes.

Gora has lived in the village since 1993 with his wife, Janet and four kids. He is a U.S. Air Force veteran who is currently employed by the Illinois Department of Transporation. He is vice president of the Elk Grove Village Lions Club, a local charity organization.

Filing for the April 7 consolidated election is Jan. 19-26, 2009.