College of DuPage hopefuls jockey for top spots on ballot
Mark Nowak is not attempting some odd power grab by filing for two trustee seats on the College of DuPage board, he's actually just looking for the best ballot position.
That's why he - and four other candidates - filed for the board's vacant two-year seat and one of the three open six-year terms available in the April 7 election.
"Strategy is basically what it boils down to," the incumbent said. "Wherever I have the best ballot position after the lottery will decide which seat I'll go after. And I think everybody that's doing this will probably tell you the same thing."
A peculiar Illinois election law allows candidates to file for multiple seats as long as the terms are different lengths, explained Doreen Nelson, DuPage County Election Commission assistant executive director. The rule applies to all taxing bodies, not just school districts.
However, once a lottery is held to determine ballot position for candidates who filed at the same time, the candidates have to decide which seat they're going to go after in April. In the case of College of DuPage trustee candidates, the lottery is Friday and they have to drop out of one race by 5 p.m. Monday.
Beside Nowak, incumbent COD board President Micheal McKinnon also filed for both seats as did challengers Ivan Fernandez, Allison O'Donnell and Dorothy Piorkowski.
"It's not one of those jobs that voters know a lot about, so every little thing like where your name is at helps," Nowak said.
Nine other challengers are vying for one of the six-year terms as well. Those candidates are Terrell Barnes, Sharon Giorno, Michael Ledonne, Matthew Nelson, Kim Savage, Nancy Svoboda, Jason Tupa, Lisa Wehr and Tom Wendorf.
Only three other candidates are seeking the open two-year term. Those candidates are Jeffrey Handel, Gino Impellizzeri and Sandy Kim.
Bensenville Elementary District 2 board member Jorge Sanchez attempted a similar campaign strategy by filing both for a seat with a two-year term or one of three with a four-year term. But he's the only candidate who filed for the two-year term and won't have to mount much of a fight to win the job.