Candidate Midkiff drops out of Buffalo Grove trustee race

Gary Midkiff's campaign for the Buffalo Grove village board is over before it got off the ground.

Midkiff, who on Monday announced plans to run for village trustee, declared the campaign over Wednesday after learning he did not meet the residency requirements.

“I take sole responsibility for my mistake in not correctly understanding the residency requirements for this office,” Midkiff said in a written statement. “I am disappointed. I am also proud of my service on the Wauconda (Community Unit District 118) school board, which did not conclude until the end of April this year. I look forward to future involvement in my Buffalo Grove community, through both volunteer and political activity.”

Under state law, a candidate for municipal office must have lived in the community for at least 12 months before election day to qualify. Though he's lived in Buffalo Grove much of his adult life, Midkiff briefly lived outside the community before returning in May.

During that time he served on the District 118 school board. School board minutes show he attended an April 22 meeting as a voting member. He resigned seven days later, saying he was moving out of the school district.

Midkiff's exit from the race leaves incumbent Trustee Steven Trilling and former candidate Michael Terson as the only declared candidates for three four-year seats available in the April 5 election.

Another one-time candidate, Andrew Stein, is running for the two-year vacancy created by the recall of Trustee Lisa Stone. Trustee Jeffrey Braiman is running for village president. Current Village President Elliott Hartstein is not seeking re-election.

Petition packets are available at village hall, 50 Raupp Boulevard, and must be filed there between Dec. 13 and 20.