Two file for Oak Brook village president

An Oak Brook cardiologist who says the village suffers from a leadership gap that threatens to turn it into a “laughingstock” will challenge the incumbent village president in April.

Dr. Gopal Lalmalani, a member of the village plan commission, filed nominating petitions Monday. He will run against incumbent Village President John W. Craig, who is seeking a second term.

“I think people cannot tolerate four more years of what's been going on,” Lalmalani said.

Oak Brook has been in the media spotlight for a series of harsh comments at public meetings as the village turned to employee layoffs to offset a sharp decline in sales tax revenues.

Resident Constantine “Connie” Xinos characterized librarians as “people who are making $100,000 a year wiping tables and putting the books back on the shelves” and firefighters and policemen as “street people” who “only understand civilized force.”

“It's become sort of a laughingstock,” Lalmalani said. “Every time you open the newspaper, there is something or other.”

Craig, who was a trustee for eight years before becoming village president, said the layoffs, including the head librarian, were necessary to balance the budget. “I‘ve maintained reserves of over $9 million, and the only way I do that is fiscal responsibility,” he said.

Oak Brook does not have a local property tax, and neither candidate supports increasing taxes.

“We have to live within our means,” Craig said.

Lalmalani said he also is concerned about lack of transparency and accountability in village government.

“Oak Brook has been a preeminent community with high stands of ethics and government... I think we need to get back on track again,” he said.

Incumbent Village Clerk Charlotte K. Pruss filed her nominating petitions Monday for a four-year term.

Four candidates filed for the three trustee seats that also will be open in the April 5 election. They are incumbents James Carson and Gerald Wolin; Anthony DiCanio, president of the Fullersburg Woods Homeowners Association; and former trustee Asif Yusuf.