Why DuPage County Board member wants to be mayor of Downers Grove again

Former Downers Grove mayor Brian Krajewski wants his old job back.

Krajewski, a current DuPage County Board member seeking election next week to a 2-year seat representing District 3, has filed petitions to run for mayor of Downers Grove.

He will face current Downers Grove Commissioner Christopher Gilmartin during the April consolidated election.

Krajewski served as Downers Grove mayor from 1999 to 2007. He was elected to the county board in 2010.

Downers Grove limits mayors to two consecutive terms, which prevented current Mayor Robert Barnett from seeking reelection.

If reelected to the county board, Krajewski said he would resign his District 3 seat if he is elected mayor in the spring.

“I think there’s more opportunity to get things done in Downers Grove,” Krajewski said.

Gilmartin has served on the village board since 2021 and said he has challenged the status quo during his tenure.

He said he wants to see the fruits of the last four years’ worth of work the council did, including on its comprehensive plan, and active mobility and environmental sustainability plans.

“I’m just very interested to see those things through,” he said. “I’m excited about the vision we have for the village.”

During his tenure on the county board, Krajewski led efforts to build a new animal services facility and works to support programs offered by that department.

When asked why voters should still support his bid for county board, Krajewski said he would serve six months of the two-year term, adding there is still work he could do to help support animal services and other county programs.

He said the county board chair would appoint another Republican to fill his county board seat if his bid for mayor is successful.

ssarkauskas@dailyherald.com

Alicia Fabbre is a freelance reporter for the Daily Herald.