Breen, Sanguinetti likely hanging on to municipal seats — for now
Despite moving forward in state races Tuesday, it appears unlikely two DuPage County politicians will abandon their municipal seats anytime soon.
Peter Breen, a member of Lombard's village board, and Evelyn Pacino Sanguinetti, a member of the Wheaton City Council, both will be campaigning over the next eight months for offices in state government.
Breen captured the Republican nomination in the 48th House District Tuesday while Sanguinetti advanced with Bruce Rauner in the gubernatorial race as the Republican candidate for lieutenant governor.
On Wednesday, Breen said he has no plans to step down from the village board for now.
“I'm glad to continue serving the people of Lombard,” he said. “At this point, I'm fully focused on my duties as a trustee.”
No Democratic has filed for the 48th House seat, but Breen said he will continue to meet with constituents and prepare to campaign for the November election.
He said, however, that balancing the demands of campaigning for the primary election with his responsibilities as a village trustee weren't as difficult as making sure he had enough time to dedicate to his career as vice president and senior counsel for the Thomas Moore Society.
“Being a village trustee is a very part-time job, so really, the struggle is balancing your full-time job with the campaign,” he said.
Breen was elected to the village board in 2011, which means his term is scheduled to end in May 2015. If chosen to take on the role of state representative, he would need to step down from the village board before taking state office on Jan. 1.
Village officials said if Breen resigns, President Keith Giagnorio and the village board will be responsible for appointing a person to take over his seat until it is filled in the April 7, 2015, consolidated election.
The same situation will play out for Sanguinetti, who was elected to her city council seat in 2011 and whose term is also ending next year. She could not be immediately reached Wednesday.
Wheaton Mayor Michael Gresk said Sanguinetti is a “very dynamic and energetic individual” who was able to balance campaigning for the primary election with her duties as a city councilwoman.
“I would expect that she would participate as fully as she can in her city council matters,” he said of her continued campaigning through November. “I don't foresee a problem with it.”
City Clerk Sharon Barrett-Hagen said if Sanguinetti steps down, Gresk and the city council would be responsible for appointing someone to temporarily hold her position within 60 days of her submitting her resignation.