Ortega, Santman running for Palatine village council

Two challengers have emerged in next year’s election for Palatine village council.

Melissa Ortega announced she is running for the District 2 seat currently occupied by Scott Lamerand, while Deanna Santman said she is seeking the District 5 seat held by Kollin Kozlowski.

Ortega is a crisis counselor and mother of two who lives near the downtown.

She said her work supporting residents through some of their most difficult moments has shaped how she thinks about local leadership and her focus on community.

“As a counselor, I’ve dedicated my life to helping people in crisis — making sure they have what they need, feel safe, have a place and a voice,” she said. “I’m running to bring that same commitment to this community, as a mom raising my family here, a volunteer and an advocate for a Palatine where everyone can thrive.”

Santman has a background in financial oversight, education and public service. A mother of two, she has spent her career training bank executives on institutional accountability.

She currently serves as PTA treasurer at Lake Louise Elementary School and fosters children in her home.

“Professionally, I train bank CEOs and CFOs on how to plan their institutions’ budgets and manage risk, and plan to bring this expertise to the village,” she said.

szalusky@dailyherald.com