Lombard man to fill DuPage board vacancy

The Lombard resident tapped to replace former DuPage County Board member Brien Sheahan is vowing to be fully committed to the job, despite the short tenure of the appointment.

“I want to be a voice for people to be heard,” said Michael Ledonne, who is county board Chairman Dan Cronin’s pick to finish Sheahan’s term, which ends Nov. 30.

The full board is expected to approve Ledonne’s appointment during its Tuesday night meeting. He would become one of three board members representing District 2 until after the general election.

District 2 includes all or parts of Addison, Clarendon Hills, Downers Grove, Elmhurst, Hinsdale, Lisle, Lombard, Naperville, Oak Brook, Oakbrook Terrace, Villa Park, Westmont and Woodridge.

Ledonne, a 40-year-old Republican, bested 12 other applicants for the District 2 vacancy, which was created last month when Sheahan resigned.

Cronin said he chose Ledonne because he “knows firsthand the financial strains that the private and public sectors are facing.” Ledonne works as a merchandise supply chain manager for Sears Holdings Corp. in Hoffman Estates.

“Michael has a successful background in both the public and private sector that will guide him to decide what is best for our residents,” Cronin said in a statement. “I know he will provide leadership on the board as we continue to provide a more transparent and accountable form of local government.”

Ledonne says he plans to be an active member on the board, especially when it comes to budgetary issues.

“The people of the county are demanding that government work better,” he said. “People are being pressured at their jobs to be more efficient. Now they are turning to the government and saying, ‘If I have to do it, so do you.’”

While Ledonne has never held public office, he is involved in the Lombard community.

In addition to serving as vice president of the St. Pius X Grade School Board, Ledonne is a volunteer athletic coach. He is also a member of the York Township Senior Education Commission and the Lombard Community Relations Committee.

Ledonne said he wants to be a part of an effort to make county government is more responsive and fiscally responsible. “Our goal is to transform the government of DuPage into a model for other counties to emulate,” he said.

In the meantime, there are eight candidates seeking the Republican nomination for one of three District 2 seats on the board during the March 20 primary.

The GOP challengers are: Lombard Trustee Zachary Wilson; Mike Loftus of Lisle; Rafael Rivadeneira of Elmhurst; Sean Noonan of Elmhurst; Elmhurst Mayor Pete DiCianni; Jim Long of Downers Grove; Charles Mueller of Elmhurst; and Oak Brook Trustee Elaine Zannis.

The Republican primary winners will face Democrat Elizabeth “Liz” Chaplin of Downers Grove during the November general election.