Several DuPage County towns already have contested mayoral races

The race for several mayoral seats got off to a fast start Monday in DuPage County, with candidates emerging to challenge the incumbents in Wood Dale and Oak Brook.

Meanwhile, the mayor of Carol Stream, so far, is running unopposed.

The filing period for mayor, city councils, school boards, park boards, library boards and other elected posts continues through Dec. 17. That will set the ballot for the April election.

Here's an early look at the mayoral races:

Wood Dale

Annunziato "Nunzio" Pulice is expected to face a familiar opponent in his bid for a third term as mayor.

Kenneth P. Johnson, the three-term incumbent Pulice defeated in 2011, has filed to run again.

"The number-one reason I am running for mayor is to reverse the economic decline of the city of Wood Dale," Johnson said in a statement.

Johnson said the city had no debt and $22 million in the bank when he left office seven years ago. He claims the current administration has incurred $42 million in debt and reduced cash reserves to $9 million.

After the "frivolous" spending of $1.35 million on a new clock tower at Irving Park and Wood Dale roads, Johnson said "the time has come to restore fiscal discipline to city government."

But Pulice said Wood Dale is making positive steps forward.

"We're cleaning up a lot of mess from years ago," he said after filing for re-election Monday morning. "We want to make sure that the people are taken care of. The citizens should be taken care of the right way."

For example, he said, the city is working on a large stormwater project that's going to reduce flooding for hundreds of houses.

Pulice said Johnson is expected to join other candidates who will challenge him and members of the city council.

"They're basically trying to take over the council so they can do what they want," he said. "Everything I have done is for the betterment of the community."

Oak Brook

Oak Brook Village President Gopal Lalmalani will have to defeat at least one opponent to secure a third term.

Sitting Trustee John Baar and Lalmalani filed nominating petitions Monday morning to enter the race for village president.

"I've always had an opponent," said Lalmalani, noting he defeated two challengers in 2015.

Lalmalani said he's running again because the village is at a crossroads with McDonald's moving its corporate headquarters to downtown Chicago.

"McDonald's was the largest corporate entity in Oak Brook for 45 years," he said. "There's now a vacuum in Oak Brook."

Lalmalani said he wants to see the former McDonald's site redeveloped.

"Standing still is not an option," he said.

The village must keep its commercial corridor dynamic and active, Lalmalani said.

"Based on my strong record of success as village president," he said, "I think I need to be there during this transition."

Carol Stream

In Carol Stream, incumbent Frank Saverino is seeking a fourth term as mayor. No challenger has yet to emerge.

Saverino said he decided to run again, in part, because he enjoys serving the village.

"I love the people, and I love doing what we do," he said.

He said officials have achieved many of their goals, including maintaining "good" roads and building a newly expanded village hall.

Naperville, Wheaton and Downers Grove

Although filing began Monday in most DuPage towns, others already have completed their filing periods for mayor.

In Naperville, incumbent Steve Chirico, who is finishing his first term as mayor, will face newcomer Richard "Rocky" Caylor.

In Wheaton, two city councilmen - Phil Suess and John Prendiville - are vying to succeed Mayor Michael Gresk, who is stepping down after three terms.

And with Downers Grove Mayor Martin Tully stepping down because the village has term limits, three candidates have emerged to replace him. The candidates are David Olsen and village commissioners Bob Barnett and Marge Earl.