Independent candidate joins Hanover Park trustee race
Yasmeen Bankole, an outreach coordinator in U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin's Chicago office, will run as an independent candidate for village trustee in Hanover Park, where she's lived for 23 years.
In doing so, Bankole creates a challenge in the spring election to the trustee candidates in the slate announced by Village President Rodney Craig last week. She will be seeking one of the three available 4-year terms on the village board.
Bankole said she knows Craig professionally through her current job, but he may not have been aware of her decision to run for trustee when he was organizing his slate.
"I believe that Hanover Park residents deserve committed, transparent and effective local government," Bankole said. "As the COVID-19 pandemic continues on, Hanover Park officials should do more to support the well-being of the community and use a consensus building mindset to address the concerns of our residents. I also believe local government must continually invest in economic development partnerships, that support our small businesses and strengthen our tax base."
Bankole has a Bachelor of Science degree in environmental studies from the SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry and a master's degree in global affairs from the University of Denver. She said she previously served as a constituent services liaison for Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi, overseeing the military service academy nomination program for his district and casework assignments.
"Now, more than ever, we need elected officials that represent and serve the interests of our community," Bankole said. "If elected, I will put my public service experience to work in order to protect taxpayers, advocate for continued fiscal responsibility and support working families during the COVID-19 pandemic and beyond."
The slate of candidates announced last week for Craig's Hanover Park Strong party includes himself for village president, incumbent Bob Prigge and newcomers Tonya Frosheiser and Syed Hussaini for the three 4-year trustee seats available, appointed incumbent Liza Gutierrez for the available 2-year trustee term, and newcomer Kristy Merrill for village clerk.