Phipps leads early on in Wayne president race

Early, unofficial returns show Wayne President Eileen Phipps leading in her bid to be reelected.

As of 7:30 p.m., she had 202 votes, to Peter Mourousias' 173.

Phipps is seeking her eighth term. She had not faced an opponent since 1999. But controversy erupted in 2021 when her husband shot and killed a neighbor's dog, contending the large dog ran on to the Phippses' property and menaced him. The dog, Ludwig, had bitten Hal Phipps several weeks earlier. The dog's owner denied Ludwig was on the Phippses' property, and that the dog was gentle and friendly. A "Justice for Ludwig" campaign developed, and the Mousouriases were part of it.

The Kane County State's Attorney ruled the shooting was justified. People were upset the village did not cite Hal Phipps for firing a gun within village limits.

Mousourias started attending village board meetings. He said village board meetings were poorly run and that Phipps and the village board did not communicate well with residents.