Downers Grove Commissioner William Waldack Will Not Seek Re-Election

Downers Grove Village Commissioner William Waldack announced Tuesday that he will not seek re-election in the April 2013 consolidated election.

Waldack, whose second term expires in May 2013, presented the news as his commissioner's report during Tuesday's council meeting. 

"I think it's time to take a step back," Waldack said. "I first thought about (running for village council) eight years ago over Thanksgiving dinner. Thanksgiving is coming up, and I will have different conversations at the table this year." 

Waldack, 62, has served on the Downers Grove Village Council since May 2005. He filed paperwork in November 2010 to run for former Mayor Ron Sandack's position in the 2011 consolidated election, but backed out two weeks later to allow current Mayor Martin Tully to run unopposed.

Citing personal discontent with the village's "core service" budget, he said he plans to spend more time serving organizations that help those in need. He currently works for Senior Home Sharing, an organization that provides affordable housing for DuPage County senior citizens, and the DuPage County Inter-Agency Paratransit Coordinating Council to provide transportation to seniors and people with disabilities.

He said he hopes to work with other DuPage County communities to provide the "whole apple," rather than just core services.

"(There are communities) that see value not in handing out or creating dependence, but helping people be as independent as they can be," Waldack said. "They look at that as making their communities healthier, wealthier and happier."

Waldack's seat is one of three up for grabs next April. Commissioners Bob Barnett and Marilyn Schnell filed their nominating petitions Monday morning, as did newcomers David S. Olsen and Susan Walaszek.

There were no other filings as of Tuesday evening, according to Downers Grove Village Clerk April Holden.

A lottery will be held Nov. 27 to determine ballot position, Holden said.

Barnett is currently serving his first term on the village council, and Schnell her fifth.

"I am honored to have had so many friends and families helping me get on the ballot to return to work as a member of the next Village Council," Barnett said in a press release. "With their continued work and assistance, I have no doubt the policies we began several years ago can be, and will be, continued. It has been a privilege to serve and I am looking forward to the public debate over the next several months about where we have been and where we are going." 

Olsen, 24, is currently serving as the 54th precinct committeeman for the Downers Grove Township Republican Organization. He graduated from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign in May 2011, according to his website. 

Walaszek is an attorney and human resource professional, and has served on the Downers Grove Human Service Commission, according to her Lawline faculty bio.

Due to Downers Grove's form of government (council-manager), the village council's filing dates do not coincide with other local races, such as school board or park district.

Candidates have until Monday, Nov. 26, to file petitions, though Village Hall will be closed Thursday and Friday for Thanksgiving. Papers are accepted from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

If more than 12 people file for the council's three open positions, a consolidated primary election will be held Feb. 26, 2013, Holden said.

The consolidated election will be held April 9, 2013.

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