Nine Candidates File for Village Council

Updated: 5:30 p.m.

Nine candidates filed nominating petitions for three open seats on the Downers Grove Village Council, while Commissioner William Waldack filed as a mayoral candidate, challenging former commissioner Martin Tully to succeed newly appointed State Sen. Ron Sandack.

Monday was the final day for candidates to file for the 2011 village council election. will be held Tuesday to determine ballot order for candidates Sean P. Durkin, Geoff Neustadt, Dominic Scalzetti and Mark Thoman, who filed simultaneously on Nov. 15.

Neustadt did not file as a mayoral candidate, despite saying he would do so if Sandack abandoned his quest for a second term in order to fill the state senate vacancy left by Dan Cronin. Sandack's appointment was announced Nov. 18, but he hasn't yet officially withdrawn from the mayoral race.

"The reason is that I think my vote and my leadership is needed on the village council rather than to run for mayor and possibly lose," Neustadt said.

Waldack, who will be mid-way through his second council term next April, said he is motivated by "what is best for the community.

"The important thing is that we have a change in leadership," he said. "We need a change in leadership to change the direction of the council."

The crowded field for village council is as follows: Durkin, Greg Hose, Michael Maley, Neustadt, John Page, Becky Rheintgen, Scalzetti, Craig Skala and Thoman. Durkin and Neustadt are incumbents running for their second council terms.