Four Enter Race for Downers Grove Village Council

Two incumbents and two newcomers were the first to file petitions Monday in the race for Downers Grove Village Council.

Commissioners Bob Barnett and Marilyn Schnell, and newcomers David S. Olsen and Susan Walaszek, all filed nomination papers for the the April 9 consolidated election at 8 a.m. Monday morning, according to Downers Grove Village Clerk April Holden.

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

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.

The four-year terms for commissioners William Waldack, Barnett and Schnell all expire in May 2013. Barnett is currently serving his first term on the village council, Schnell her fifth and Waldack his second.

Waldack announced during Tuesday's village council meeting that he does not intend to seek re-election.

READ: Downers Grove Commissioner William Waldack Will Not Seek Re-Election

Olsen is currently serving as the Republican committeeman for Downers Grove Township's 54th precinct. 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.

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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