Candidates File for Downers Grove School Boards

Four incumbents and one newcomer were among the first to file petitions Monday in Downers Groves' two school board races.

In Community High School District 99, incumbent Deborah "Debbie" Boyle, the board's current vice president, was the first to file her nomination papers for the April 9 consolidated election at 8 a.m. Monday morning, according to District 99 spokesperson Jill Browning. 

Board President Bill White filed after Boyle, giving her top billing on the ballot, Browning said.

Four seats on the seven-member District 99 school board will be filled during the April 9 election. The four-year terms of Boyle, White, and Board Members Terry Pavesich and Julia Beckman will all expire next year.

Boyle and White were elected to their first terms in 2009. Beckman has served since 1993, while Pavesich has served since 2005.

In Downers Grove Grade School District 58, three incumbents and one newcomer have filed for the board's four open seats, according to Board Secretary Pam Osika.

Board Member John B. Cooper Jr., Vice President Sallie Ann Lupescu and newcomer James Paul all filed simultaneously at 8 a.m. Board Member Roberta Diehl also filed Monday.

A lottery will be held Dec. 27 to determine ballot positions for the first three candidates, Osika said.

The other seat up for election is currently held by Board President Stephen Funk, who has yet to file paperwork. Cooper, Lupescu and Funk were first elected in 2009, while Diehl has served since 2011.

Originally, the last filing date for candidates in the April 9 municipal election was Dec. 24. But thanks to an amendment to the Illinois Election Code recently signed by Gov. Pat Quinn, those candidates won’t have to rush during the holidays to get their nominating petitions in—and municipal clerks won’t have to work until 5 p.m. on Christmas Eve to accept the petitions. Now, the last day to file petitions is 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 26.

A school board candidate’s petition must be filed at the Administrative Service Center, 6301 Springside Ave. The building will only be open from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. on Dec. 26.

Petitions will be accepted by the District 58 board secretary during regular business hours Dec. 17-24 at the district office building, 1860 63rd St. The building will be open 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. on Dec. 26.

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