Bolingbrook First Party Plans Diversity Rally

BOLINGBROOK, IL -- The Bolingbrook First Party, led by Mayor Roger C. Claar, will host an event to celebrate Bolingbrook's diversity this Thursday.

"The World in Bolingbrook - Celebrating Our Diversity Rally" is slated for 5 to 7 p.m. Thursday at the Hilton Garden Inn, 135 Remington Boulevard.

According to the Facebook event page, the rally will include entertainment and food celebrating Bolingbrook's diverse population, with food stations representing Asian, Mexican, Pakistani and traditional American cuisine, as well as soul food.

Cost to attend is $5 per person, $10 per couple or $15 per family. Kids age 12 and under are admitted free. Tickets are available at the Bolingbrook First campaign office, 128 E. Boughton Road (behind Portillo's) and guests are invited to RSVP online.

The event comes a week after the Southwest Suburban Immigrant project hosted a vigil to support the area's immigrant population.

The Bolingbrook First Party candidates seeking re-election on April 4 are the following, along with Claar:

• Village Clerk Carol Penning, now in her seventh term
• Trustee Mike Lawler, who has served on the board since 1995
• Trustee candidate Shelton L. Watts, who was recently sworn in to fill a vacancy on the village board
• Trustee Maria A. Zarate, elected in 2013

Running against them are members of the Bolingbrook United slate:

• Will County board member Jackie Traynere for mayor
• Labor attorney Jaime Olson for village clerk
• Trustee candidate Robert Jaskiewicz, owner of a business lending firm
• Trustee candidate Mary Helen Reyna, owner of a firm that specializes in immigration law
• Trustee candidate Terri Ransom, an IT consultant