Darien May See Competitive Elections In 2 Wards

DARIEN, IL – At least two Darien wards may see competition in next April's election.

Late last week, Darien released information on who has picked up petition packets at City Hall for the city's elected posts. Candidates can also retrieve the information from DuPage County.

So far, Darien's two-term mayor, Joseph Marchese, is the only person to pick up the mayoral packet.

The same goes for three other incumbents: City Clerk Joanne Ragona, Treasurer Michael Coren and Ward 2 Alderman Ralph Stompanato.

For Ward 6, two residents, Joe Myczek and David Leatherwood, have picked up petition packets. The current two-term alderman, Eric Gustafson, isn't running again.

Ward 6 is Darien's westernmost. It includes Elizabeth Ide Elementary School, the Darien Towne Centre and the Darien-Woodridge Fire District station. The ward borders Woodridge.

Both Myczek and Leatherwood have spoken during City Council meetings over the years.

In early 2024, Myczek addressed the issue of migrants that Texas was sending on buses to the Chicago area. He said they may use vacant buildings.

"I'm sure other citizens are concerned about what (the buildings) may be used for temporarily," he said. "It's happened in other communities. I think people are kind of concerned."

More recently, Myczek, who lives on Ailsworth Drive, wondered why the city was seeking stormwater money for Linden and Gail avenues, but not his neighborhood, another flooding hotspot.

"I've been trying to get this addressed for a long time," he said. "I'm not trying to take anything away from the people in that area."

In 2023, Leatherwood brought a problem Airbnb in his neighborhood to the city's attention. He said it had been rented out every weekend for the previous two months.

"I don't think anyone wants a hotel next to their house," Leatherwood told aldermen. "We had a 45-foot bus pull up in front of my 90-year-old neighbor's driveway at 11 o'clock at night... The entire cul-de-sac was full of cars."

Later that year, the council banned the renting of homes for less than 30 days.

In Ward 4, two candidates, Carolyn Gattuso and Nicolette Webster, have picked up packets, according to the city.

Ward 4 is a slim, vertically shaped section of Darien that includes Farmingdale Apartments, Hinsbrook Plaza and Our Lady of Peace Catholic Church. The ward is in eastern Darien.

The incumbent is Gerry Leganski, who defeated then-Alderman Tom Chlystek in the 2023 election. On Monday, Patch left a message for comment with Leganski on whether he plans to run again.

Gattuso served as the Ward 4 alderman from 2005 to 2011.

Webster is a registered dietitian for Northwestern Medicine. She previously worked for the state Department of Corrections. She received her bachelor's and master's degrees in 2020 and 2021, respectively.

The candidate filing period is from Nov. 16 to Nov. 23.