Des Plaines City Clerk Dominik Bronakowski Relaunches Candidate Guides Ahead of Spring 2027 Election

Des Plaines City Clerk Dominik Bronakowski announced today, on August 25th, 2026, that the Clerk's Office is reintroducing Candidate Guides for residents interested in running for City Council in the April 2027 municipal election.

Beginning today, prospective candidates can pick up a free Candidate Guide from the City Clerk's Office, located on the sixth floor of Des Plaines City Hall. The guide includes required forms, filing instructions, key deadlines, ward maps, and a step-by-step checklist to help candidates prepare their nomination papers.

The guide was developed in partnership with the Cook County Clerk Monica Gordon's Office, combining resources into a single, streamlined packet for anyone considering a run for local office.

"One of the promises I made to the residents of Des Plaines when I was elected Clerk is that local government should be as easy as possible to participate in," said Bronakowski. "Too many qualified candidates get knocked off the ballot over technicalities that are entirely avoidable. This guide ensures that every resident who wants to run, has an equal opportunity to run."

The initiative reflects the Clerk's Office's broader effort to modernize operations and improve transparency and accessibility for Des Plaines residents. In September 2025, the office expanded access to city services regardless of a resident's primary language by launching Language Line Insight, an ADA-compliant translation app that ensures every resident can communicate with their government, no matter what language they speak.

Residents interested in running for City Council, or with questions about the candidate filing process, are encouraged to visit the City Clerk's Office at City Hall or learn more online at desplainesil.gov/Your-Government/City-Clerk.