2nd Alderman Joins Elmhurst Mayoral Race

ELMHURST, IL — Scott Levin, an Elmhurst alderman since 2010, announced on Sunday his plans to run for mayor in the April election. He served as acting mayor eight years ago.

Ward 5's Levin, an attorney, revealed his candidacy just days after it became publicly known that Mayor Steve Morley would not run for a third term. Ward 7 Alderman Mark Mulliner announced his bid for mayor last week.

In a news release, Levin said the change at the helm "comes at a time of great uncertainty as our country deals with the pandemic and social justice concerns."

Over the summer, Levin told the City Council he attended two local Black Lives Matter protests. While he said he didn't agree with everything he heard during the events — particularly the calls to defund police — he said, "I'll say to you that black lives do matter."

Starting in December 2012, Levin served as acting mayor for six months after then-Mayor Pete DiCianno resigned to serve on the elected DuPage County Board.

In 2009, Levin got involved in local government in a big way when he co-chaired the mayor's finance task force, which was created to address the $6 million deficit caused by the Great Recession. Levin's news release said he was the lead author of the task force's report.

"My interest in local government, my sense of justice and fairness, my leadership in every organization I join, and my ability to work well with people, including those who hold differing views, are all important," Levin said in the news release. "I will be independent, but I will work together with everyone for the good of the community. Above all, those who know me know that my integrity is beyond reproach."

Asked by Patch why he is the better of the two announced candidates, Levin replied in an email, "I think it is premature to start the debate on who is the better candidate. We do not yet know everyone who will be in the race. As I will more fully explain when the field of candidates is known, while Mark and I both have many years on the Council, I believe I have more extensive professional and educational qualifications, and my record shows I have served in many leadership positions, in contrast to Mark. That being said, I iterate that the time to start the debate has not yet come."

Mulliner has not returned a message for comment from Patch.

State Board of Elections records show that Levin donates to Republican campaigns, including for County Board Chairman Dan Cronin and state Rep. Deanne Mazzochi.

In 2019, Levin contributed $500 to the campaign fund of DiCianni, who is still on the county board. Over the summer, DiCianni became a lightning rod after arguing with counterprotesters at a pro-police rally in Elmhurst.

State records show that Mulliner has only made one political donation over the last two decades — to then-Mayor Thomas Marcucci's campaign in 2001.

Levin has been an attorney for 35 years and is a partner with Chicago-based Howard & Howard Attorneys. According to the news release, Levin was selected as an Illinois Super Lawyer from 2005 to 2020 and an Illinois Leading Lawyer from 2010 to 2020.

After earning a degree in business administration and a master's in public administration, Levin was selected for an Illinois Governor's Internship and stayed with the state government for nine years. In that time, he served as deputy executive director of the Illinois Criminal Justice Authority.

Levin also has been involved in local groups. He was chairman of the Elmhurst Chamber of Commerce, president of his neighborhood association, vice president of the Chiefs Hockey Club, board member of the Blues Hockey Club, member of the Focus 205 Community Engagement facilitating team, chair of several PTA committees and chief of his son's YMCA Guides group.

Levin also has volunteered his legal services to the Special Kids Day, Life Education Center and York Hockey Club organizations in Elmhurst.