ELMHURST, IL – Elmhurst Alderman Michael Bram, who represents the northeast part of town, announced on social media Tuesday that he was running for another term in the April election.
"I look forward to having this opportunity again," Bram said. "Feel free to spread the news."
Bram, the longest-serving alderman, has represented Ward 3 for all but two years since 2001. He was away for two years because he ran for mayor, finishing second out of three candidates, with Scott Levin prevailing.
Bram is seen as focused on his constituents' needs. It's an area, particularly north of the expressway, where residents have long felt overlooked by City Hall. And the ward is not as wealthy as other parts of town.
During his time as alderman, Bram has pushed for sidewalks in his ward, which has the fewest in the city. He has seen success on this issue in the last couple of years. Over the summer, Bram has filmed himself for social media walking on new sidewalks in his ward.
In the 2021 mayoral election, Ward 3 showed its loyalty to Bram, giving him 52 percent of the vote. No other candidate got as high a percentage in any ward. Levin received 47 percent in his Ward 5, while then-Alderman Mark Mulliner drew 35 percent in his Ward 7.
Bram hasn't shied away from being the lone dissenting vote on the 14-member City Council.
On social media, he enjoys the support of a devoted group of fans, who often say he is the only alderman who listens to the people rather than the powerful.
When Bram left in 2021, his fellow Ward 3 alderman, Dannee Polomsky, who backed Levin for mayor, seemed to acknowledge this feeling in the community in her comments about Bram.
"Your voice resonates with those who do not always feel heard and reaches online audiences who never before followed city activity," she said.
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