See Who Is Vying For Elmhurst Alderman

ELMHURST, IL — Ten Elmhurst residents are vying to be appointed to two vacant seats on the City Council. In early May, Mayor Steve Morley told the council that two council members — Ward 1's Mark Sabatino and Ward 4's Kevin York — had resigned.

The mayor has the power to appoint replacements, with the council's approval. York had already resigned before the council meeting where Morley made the announcement. York's reason was a "personal situation where he took necessary steps he needed to take," the mayor said.

Read the resumes, applications and cover letters of the 10 applicants for City Council.

After Morley announced Sabitino was leaving, the alderman told his colleagues that he was moving for work in Nashville.

York's Ward 4 consists of neighborhoods in the city's east central part of town and includes Sandburg Middle School. Sabatino's Ward 1 is to the west and includes York High School and Elmhurst College. Each ward is represented by two aldermen.

York's term was set to expire in 2021 and Sabatino's in 2023.

Four candidates are applying for Sabatino's Ward 1 position, while six are vying for York's Ward 4 seat. Patch obtained the applications and resumes for the 10 applicants from Edgar Pal, a citizen watchdog, who received them through a public records request to the city.

Here is information about the 10 candidates:

WARD 1

• Diane Emich — A 22-year resident of Elmhurst, Emich is a licensed attorney, but currently is not practicing. She said she has worked with both Sabatino and Ward 1 Alderwoman Marti Deuter's campaigns over the last seven years. She is the chairwoman of the Elmhurst YMCA board. "My goal, if appointed, is working with the City Council to continue building local businesses and tax base, improving and maintaining infrastructure and protecting the gains the city has already obtained in light of our current pandemic and reduced budget," she said in a letter to the mayor.
• Kevin Flanagan — A four-year resident, Flanagan is vice president of commercial services at Boyer-Rosene Moving & Storage in Arlington Heights. According to his resume, he has successfully managed several high-profile relocation projects, including Parts Town, CH Robinson and Paylocity. He has a master's degree in supply chain management from Elmhurst College. He said his ties to Elmhurst predate his residency, noting he grew up in nearby Northlake. "I've always admired Elmhurst as a city but more as a community, representing an amazing place to raise a family," he said in his application.
• Jennifer Veremis — A 22-year resident, Veremis owns two Elmhurst businesses, The Beauty Lounge since 2004 and Goal.Get.Her Inc., a lifestyle and business coaching firm, since last year. She is on the City Centre's board of directors. "I've built trusted relationships with the residents and business owners in Ward 1 and throughout Elmhurst," she said in her letter to the mayor. "During my time in Elmhurst, our town has flourished before my eyes and I would love to help drive its continued growth."
• Melissa Villanueva — A 5½-year resident, Melissa Villanueva is the CEO and founder of Brewpoint Coffee in Elmhurst. She has been an economic development commissioner in Elmhurst and served on the marketing committee for the Elmhurst City Centre. "Especially in light of the current crisis, I believe finding the balance of supporting residents alongside of small businesses will be the key to a flourishing community," she said in her letter to the mayor.

WARD 4

• Michael Baker — A 32-year resident, Baker, who has a bachelor's degree from Bradley University, is a senior account manager for Multimedia Sales & Marketing. He is president of the Elmhurst Heritage Foundation. The process of hiring Dave Oberg as museum director helped Baker build closer relationships with city officials. "As Elmhurst works to move forward from the current shutdown, I think it especially important to have respectful dialogue, as tough discussions and decisions are ahead," he said in his letter to the mayor.
• Brian Cahill — An 18-year resident, Cahill is president and CEO of Diesel Radiator Co. He has a master's degree in biomedical engineering. He is involved with IC Church, YMCA and the American Youth Soccer Organization. In his application, Cahill said he believed his well-rounded background could help Elmhurst continue to be a "wonderful place to live and raise a family."
• Kevin Gibbs — A 10-year-resident, Gibbs holds a master's degree in urban planning. He now works for JLL as an economic development manager. For 11 years, he worked for the city of Chicago as a GIS coordinator for the health department and then chief operations analyst for the police department. In his application, he said his background in urban planning and economic development would be an asset to the city. He also said he has experience in real estate site selection analytics and public safety.
• Kevin O'Keeffe — A 30-year resident, O'Keeffe, who holds a bachelor's degree in journalism, is the executive director of the Bolingbrook Area Chamber of Commerce. He has been involved in the Elmhurst Heritage Foundation and the Elmhurst Jaycees. He previously worked as the director of membership for the Elmhurst Chamber of Commerce.
• David Simek — A one-year resident, David Simek is the director, bartender and server for Studio Movie Grill. He graduated in 2019 from Northern Illinois University with a bachelor's degree in engineering technology. In his application, Simek said he would vote for legislation with the "intent of bettering the lives" of Elmhurst residents.
• Mary Clare Sullivan — A 29-year resident, Sullivan is on the adjunct faculty at the College of DuPage and Harper College. She holds a master's degree in teaching and a bachelor's degree in finance and accounting. While raising four children, she participated as a eucharistic minister for Visitation Catholic Church, made weekly visits to Elmhurst Hospital patients on behalf of clergy and coached cross country and track when Visitation needed the help, noting she is an avid runner and marathoner, according to her letter to the mayor. "I have the business acumen, name recognition and political background that suits Elmhurst needs and growth," she said.