4 Run For Clarendon Hills Offices, Call For Ending Divisions

CLARENDON HILLS, IL – Clarendon Hills could see its first competitive election for village president and trustee positions in years.

On Tuesday, four residents announced a slate in next April's election – Keith Chval for village president and Kathleen Hirsman, Erika Jones and Derek White for three trustee positions.

Clarendon Hills has not witnessed a contested village president election since the Obama administration. The last competitive Village Board election was in 2021.

It is unclear whether Village President Eric Tech plans to run for a second term. Patch left a message Tuesday.

The last four years have been rocky for the village government. The board ousted the fire chief and the village manager, giving them severance packages.

And trustees have pursued controversial downtown plans despite residents' opposition. They dropped their proposed plaza in its original form.

Of the slate candidates, both Hirsman and Jones have questioned the village's downtown proposals.

Chval and Hirsman are perhaps best known locally for their service on the Hinsdale High School District 86 board.

In a news release, the candidates said their positions on any single current village issue will not be part of their platform.

They said they want to move beyond current divisions and ensure future decisions reflect a wide range of views.

At the same time, the candidates said residents have been concerned about the lack of public disclosure on village issues and heightened tensions among neighbors.

"The group intends to restore public confidence in the Village's government by adhering to good governance practices through constructive dialogue and transparent process," the group said.

The candidates said they plan to kick off their election efforts with a petition-signing meet-and-greet event from 7:30 a.m. to 9 a.m. Wednesday at Tierra Distilling Co. & Cafe, 211 Burlington Ave.

In July, former Clarendon Hills Trustee Taps Gallagher announced he would run for trustee. He has criticized the Village Board's handling of downtown plans.