La Grange Leader Backs Township Official, With Limit

LA GRANGE, IL – Lyons Township's elected supervisor has La Grange's village president in his corner, but there's a limit.

Since 2022, Village President Mark Kuchler has given Christopher Getty four donations, totaling $1,250.

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The latest donation was for $500 in February, coming from Kuchler's campaign account. The rest was from Kuchler directly, according to state election board records.

Getty, who is running as an independent for Congress in the 4th District, is also mayor of Lyons.

In response to Patch's inquiry, Kuchler said, "I supported Chris in his role as Mayor and township Supervisor and continue to support him in those roles."

But Kuchler said he backed Democrat Patty Garcia in the congressional race, saying he has contributed to her campaign.

Last year, U.S. Rep. Jesus "Chuy" Garcia, a Democrat who represents much of La Grange, announced his departure just before the filing deadline.

His chief of staff, Patty Garcia, who is unrelated, was the only one who got an early heads-up. So she gathered enough petition signatures in time, letting her run unopposed in the Democratic primary.

Many, including Getty, criticized Garcia for his late announcement. The House reprimanded Garcia.

Getty, who donated $300 to Kuchler's campaign in 2025, has gone unopposed for the local offices in the last few election cycles.

Over the years, Getty has raised $635,000 in campaign contributions from companies that do business with the village of Lyons and Lyons Township, a Patch analysis found.

His political committee also bought a car with campaign dollars earlier this year. He didn't publicly explain the purchase.

Recently, the township's elected clerk, Elyse Hoffenberg, accused Getty of rarely showing up to the township office.

Getty, who also runs an insurance agency, makes full-time pay as both mayor and township supervisor, totaling $160,000.

Hoffenberg has also alleged that Getty is surveilling her.

Getty disputed her assertions.