La Grange Trustee Won't Run Again

LA GRANGE, IL – La Grange Trustee Michael Kotynek is not running for a third term on the Village Board, according to the village.

In releasing the list of candidates in the April election, Village Clerk Paul Saladino said Trustee Michael Kotynek wasn't seeking re-election.

Trustees Beth Augustine, Tim O'Brien and Shawana McGee are running in the April 4 election. O'Brien was appointed last year after Trustee Mike Matteucci resigned, saying he had a perceived conflict of interest.

Glenn Thompson, a co-founder of Dry Up La Grange, is running for a two-year unexpired term on the board.

Dry Up La Grange was formed in summer 2021, with members calling for quicker action on solving flooding problems.

For years, the Citizens Council of La Grange has recommended candidates for the Village Board – with consistent success.

But in a Facebook message to Patch, Thompson said the group was not following that practice this year. It plans a candidate forum, though, he said.

"I thought it was important to run to help the village as we continue to keep the village strong," Thompson said. "Dry Up has made great progress in connecting our elected officials with the village and bringing awareness to our needs. We worked hard to bring in our newly redistricted officials as well."

He said the village has had success in saving the theater, improving downtown and moving a parking plan forward.

"Now it is time to focus on how we increase funding for the village as we build our infrastructure plan," Thompson said. "We have roads, water and sewers that need work, and we need to be creative in how we approach these needs."

Four of the board's seven seats are up in the election. So far, the candidates are unopposed, which was the case two years ago.

Candidates have until Monday to file their paperwork with the village clerk.

Village President Mark Kuchler's term expires in 2025.