LTHS Candidate Drops Out Of Race

LA GRANGE, IL – One of the nine candidates for the Lyons Township High School board has withdrawn from the race.

Late last month, Jill VanHimbergen announced she decided against running in the April 4 election. She submitted her name in December.

In a message to Patch, she said she would support incumbents Kari Dillon, the board's president, and Jill Beda Daniels.

In a Jan. 25 Facebook post, VanHimbergen said she withdrew after attending board meetings, talking with board members and residents, and learning what board membership requires.

She promised to continue paying close attention to the high school.

VanHimbergen also said board members dedicate a lot of time and energy to an unpaid position.

"They may not always make decisions you personally agree with, but if you really want to make change at LT, make school board members and administrators your allies, not your adversaries," she said. "Insults and vitriol aimed at our schools and school employees will only sow division, not lead to the productive change you wish to see."

VanHimbergen said she originally threw her hat into the ring because she was a mother and has been a teacher. The high school, she said, is at the core of the community.

"These children are diverse in ability, talents, desires, race, culture, religion, socioeconomic background, among many other factors that make them unique," she said.

With VanHimbergen's departure, eight candidates remain – Dillon, Daniels, Tim Albores, Justin Clark, Frank Evans, David Herndon, Gina Sirchio-Lotus and Tim Vlcek.

Three of the board's seven seats are up in the election.