Lincoln-Way Education Association Recommends Board Candidates

NEW LENOX, IL — The Lincoln-Way Education Association has approved the recommendations of the Political Action Committee for candidates in the upcoming Board of Education election. According to the association, four candidates have received recommendations after an in-person meeting and interview with the PAC.

The Education Association is recommending current board members Beth Janus-Doyle and Joseph Kirkeeng, as well as new candidates Richard LaCien Jr. and Peter Wilkes.

The LWEA PAC said it bases its recommendations on the needs of the community, students, teachers and parents. The candidates are each running as independents, and their skills cover education, finance, vocational education, and law and ethics.

Janus-Doyle, a high school teacher, is currently finishing a 2-year term on the LW 210 Board of Education. The association said she is a strong voice for students and an advocate for teachers.

Kirkeeng is also finishing a 2-year term, and is a banking executive with experience navigating the nuances of school district financial matters, the association said.

LaCien is a local business owner with a passion for vocational education. The association said LaCien will be an advocate for all of our students, but will bring an additional emphasis on increasing the educational opportunities for Lincoln-Way’s non-college-bound students who might otherwise “fall through the cracks.”

Wilkes is Will County Assistant State’s Attorney and will bring ethical and legal expertise to the
Board of Education. The association said Wilkes is committed to being a local watchdog to ensure that all Lincoln-Way Board of Education policies and actions will be transparent, ethical, and held to stringent legal standards.

There are four open seats on the board in the April 2 election. Candidates running include: LaCien, Janus-Doyle, Wilkes, Kirkeeng, Hugh "Butch" McCorkie, and William Garrett.

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