Mayor Bury Endorses Bob Stokas for Dist. 218 Board of Education

OAK LAWN, IL -- More than 70% of our local tax bills fund schools, yet most residents show very little interest in their local school board elections. Many taxpayers don’t know about the upcoming election, and I am writing this letter to encourage all voters to go to the polls on April 2 and vote for the candidates who will fight for them. CHSD 218, which includes Oak Lawn’s excellent Richards High School, has consistently ranked in the top 100 in the state.

The race for the D218 school board is one of the most watched in this election cycle. Fiscal conservative Bob Stokas is being challenged by politically connected Tricia O’Sullivan, wife of Worth Township Supervisor and long-time political operative John O’Sullivan. Incumbent Bob Stokas has been an incredible asset for our community, champion for the taxpayers and advocate for all students. I have never seen a school board member work harder for our children, residents and taxpayers, and I am proud to strongly endorse him.

Bob worked with administrators to promote excellence, and Richards High School has been recognized for two years in a row by US News and World Report as a Silver Medal Winner. He spearheaded the successful effort to obtain a $6 million rebate for SD218 taxpayers which will directly reduce your tax bill, he voted NO for multiple tax increases (including last year’s $1.56 million tax increase), fought for stronger residency checks, and fought to reduce costs on the new Performing Arts Center which saved taxpayers more than $9 million.

Because all district taxpayers fund SD218 but not all have children attending their schools, Bob fought to ensure services and facilities are open to all residents, not just current students. If you send your children to a private school, or home school them, he worked to make sure they could participate in SD218’s college prep program. Private school students from the district are now invited to programs offered during the summer, including STEM programs. Additionally he participated in community meetings to ensure input from taxpayers on critical issues of the district.

Bob's volunteer efforts on behalf of students and taxpayers have made a significant difference in our community. He is endorsed by IEA Local 218 (D218 Teacher’s Union) and IEA-NEI Local 318 (D218 Maintenance and Custodial Staff), Worth Township Democratic Committeewoman Patricia Joan Murphy and most elected municipal officials in Oak Lawn and Chicago Ridge. Please re-elect Bob Stokas to the District 218 School Board. He has done an amazing job for our community and always puts our kid’s needs before politics.

Dr. Sandra Bury

Mayor, Village of Oak Lawn