News Flash - Municipal Elections in Plainfield

Something strange is in the air in Plainfield this time around for the upcoming Municipal Elections. There are 3 seats up for grabs with 2 incumbents scrambling to hold on and 3 challengers vying to get noticed. The local chamber of commerce, which normally holds candidate meet and greet, has not done anything this time. The local Republican party held a meet and greet but conveniently forgot to inform all candidates about it in time. Even then, some of the new comers crashed the party and managed to get a few minutes to introduce themselves.

Incumbent Lamb read aloud his introduction written on a sheet of paper, Wojowski made a passionate appeal to be allowed to continue the projects that are in progress.

Mohammed Faheem, Kevin Calkins and Harry Benton are the challengers who hope to bring new ideas and renewed energy to the village. All three challengers spoke with no notes, but as Faheem emphasized, they spoke from the heart for the betterment of Plainfield.

There has not been a single debate or public forum where the citizens of Plainfield could get some answers from those who are trying to become the civic leaders for the next four years.

Bill Lamb and Brian Wojowski are the incumbents. A retired chemical engineer, Lamb has been a trustee for ever and this will be Wojowski's second term, if he gets elected. Brian is currently a police officer and an attorney practicing family law . Ed O'Rourke, one of the retiring trustees decided not to run again citing personal reasons. These seem to have more to do with his constant run-ins with Mayor Collins and next mayor hopeful, trustee Margie Bonuchi, who seem to have thwarted O'Rourkes every move during his term.

Lamb and Wojowski had voted yes for Project Jupitor, the huge warehouse coming up next to residential neighborhoods of Liberty Grove and Dayfield. Residents had protested to no avail that they did not want that development but were overruled by the board in an emotional evening at the Village Hall a few months back. Residents had sworn to throw out Lamb and Wojowski in the April 2nd elections. It remains to be seen how that promise holds up.
Both incumbents have well established vote banks that are likely to push them over the top this time too. The challengers hope to bring in new and single issue voters to turn the tables on the incumbents.

Mohammed Faheem seems to lead the pack of challengers by presenting innovative strategies to address Plainfields future. Faheem also has a web page www.trustfaheem.com and recently launched a "Facebook Live" program every day at 8 PM where he invites residents to come on line and share their ideas for Plainfield. With a deep background in business, economic and workforce development, Faheem has some very clear and cogent ideas of his own and is not afraid to talk about them. "Win or lose, I am not going anywhere" Faheem says, "Plainfield is home, and I will continue to support the village administration with my experience after the election," he continued. Faheems last job was as Director of Business Employer Solutions at BCS in the Arlington Heights illinois workCenter where he pioneered several innvovative programs for youth at risk, returning veterans, job seekers over 50 years old and re-entry programs for ex offenders. Faheem is also the co-founder of the Illinois Reshoring Initiative and has launched AMAN (American Muslims Assisting Neighbors www.amaninc.org) a non-profit in Plainfield.

Kevin Calkins, an American Airlines pilot who flies both domestic and international routes is old school Plainfield with deep roots in the village. He has very little social media presence and admits he is not that much into it. Kevin has a good grasp of the challenges facing Plainfield, especially dealing with traffic issues. He is also a quick study and promises to bring accountability to the village board, if elected.

Both Faheem and Kevin have been endorsed by Citizens United for Responsible Transportation -Plainfield, a grass roots organization started a couple of years back, which is trying to highlight issues, including traffic and other developments affecting the village and surroundings.

Harry Benton is the youngest of the challengers. Benton is an iron worker by trade and seems to bring in a lot of youthful energy and enthusiasm to the campaign. "I have spent 20 hours plus every week talking with businesses and home owners" Harry says when you meet him. "I know what Plainfield needs to grow." Soft spoken but very opinionated, Benton seems to have planted his yard signs everywhere you look in Plainfield.

All told, April 2nd will usher in much needed change to Plainfield, or not, depending on voter turn out. Early voting ended at the Plainfield Village Hall on Friday March 29 and the trend seems poised again for a low voter turnout which will favor the incumbents. Please go out and vote on April 2nd and make your voice heard for change.