Next generation of taxpayers step up to run for Chicago area local offices

Cong. Randy Hultgren w/ Lucas Hawley, Cook Co Commissioner Sean Morrison w/ Kevin Suggs

It's the topic of every town hall, talk radio and political blog in Illinois - the state's hopeless financial mess. Some get frustrated and tune out, others rant and rave, but there's some that have decided there's few things more challenging in which to invest energy and talent to find creative solutions. 

Among the next generation of Chicago area taxpayers is a few that are stepping up to have a voice in how their local governments spend their hard-earned dollars - especially in southwest suburban Tinley Park and in northwest suburban Bartlett. 

Lucas Hawley is conducting a write-in effort in his first bid for Tinley Park's District Park Commission in upcoming April 4th municipal election. He's endorsed by former Tinley Park's Park District Board President Brian Younker as well as other elected officials.

He's a native of Tinley Park and has been been involved in local government for the past seven years. Hawley says he's a "concerned citizen that is passionate about the future of Tinley Park" and plans to continue serving his neighbors "to keep Tinley Park a great place to live." 

Kevin Suggs will also be on Tinley Park's April 4th ballot running for the village's board of trustees. Suggs is part of the Tinley First slate, which includes Dave Seaman for mayor, Pat Rea for city clerk and Jeff Ficaro, Mark Moylan and Suggs. 

Suggs, who also serves as Bremen Township's GOP Committeeman, says if elected he would work for Tinley Park to cut spending and lower taxes, ensure safety for Tinley Park neighborhoods and champion Tinley Park to bring more good-paying jobs to the community. 

 

Enoch Essendrop (l) with radio host Joe Walsh (c), Jeanette Ward (r) and Cory Holt (far r)

 

In the northwest suburbs, Enoch Essendrop is running for the U-46 School Board in response to the board majority that he says is resisting transparency. Current board trustee Jeanette Ward's revelations of the board's secret meetings and public attacks of residents seeking accountability stirred Essendrop's interest in running for the first time. If they won April 4th, this election's candidates Essendrop and Cory Holt would place the board's majority in the hands of reformers.

 

Essendrop told the local Bartlett Examiner, “One board member, Veronica Noland, even remarked that if the public really wanted change that one of them would have to run for office.” Outraged by such arrogance, Essendrop said, “I am the one who has taken her challenge.” The Bartlett Examiner endorsed Essendrop, as has the Illinois Family Action PAC.

 

Municipal elections are April 4th, and early voting will be open until April 3rd.