With the presidential election front and center, local elections in Oak Park, set for April, seem a long way off. However, with nominating petitions set to begin circulating before September closes and candidate filing dates scheduled just before Christmas, the race for village president and open trustee seats should begin to take shape soon.
The terms of trustees Glenn Brewer, John Hedges and Colette Lueck expire in April, as does the second-term of President David Pope. The term of Village Clerk Teresa Powell is also up in the spring. None of the incumbents have declared their intentions yet. The terms for trustees Ray Johnson, Adam Salzman and Bob Tucker are up in April 2015.
The big question for the spring election is if Pope will vie for a third term, which historically has not been done in Oak Park. Previously Pope had said he would announce his plans once summer ended. Asked last week by Wednesday Journal if he planned on running for reelection, Pope said the Journal will certainly know when his decision is made.
Also notable in the election cycle is the candidate selection process undertaken by the Village Manager Association. That process typically begins in the late summer and runs into the late fall. Eight years ago, Pope ran successfully for village president as an independent candidate. Four years ago, as he sought reelection, he was slated by the VMA.
