The April 1 River Forest trustee race for the 2025 consolidated election has become uncontested after Melinda Holm Peterson withdrew from the race.
Peterson is the president and CEO of Melinda Holm & Associates, an advertising and marketing recruitment company based in River Forest. She is also the chairman of the Mental Health Committee for River Forest and leads the River Forest Running Club.
“My mother unexpectedly died on Christmas. Due to the current acrimonious nature of the trustee campaign in River Forest, I have decided that my time is better suited to focusing on my family and to handling my grief,” Peterson said. “Perhaps 2027 will be the right time for me to run for trustee.”
Now, the race for trustee, which includes three positions, consists of the candidates Megan Keskitalo, Lisa Gillis and Respicio F. Vazquez.
“I really appreciate everyone who runs for our races and everyone who volunteers in our village,” said Keskitalo. “ I’m going to continue to encourage others to run, because I do think contested races are good for our community.”
Keskitalo, a research developer, served the River Forest Diversity, Equity and Inclusion board, as well as co-organized the River Forest Pride Walk. Gillis currently serves as River Forest Trustee, winning the race for the first time last year. She also has lived in River Forest for over 20 years, spending time on the River Forest Sustainability Commission. Vazquez has served twice as trustee and has a career in law.
The April 1 election includes contests for the village board as well as referendum questions.
