Filing has been completed for persons seeking elected office on local boards in Homewood and Flossmoor for schools, parks, village government and libraries.
During the one-week filing period, hopeful candidates submitted petitions and other paperwork, the first step toward getting on the ballot for the consolidated election next April 6. The filing period ended Dec. 21.
Persons elected in April will help direct our schools, villages and other local governments closest to home for all of us. They will set policy, approve budgets and oversee employees responsible for public safety in our communities, who educate students, maintain infrastructure and work to maintain the quality of life in our area.
Some races are uncontested. The Greater Homewood Party will not be opposed on the April ballot in that village. Barring the unlikely prospect of write-in candidates prevailing, the candidates who filed in Homewood School District 153 and Flossmoor District 161 will be elected.
Other contests – in Homewood-Flossmoor School District 233, the Village of Flossmoor and the Prairie State College District – will be more competitive.
Three seats will be on the ballot in District 233. Incumbents Steven Anderson, Annette Ripani Bannon and Beth Larocca filed for re-election, along with Jimo (JK) Kasali, LaKesha Spight, Michelle Hoereth and Cynthia Turnquest. Anderson, Bannon, Kasali and Spight are from Homewood. Larocca, Hoereth and Turnquest are from Flossmoor.
Voters will choose three school board members in District 153. Incumbents Shelly Marks, Deborah Havighorst and newcomer Broderick Booth filed for the posts.
Four seats are at stake In District 161. Three incumbents – Carolyn Griggs, Misha Blackman and Cameron Nelson – filed along with Aracelis Janelle Scharon.
In Flossmoor, Michelle Nelson and Lakshmi Emory filed for the mayor’s position. Following a lottery at village hall, Nelson was awarded the top ballot position. David Walano, Gary Daggett and incumbents Brian Driscoll and Joni Bradley-Scott filed for three four-year trustee posts. George Lofton III filed for a two-year unexpired trustee term.
Incumbents Karen Cheung, Natasha Bergeron and Shekiki Daggett filed for three four-year seats on the Flossmoor Library Board. Leilani Shute and Clarissa Watts filed for a two-year, unexpired trustee position on the board.
Village President Richard Hofeld leads the unopposed ticket in Homewood. Other candidates who filed as Greater Homewood Party members are Barbara Dawkins, Lauren Roman and Vivian Harris-Jones, for four-year trustee seats, and Marilyn Thomas, for village clerk, a four-year post. All but Harris-Jones are incumbents.
Two six-year terms will be on the ballot for the Homewood Public Library board. Nancy Gildart filed for one of the seats. She is currently on the board, where she is completing an unexpired term.
One six-year term will be at stake on the Homewood-Flossmoor Park District board. Incumbent Debbie Dennison of Homewood was the only person to file for the position.
Two six-year terms will be on the ballot for the Prairie State College board. Monica Gordon of Flossmoor and Nakia Hall of University Park filed for the seats along with incumbents Ronald White and Joelle Mulhearn, both of Chicago Heights.