Former County Board member Tom Bennington has been appointed to his former District 3 seat in a fulfillment of Chairman Robert Schillerstrom’s earlier suggestion that he might go beyond the list of 13 applicants for the post vacated by Kyle Gilgis in August.
The appointment is subject to the county board’s approval at its Tuesday, Oct. 13 meeting.
Bennington, a Downers Grove resident, served as one of the chairman’s chief lieutenants on the board and subsequently was named by Schillerstrom to the DuPage Water Commission following his 2008 primary defeat.
Bennington reportedly will fill the seat on an interim basis only, leaving the other willing candidates to fight it out in the February 2010 primary. Of the applicants, only former Mayor Brian Krajewski has announced his intention to run for the seat regardless of who Schillerstrom appointed.
In addition to Krajewski, six other Downers Grove residents had applied for the seat: Laurel Bowen, Commissioner Sean P. Durkin, Michael Flynn, Bill Haider, Peggy McCracken and former Commissioner Martin Tully.
Other applicants for the seat were Attorney Greg Abbott, Woodridge, retired DuPage County Court judge Kenneth Abraham, Darien; District 86 School Board President Dennis Brennan, Hinsdale; attorney Matt Caruso, Hinsdale; Joe Craig, Hinsdale; environmental consultant Karol Sole, Westmont; and risk management consultant Anibal Taboas, Woodridge. Sole was the only Democrat to apply.
well clearly he made a HUGE mistake and only chose him because he is “backing” him for Governor… POLITICS!
TB knows the ropes, will vote like he’s supposed to, and leaves an open seat. Political payoff definitely.
Bennington got the nod because everyone else wanted a leg up running for the seat, and would use being picked as a defacto endorsement. But if TB runs he goes from being an honorable man to a lying SOB in the snap of your fingers.
When the Bob Schillerstrom was discussing having a county vehicle sticker, I sent e-mails to Gilgis, McMahon, and Bennington, complaining that the County needed to cut expenses, rather than seek additional revenue.
I never received a response from Gilgis or McMahon. On the other hand, Tom Bennington sent me a thoughtful response, explaining that while the county had done much to cut spending, there were services that had to be maintained, or even expanded, such as the sheriff and the jail, services for seniors, etc.
Frankly, the voters in District 3 made a mistake, when they kept McMahon and dumped Bennington in last year’s primary.
I hope Bennington runs in the primary. Since he was the only county board member who took the time to answer my e-mail, he’s earned my respect.
I had no issue with Tom Bennington and voted for him at least once that I can remember. I do not know why he lost the election, but will be supporting Brian in the primary. The fact that someone answers an email is not necessarily a reason to vote for them – although I do know that would cause someone to earn your respect and I know exactly what you are saying – Brian has done WAY too much for this community and the kids and people in it not to take a closeer look at him and consider supporting him.
Get OVER the fact that he had some money in his election fund and people donated to his campaign – like it was his fault?! He is a great person and individual. Don’t believe me? Call him up! email him – get to know him! ’cause if you “hate” him or have issues with him, I can bet you don’t know him very well…
I see this as a great oportunity for Tom to fatten his County pension. I am glad to see that Bob was looking out for Tom!! Bob wants to be Gov? I do not think so.