Election 2011 HQ

Meet Your Candidates: Village Trustee Incumbent Mike Basil

Wilmette-Kenilworth Patch is running a series of questionnaires with candidates running in contested races for Spring 2011 elections.

Mike Basil has served as a Village Trustee since 2007, and chairs Wilmette's Judiciary Committee. Basil, who possesses an MBA from Loyola University, was a key proponent of the Master Plan. "I want to continue to advance the Master Plan process over the next four years and make Wilmette the most attractive opportunity for developers when the economy turns around," Basil said. Board members serve four-year terms. Three seats are open this year, and six candidates are running—Basil, Mike G. Bailey, Bob Bielinski, Dan Kaplan, Doug Rathe and Julie Wolf. Check out what Basil has to say about pensions and the village's budget below. How would you assess the state of the village’s budget? Mike Basil: The Wilmette Village budget is presently in an…

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Slate of Candidates for New Trier School Board Shore Up Support

A slate of candidates running for New Trier District 203 School Board presented their views to district residents at a recent event.

A group of three independent candidates running for New Trier District 203 School Board held a meet-and-greet with area residents at the Wilmette Golf Club on Saturday. If elected, the candidates pledge to bring fiscal responsibility, greater transparency and accountability to the board. Candidates Patrick O’Donoghue, Greg Robitaille and Joel Goldhar are being supported for election by the Fiscal Responsibility for New Trier PAC (political action committee). The group first began forming as a result of opposition to a proposed referendum in 2010 which did not pass. All three candidates were opposed to it.* According to former New Trier principal Wes Baumann, who is heavily involved with the PAC, this is the first time there has been formal…

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Community Letters

Wilmette Resident: 'Nothing is More Important Than the Schools'

Paul Gorney is a Wilmette parent and real estate agent who supports Dist. 39's proposed referendum.

The following is a letter from Paul Gorney, a Wilmette-based real estate agent. Obviously, after selling more than 700 homes over the last 20 years, I have a very strong, real-world idea of what is important and what is not to those involved in a real estate transaction. I have also lived in the immediate area my entire life. People who BUY HOMES in Wilmette move here for ONE thing - the excellent (for now) schools! Most moving here, driving the real estate market, are moving from Chicago's expensive or poor schools. Most have school-age children. Being close to the train, lake and living in a quiet area are other attractions. But, nothing is more important than the schools. Potential buyers' thought process starts and ends with the …

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Early Voting Begins Today

Eager to do your civic duty? You're in luck.

Early voting in the April 5 consolidation elections begins today and ends March 31.  "Local officials affect lives a great deal, so voter participation is crucial," Cook County Clerk David Orr said in a statement. "Government functions better when more people are heard." Here's what you'll need Voters are required to present election officials with "valid identification" before receiving a ballot. According to the clerk's office, valid forms of ID include a current driver's license, state-issued ID card or another government-issued ID with a photograph. Here's where Wilmette and Kenilworth residents can cast early ballots. Thanks to touch screens that store different ballot types, registered voters can visit any one of suburban Cook County…

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Community Letters

Citizen for Wilmette Schools: Vote Yes for Dist. 39 Referendum

Citizens for Wilmette Schools is comprised of residents who endorse the potential referendum.

This editorial video is brought to you by Citizens for Wilmette Schools, a group of residents who endorse the proposed referendum. Read more about the referendum on Wilmette-Kenilworth Patch. On April 5, Wilmette residents will vote on a school funding referendum for the District 39 schools (K-8).  This video highlights some of the issues surrounding this referendum and the concerns of Wilmette residents about what effect failure to pass the referendum will have on our schools and on our property values.

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League of Women Voter's to Host Spring Candidate Forums

Forums in February and March will feature contested race hopefuls.

From the Village of Wilmette: The League of Women Voters of Wilmette is sponsoring candidate forums for the contested elections that will be on the ballot on election day - April 5, 2011. Sunday, Feb. 27 Sunday, March 6 All forums will be broadcast live and rebroadcast on Channel 6.

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