Big Money In Elmhurst School Board Election?

ELMHURST, IL – Some Elmhurst residents are suggesting big money is involved in the election for the Elmhurst School District 205 board.

But that is not the case so far, if the candidates' financial filings are any indication.

Five of the nine candidates – Kelly Asseff, Tom Chavez, Kelly Henry, Linda Nudera and Jammie Esker Schaer – have filed paperwork for their campaign funds with the state Board of Elections. Incumbents Beth Hosler and Courtenae Trautmann and candidates Lan Li and Ben Zulauf have not, meaning they do not expect to spend more than $5,000 over the course of a year.

The five candidates who have filed set up their funds between Jan. 3 and Feb. 7, according to elections board records. The next quarterly filing deadline is in mid-April, more than a week after the April 4 election.

In the meantime, candidates must report donations of $1,000 or more within five business days. None of the candidates have done so, indicating they have received smaller contributions so far.

School board candidates usually spend little. One exception was in 2021, when two successful candidates in Hinsdale High School District 86 formed a joint account, collecting nearly $30,000 in donations.