Elmhurst Alderman Candidate Withdraws

ELMHURST, IL – Little is known about Brian Belanger of Elmhurst, but he appears poised to become the next alderman for Ward 1.

On Monday afternoon, Belanger's opponent, Imran Ali, withdrew from the April 1 race.

"With my personal and professional obligations, I realized that I would not be able to dedicate the necessary time to the campaign or to the position if I were elected," Ali said in a message to Patch.

Belanger's Facebook page indicates he is originally from Clifton Park, New York, a suburb of the state capital of Albany. Belanger filed his candidacy in November.

Belanger couldn't be reached for comment.

The Ward 1 seat was held by Marti Deuter for a dozen years. But she resigned on New Year's Eve to become representative for the Elmhurst-based House District 45. As a Democrat, Deuter defeated Republican Dennis Reboletti, Addison Township's supervisor, in the November election.

The other Ward 1 alderman is Jennifer Veremis, who is also the CEO of the local chamber of commerce.

Ward 1 is in central Elmhurst and includes Elmhurst University, Wilder Park, parts of downtown, York High School and the Pick subdivision on the other side of Route 83.