Elmhurst Mayor Challenged By Ex-Official

ELMHURST, IL – Elmhurst Mayor Scott Levin, who is seeking re-election, drew an opponent Tuesday – former Alderman Mark Mulliner.

Tuesday was the first day for candidates to file their paperwork for the April 1 election. They have until next Monday to do so.

In 2021, Levin and Mulliner, along with Alderman Michael Bram, ran for mayor. Levin prevailed with 41 percent of the vote to Bram's 34 percent and Mulliner's 25 percent.

Two years later, Mulliner narrowly lost his re-election bid for alderman to political newcomer Rex Irby. Mulliner was the longest-serving alderman, having served 24 years.

After his victory, Irby told Patch that residents had asked him to run because of their frustrations with Mulliner's involvement with Elmhurst Parents for Integrity in Curriculum, a conservative group that formed during the pandemic.

Its members contended critical race theory and Marxism were influencing Elmhurst School District 205's curriculum, calling out teachers by name.

In 2022, Mulliner, a former District 205 technology official, took heat for managing the group's Facebook page. He later left that role.

Mulliner also ran for mayor in 2013.

Levin served on the council for more than a decade before becoming mayor.

Levin told Patch on Tuesday that he would comment on the race after the filing period ends. Mulliner could be reached for immediate comment.

As of 1:30 p.m. Tuesday, here are the candidates who filed for the City Council:

• Ward 1: None
• Ward 2: Jacob Hill (incumbent)
• Ward 3: Chris Jensen (incumbent)
• Ward 4: Mike Baker and Robert "Bobby" Fontana
• Ward 5: Daniel Virgil
• Ward 6: None
• Ward 7: Mike Brennan (incumbent)

The Ward 1 seat is held by Marti Deuter. Last week, Deuter, a Democrat, defeated Republican Dennis Reboletti in the race for District 45 state representative. She told Patch on Tuesday that she intends to serve on the City Council through the end of the year.

In Ward 4, Alderman Brian Cahill's seat is up. It is unclear whether he is seeking re-election.

In mid-September, Ward 4 candidate Baker posted to Facebook about his plan.

Baker, who ran for alderman in 2013, belongs to the Elmhurst Craft Beer Fest committee's executive board. He also is a member of the United Community Concerns Board, which assists in feeding families in town.

"I think we have a very good Council," Baker said in an email to Patch on Tuesday. "When there are important issues and differing opinions, the Aldermen seem collegial and respectful to one another. Council committees do an excellent job vetting items which may appear on the Council’s agenda."

Patch could find no information about Ward 4 candidate Fontana.

In Ward 5, Daniel Virgil has been involved in local issues for the last few years. Virgil, who had already told Patch about his election plans, was a leader in the successful local movement to allow hoop houses in Elmhurst.

The other expected Ward 5 candidate is Adam Park, husband of the current Ward 5 alderwoman, Tina Park. He revealed his plans last month.

In Ward 6, Alderwoman Emily Bastedo's seat is up for election. She told Patch on Tuesday that she plans to submit paperwork.