Elmhurst Mayor Unsure On Council Vacancy

ELMHURST, IL – Marti Deuter is still listed on Elmhurst's website as a Ward 1 alderwoman, but she left the City Council on New Year's Eve.

She is becoming the new state representative for the Elmhurst-based House District 45.

At Monday's City Council meeting, Mayor Scott Levin said he had not decided whether to fill the vacancy before the April 1 election.

He said he would certainly not issue a public call for those interested in filling the position. Such a process, which the city customarily follows, would leave only six weeks for the winning applicant, he said.

"I may await the results of the election on April 1 and see who looks like they'll be the likely alderman on May 1," the mayor said. "I may appoint someone to serve as interim, obviously not someone who would run for re-election."

The two candidates vying for the position in the election are Brian Belanger and Imran Ali. Patch has been unable to find much information about either candidate.

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.

Last month, Deuter, who served on the City Council for a dozen years, was praised by her colleagues during a meeting. A Democrat, Deuter defeated Republican Dennis Reboletti in the November election.