Elmhurst Officials Attend Democratic Colleague's Event

ELMHURST, IL – Elmhurst's mayor and five aldermen attended a campaign launch party earlier this month for Alderman Guido Nardini, who is running for the DuPage County Board as a Democrat.

Elmhurst and DuPage County were once solid Republican turf. But they have become increasingly Democratic in the Trump era, like much of suburban America.

City offices, such as mayor and alderman, are nonpartisan. And some of them stay quiet about their party preferences.

Elmhurst Alderwoman Emily Bastedo takes the microphone during Alderman Guido Nardini's launch party for his county board candidacy. (Courtesy of Guido Nardini Campaign)

Others take a different route. A former alderwoman, Marti Deuter, now represents Elmhurst as a Democratic state House member.

Nardini has made no bones about being progressive, as reflected in his social media comments. But during council meetings, he appears to check his party credentials at the door. The same was the case for former longtime Alderman Mark Mulliner, a devoted Republican.

Nardini's launch party was Oct. 7 at the Spring Inn bar.

Attending were Mayor Scott Levin and aldermen Mike Brennan, Emily Bastedo, Chris Jensen, Karen Sienko and Rex Irby.

Levin and Bastedo spoke from behind the bar at the event, with the mayor introducing Nardini and calling him a model alderman.

"He studies hard. He learns what needs to be done. He gets things done. He works with people. He has demonstrated leadership," he said.

Levin recognized the party was a bit partisan and that he finds it hard to take part in such events these days because of political divisions.

"I'm happy to be here," the mayor said. "I think the reason is that Guido is the kind of person who makes the right decision based on what is best for Elmhurst."

Chairmen of three of the four City Council committees – Brennan, Jensen and Bastedo – attended. The only chair not there was Noel Talluto, who contributes to Republican candidates.

Also at Nardini's event were Elmhurst Park District board member Susan Smentek, DuPage County Board Chairwoman Deb Conroy, county board members Yeena Yoo and Paula Deacon Garcia, county auditor Bill White, a county forest preserve commissioner Tina Tyson-Dunne and Oakbrook Terrace aldermen Bob Rada.

In a statement, Nardini said he serves food and drink at his day job, while he serves neighbors in his city role.

"If elected to the DuPage County Board, I'd be honored to serve a bigger district, making sure its residents are heard and represented," said Nardini, who was elected in 2023. "At its simplest, public office is community building. Catching up with people and knowing their minds. To that end, a couple of beers at the Spring Inn never hurt."

The Democratic and Republican primaries are next March.

Elmhurst Mayor Scott Levin speaks during Alderman Guido Nardini's launch party earlier this month at Spring Inn bar. (Courtesy of Guido Nardini Campaign)