Newcomer Elected To Elmhurst Park Board

ELMHURST, IL – An Elmhurst Park District board member was re-elected Tuesday, while voters selected a newcomer for the second seat.

Voters could choose two of the three candidates. Newcomer Susan Smentek grabbed 39 percent of the vote, while incumbent Tim Sheehan finished second at 36 percent.

Elmhurst Alderman Bob Dunn lost the race, drawing 25 percent. He decided to run for park board rather than seek re-election to the Elmhurst City Council, where he has served for a dozen years.

Park board terms are for six years. The board consists of seven members.

In 2017, Sheehan was the top vote-getter of three candidates with 41 percent.

Two years ago, Smentek ran unsuccessfully for a Ward 1 seat on the City Council. She is a certified park and recreation executive and served as the cultural arts program supervisor for the local park district from 2013 to 2020.

On her campaign Facebook page, Smentek said she brought a "depth of knowledge and practical experience to the position of Park Board Commissioner."