See How Often Elmhurst Aldermen Missed Meetings

ELMHURST, IL – Elmhurst aldermen Rex Irby of Ward 7 and Chris Jensen of Ward 3 attended all 24 City Council meetings in 2025, according to a Patch analysis.

The council is made up of 14 members, with two representing each of the seven wards. (For comparisons, the analysis included the 11 who served the entire year.)

As for absences, Ward 5 Alderwoman Jennifer Veremis led the way in 2025 with six, or 25 percent of the time. She was second-highest in 2024.

This year, Veremis was followed by Ward 6's Emily Bastedo with four absences and Ward 2's Jacob Hill and Ward 4's Noel Talluto, each with three.

Ward 7's Mike Brennan, Ward 6's Guido Nardini, Ward 5's James Nudera and Ward 2's Karen Sienko each had two, while Ward 3's Bram was absent once.

At seven of the 24 meetings, the City Council's attendance was perfect.

Attendance can make a difference. In 2021, the council split 6-6 over a controversial request for parking lots at Roberto's Ristorante, with the mayor breaking the tie in favor.

Missing were Veremis and then-Alderman Brian Cahill.

Aldermen make $2,400 a year, a fraction of what area township trustees make.

Annually, Elmhurst aldermen attend about 50 meetings, including committee sessions. That works out to about $50 a meeting, not including the time they spend studying issues and speaking with constituents.

Of the 24 City Council meetings in 2025, here are how many each alderman missed (only aldermen who served a full year are included):

Jennifer Veremis (Ward 1): 6
Emily Bastedo (Ward 6): 4
Jacob Hill (Ward 2): 3
Noel Talluto (Ward 4): 3
Guido Nardini (Ward 6): 2
Mike Brennan (Ward 7) 2
James Nudera (Ward 5): 2
Karen Sienko (Ward 2): 2
Michael Bram (Ward 3): 1
Rex Irby (Ward 7): 0
Chris Jensen (Ward 3): 0

Here is a listing of the City Council's meetings in 2025 and which aldermen missed them:

Jan. 6
Jennifer Veremis, Guido Nardini and Mike Brennan

Jan. 21
Karen Sienko

Feb. 3
Everyone present

Feb. 18
Jacob Hill

March 3
Brian Cahill

March 17
Everyone present

April 7
Jacob Hill

April 21
Jennifer Veremis

May 5
Noel Talluto

May 19
Everyone present

June 2
Noel Talluto, James Nudera and Jennifer Veremis

June 16
James Nudera and Emily Bastedo

July 21
Guido Nardini, Emily Bastedo and Karen Sienko

Aug. 18
Everyone present

Sept. 2
Mike Brennan and Jennifer Veremis

Sept. 15
Everyone present

Oct. 6
Jennifer Veremis and Noel Talluto

Oct. 14
Emily Bastedo

Oct. 20
Dan Virgil

Nov. 3
Brian Belanger and Michael Bram

Nov. 10
Emily Bastedo

Nov. 17
Everyone present

Dec. 1
Jennifer Veremis and James Nudera

Dec. 15
Everyone present