Big Money In LTHS Board Election?

LA GRANGE, IL – Some residents in the Lyons Township High School area are suggesting big money is involved in the election for the school board.

But that is not the case so far, if the candidates' financial filings are any indication.

Two of the seven candidates – incumbent Jill Beda Daniels and challenger Tim Albores – have filed paperwork for their campaign funds with the state Board of Elections.

Meanwhile, incumbent Kari Dillon and challengers Justin Clark, Frank Evans, David Herndon and Tim Vlcek have not. That means they do not expect to spend more than $5,000 over the course of a year.

Daniels created her campaign fund in January and Albores in February. The next quarterly filing deadline is in mid-April, more than a week after the April 4 election.

In the meantime, candidates must report donations of $1,000 or more within five business days. None of the candidates have done so, indicating they have received smaller contributions so far.

The seven candidates are vying for three seats on the board.

School board candidates usually spend little. One exception was in 2021, when two successful candidates in Hinsdale High School District 86 formed a joint account, collecting nearly $30,000 in donations.