2 MVCC Board Seats Up For Grabs, 10 Candidates Running: Election 2023

PALOS HILLS, IL — Ten candidates are battling for two seats on the Moraine Valley Community College Board of Trustees in the April 4 consolidated election. Terms are for six years.

The race originally started with 11 candidates, but Tiffany Robinson, of Robbins, was appointed to fill a board vacancy in January. Five of the remaining ten responded to the Patch candidate questionnaire, including Eileen Kerlin Walsh, Dan Casey, Tracy Sullivan, Adam Downs and Yusuf Vidal.

The other candidates on the ticket include Carl R. Kunz, Aseal Tineh, Brian O’Neill, Joseph H. Zotto and David W. Shipyor.

Eileen Kerlin Walsh

Eileen Kerlin Walsh grew up on a small farm in Ireland and immigrated to the United States in 1989, where she said, “I fell in love with the American Dream.” She lives in Oak Lawn with her husband, Tom, and is the mother of four sons.

She is an attorney and president of Kerlin Walsh Law. Among her many other board members, Kerlin Walsh claims a deep connection to Moraine Valley Community College for 20 years. She’s taught traditional age students and returning adults, placed interns in her law office, and presented at staff development education program. Most recently, she served on MVCC’s paralegal advisory board to develop the college’s paralegal certification program.

Conducting a nationwide search to find a qualified, committed new president under whom MVCC will flourish and grow is a pressing need for the next board.

“Tuition will not be raised under my watch. Costs will be recalibrated so that bright, enthusiastic, well-prepared young faculty will not owe MVCC money after their week’s work,” Kerlin-Walsh said in her Patch candidate questionnaire.

Daniel Casey

BP executive Dan Casey is running with Kerlin Walsh. Casey, of Palos Heights, is a former MVCC board member and wants to return. He cites the upcoming negotiation of the collective bargaining agreements with the college’s unions, and the rising costs of tuition as pressing needs.

“As trustee, my focus will be to work with the administration to expand certificate programs in these areas that will be funded by industry,” Casey said in the Patch candidate questionnaire. “These alternative sources of revenue will offset the rising costs of the college while meeting the growing labor need in these industries.”

Tracy M. Sullivan

Orland Park resident Tracey Sullivan is an associate vice president at Governors State University, focusing on procurement compliance with statute and supplier diversity. If elected, she looks forward to reviewing and discussing enrollment trends at MVCC in comparison to other similar institutions.

"I am confident that my experience at Moraine Valley and throughout the State of Illinois University system will be beneficial to the priorities of the Board. I want to help retain excellent staff, grow enrollment, and look proactively to future opportunities to grow revenues, reduce costs and continue to serve the community that we are elected to serve. The Board needs to be transparent and responsible for the use of taxpayer dollars. Procurement is my area of expertise, sourcing solutions to increase efficiency, reduce cost and provide solutions that meet the needs of the college."

Yusuf Vidal

Jose “Yusuf” Vidal Valdes, of Justice, is the chief of staff for State Rep. Abdelnasser Rashid.

He’s been endorsed by the Chicago Federation of Labor, Cook County College Teachers Union, International Union of Operating Engineers 150, International Union of Operating Engineers 399, Cook County Board Commissioner Donna Miller, Mayor of Palos Hills Jerry Bennett, among others.

“Community colleges have long served students by providing an accessible and affordable education,” Vidal said in the Patch candidate questionnaire. “However, due to the impact of inflation, students are forced to bear the growing costs of books, transportation, living expenses, food and child care. We have also seen the crippling impact of student debt and should not allow it to continue for the next generation of students. As a Moraine Valley Community College Trustee, I will push to prioritize wrap around support like mental health and child care, and other resources are offered to students.”

Adam D. Downs

Downs is a retired military member. He resides in Oak Lawn. The cost of tuition for students and financial strain on taxpayers is concerning to him.

“I’d like to see the district implement programs to generate revenue by offering services and programs to other municipalities in an effort to reduce the financial hardship on students and reduce the burden on taxpayers,” Downs said in his Patch questionnaire.

He wants MVCC students to leave after two years “with the skills to start a career, but also have the knowledge and study habits to continue their education towards a four-year degree.”

The 2023 consolidated election is Tuesday, April 4. More storms and severe weather are possible later in the day, so you may want to head out early. You can find your ballot and polling place on the Cook County Clerk website.