Dupage Policy Journal

At the May 1 Elmhurst City Council meeting, the city celebrated the appointment of new council members based on the April election.

"I want to welcome all of the newly sworn in Alderman, those who are returning," said Mayor Scott Levin. " I'm looking forward to two very productive years, I think for the new alderman who've never served, you will find it to be a very rewarding experience. We always worked as a team, and I believe we will continue to do that and rely on your fellow alderman and me and we're down to business."

Elmhurst has 14 total aldermen, two from each of the seven wards. They are set on an alternating four-year cycle, so every two years one seat from each ward is up in the election. The next city council election will be held in 2025, when aldermen Marti Dueter, Jacob Hill, Christopher Jensen, Brian Cahill, Tina Park, Emily Bastedo and Mike Brennan (Wards 1-7 respectively) will see the end of their terms.

Levin and council members welcomed three incumbent members, three brand new members and one familiar face that hasn’t been around recently during their swearing in ceremonies. Ward 1’s Jennifer Veremis defeated her two opponents in the race, while Ward 4’s Noel Talluto and Ward 5’s James Nudera ran unopposed to regain their seats. Ward 3 saw the election of Michael Bram who had previously held the position for two decades but had to take a break from the council when he lost the mayoral election in 2021. Wards 2, 6, and 7 saw newcomers Karen Sienko, Guido Nardini and Rex Irby winning seats in the April election.

All of the officials were joined by their family and friends during the administration of their oath, although Micheal Bram was joined by a group of supporters who answered his request from Facebook the previous day to be present at his swearing in. He introduced them all as “these are all my dear friends that are just like family for me.” The ceremony had some fanfare, with the police and fire departments presenting a color guard for the occasion before Mayor Levin led everyone in the Pledge of Allegiance.