A decision by Gopal Lalmalani to not seek an unprecedented fourth term in 2023 means at least three candidates will be on the ballot in April, seeking to be Oak Brook’s next village president.
Village Board members Larry Herman and Suresh Reddy, both of whom were elected in 2021, said they would have supported Lalmalani if he had chosen to run again. But with him out of the picture, both now said they plan to be on the ballot.
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Asif Yusuf, who will be finishing a fourth four-year term in 2023, announced in June that he planned to run for village president, regardless of Lalmalani’s plans.
“It’s time to offer the people a choice, and I want to be part of that choice,” Yusuf said.
Lalmalani said he considered seeking another term, but ultimately decided that he will leave after 12 years in office. His three terms make him one of three Oak Brook village presidents to have that long of a tenure, along with Karen Bushy, 1991-2003, and Wence Cerne, 1979-1991.
“I have delivered on all the pledges made to the residents in 2011,” Lalmalani said. “Oak Brook has grown, progressed and prospered over the past 11-plus years. The quality of life in Oak Brook has improved. We have brought accountability, integrity and efficiency in our village operations. The board functions cohesively and well.
“Even though I have it in me to run for an unprecedented fourth term, I strongly feel it is time to pass the torch on to the next generation of leadership. There is something to be said for going out on top.”
Both Reddy and Herman will have two years remaining on their four-year Village Board terms if they aren’t elected village president.
Reddy said he would not have run against Lalmalani, who he called his “mentor.” But with Lalmalani not seeking reelection, Reddy decided to run, despite having only about two years experience on the Village Board.
“An opportunity has opened up for me to run for mayor, and I feel like I am ready to take the challenge and serve my community,” Reddy said. “While experience counts, some of the greatest leaders have been new leaders who think out of the box and bring in great new ideas, and they have been immensely successful.”
Herman said he doesn’t believe limited experience on the Village Board will be a problem if he is elected village president.
“I was raised in Oak Brook and am more than ready for this,” he said. “Serving as village trustee has been one of the most satisfying challenges I have ever undertaken. We’ve gotten a lot one over the past couple of years, and there’s a lot more we can do. Gopal has left a great legacy, and I hope to improve upon it.”
Lalmalani isn’t endorsing anyone at this point as his successor.
“I intend to stand on the sidelines for now,” he said.
Chuck Fieldman is a freelance reporter for Pioneer Press.