Oak Brook Village President Gopal Lalmalani, who is wrapping up a third four-year term in office, is endorsing Larry Herman in the April 4 local elections, which include choosing the next Village President.
Herman, who was elected to the Village Board nearly two years ago, is running against longtime board member Asif Yusuf and board member Suresh Reddy, who, like Herman, was elected in 2021. Lalmalani is not seeking reelection.
“Having worked with all the three of the Village President aspirants/candidates, I’m most impressed with Larry Herman, who is an extraordinary civic leader and an honorable man,” Lalmalani said Sunday. “Larry has proven to me that he has the skills, experience and the vision to be our next Village President.
“My guiding principles in the last nearly 12 years as Village President have been financial discipline, accountability, low taxes, integrity, and open decision making. To continue the village’s progress, we need a capable and committed Village President who shares these values.”
Lalmalani said he believes Herman’s resume as a longtime volunteer in the community, tax attorney and financial professional who grew up in Oak Brook add to his appeal.
“As trustee, he has smartly and proactively revamped our budgeting and accounting processes, and in the process, dramatically improved the village’s financial position,” Lalmalani said. “He has initiated technology advances that have vastly improved our safety and efficiency. Larry has done much more than what other trustees have done in over 10 years.”
Herman said he is grateful for Lalmalani’s endorsement.
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“I’m grateful that President Lalmalani has recognized that I am the best candidate in this race to continue the progress that Oak Brook has made over his three terms as Village President,” Herman said.
Yusuf said he was disappointed, but not surprised that he didn’t get Lalmalani’s endorsement.
“I saw it coming,” he said. “Gopal and I have worked well together for years, but there are some things that I didn’t vote with the majority on.”
Yusuf mentioned the new business registry as an example of something he did not support, but Lalmalani and the majority of the board did.
Yusuf said not getting Lalmalani’s endorsement will make his job of trying to get elected more challenging.
“It would be much better having his endorsement than not having it, but it won’t make or break things,” he said.
Reddy said he has “nothing but respect” for Lalmalani.
“I understand he can only endorse one of us for Village President,” Reddy said. “I hope the people of Oak Brook still vote for me and give me a chance to lead the village. I still respect Gopal, and if fortunate enough to be elected, I strive to emulate Gopal’s leadership style.”
Chuck Fieldman is a freelance reporter for Pioneer Press.