With three-term Village President Gopal Lalmalani not seeking reelection, three current Village Board members are running in the April 4 election to become Oak Brook’s next top elected official.
A. Suresh Reddy and Laurence “Larry” Herman both will be halfway through their first four-year terms on the board, meaning they will remain as trustees if not successful in their bids to be elected as Village President. Yusuf currently is serving a third consecutive four-year term, and fourth overall, as a trustee. He was first elected to the board in 2003 and unsuccessfully ran for village president in 2007, before again winning a board seat in 2011.
Here is a look at what the three candidates have to say:
Laurence “Larry” Herman
Age: 61
Family: Father of two daughters, Mia and Abby, who attend local schools. Parents, Burt and Elaine Herman, also still live in Oak Brook.
How long have you been a resident of Oak Brook: 53 years
Occupation: CPA, Tax Attorney, and owner of Oak Brook-based national insurance agency
Previous/current elected offices: Current Oak Brook Village Board member and President Pro Tempore. Current Trustee liaison to the village’s Finance Committee, Sports Core Advisory Committee, Zoning Board of Appeals, Planned Development Commission, Fire Department, Police Department, Community Enhancement Committee, Economic Development Committee, Oak Brook Historical Society, DuPage Managers and Mayors Conference Regulatory Committee and Greater Oak Brook Chamber of Commerce.
Nonelected volunteer positions held: Numerous past civic, school, professional and charitable board positions. Former local civic positions include President of Robin Hood Ranch Homeowners Association and Oak Brook Volunteer Firefighter.
Why are you running for this office: Serving as Village Trustee has been one of the most satisfying challenges I have ever undertaken. I’m particularly proud to have spearheaded so many initiatives that have dramatically improved Oak Brook’s financial direction and the quality of life in our great village. I have the professional skills, good judgment, and municipal government experience to continue the progress made by our three-term Village President Gopal Lalmalani.
What do you believe you have to offer in this position: I am proud that I would be the first Village President raised in Oak Brook and educated in Oak Brook’s world class schools. I have the historical perspective of how Oak Brook should continue to evolve and prosper, and yet I’m not constrained by the past.
I am thorough, engaged, and results oriented. That means I attack challenges by understanding the facts, collaborating with others impacted, and deliberatively sorting through our options to come to the right and logical course of action.
What is the No. 1 issue facing the village: Public safety is my top priority. People have a right to feel safe in their homes and when they’re out and about in our community. Due to a new proactive policing approach implemented by our new police chief, whose hiring I strongly supported, both residential crime and shoplifting at the mall declined substantially in 2022.
Public safety can be compromised by poor decisions made by the Village Board. The largest outlay from our General Fund is on public safety. I’m proud to have led efforts to turn around the poor financial trajectory of our Sports Core and Infrastructure Funds which were draining our General Fund of the funds needed for public safety.
As a member of our Finance Committee, I’m also proud to have proposed a $200,000 increase in the 2022 Village budget for more crime fighting technology such as license plate reading cameras and GPS tracking devices that are already delivering great results.
Criminals are getting the message that it’s too risky for them to operate in Oak Brook. My goal is to broadcast that message as far and wide as we can.
A. Suresh Reddy
Age: 57
Family: Married to Leela for 30 years, 29-year-old son
How long have you been a resident of Oak Brook: almost 5 years
Occupation: physician
Previous/current elected offices: Oak Brook Village Board, 2021-present
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Nonelected volunteer positions held: President of a large national physician organization representing the interests of 100,000 physicians, second only to American Medical Association.
Why are you running for this office: I feel residents do not feel they have a stake in the government. I will strive for a resident driven government. I would like to bring government to the residents. I believe in a proactive government.
What do you believe you have to offer in this position: Collaborative leadership and connect with the residents. I will work collaboratively with the business chamber and School Board and PTO. My plan is simple: 100 % — 1: I would like to make Oak Brook Number “ONE” destination for families and business investments and innovations; 0: “ZERO” new taxes; 0: strive for “ZERO” crime.
What is the No. 1 issue facing the village: Crime. Crime has increased in the recent past and I would strive for ZERO crime during my term.
Asif Yusuf
Age: 60
Family: Married to Azra Yusuf for 35 years. Four children.: Zain (32), Farah (29), Neha (27), and Ail (24)
How long have you been a resident of Oak Brook: 40 years
Occupation: Real Estate brokerage and investment, with an emphasis on farming and renewable energy
Previous/current elected office: Village Board member, 2003-2007, 2011-present
Non elected volunteer positions held: Oak Brook Autumnfest Committee, 2001-2003; DuPage County Stormwater Committee, 2014-present; DuPage Mayors and Managers Conference Legislative Affairs Committee
Why are you running for this office: to protect the quality of life for all residents of Oak Brook through measures, enhance safety as well as to promote giving everyone a chance to make their voice heard
What do you believe you have to offer in this position: I believe what I offer is experience. In over 16 years municipal experience and 40 years in private industry, I have dealt with many different situations and personalities
What is the No. 1 issue facing the village: The number one issue facing the village is public safety.
Chuck Fieldman is a freelance reporter for Pioneer Press.