Two newly elected trustees and two incumbents took the oath of office earlier this month to serve on the Arlington Heights Village Board for the next four years.
Incumbent trustees Robin LaBedz and Tom Schwingbeck and newocmers Wendy Dunnington and Scott Shirley — all who ran uncontested in the April election — were sworn in by mayor Tom Hayes during the May 1 board meeting. The new trustees take spots vacated by John Scaletta who retired from the board after 16 years and Mary Beth Canty who was elected in November to the General Assembly and is now a state representative.
The new board will face one of the village’s largest projects, the potential redevelopment of Arlington Park. The former racecourse was purchased by the Chicago Bears football team earlier this year for $197 million with plans to build a new stadium and mixed-use development on the 326-acre site.
The team and village leaders insist that not definite redevelopment deal is done, as the team is still exploring financing options for the project.
The NFL football team possibly moving to Arlington Heights from its current home at Soldier Field in Chicago is what spurred LaBedz to seek reelection after serving 10 years on the board, she said.
“Even a year ago, I was on the fence about running for reelection,” LaBedz said after taking her oath of office. “Then a little project came along that I knew would result in changes for the village and I felt compelled to run and provide continuity and experience from my years of service. I’m eager to deal with any changes and challenges we will face.”
Schwingbeck also said he’s looking forward to another term on the board.
“I’m excited as I was four years go because I love the village of Arlington Heights and I love representing the residents of Arlington Heights,” Schwingbeck said, acknowledging this trustee race was uncontested. “I really hope the rest of the residents look at this board and appreciate the work that we do and consider we’re doing a good job for them.”
Wendy Dunnington, who takes on her first elected office in the village, thanked family, friends and her church community who encouraged her to run for office. Dunnington, who has a finance degree from the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, previously managed a $23 million budget as controller of direct marketing at the Alzheimer’s Association. She has lived in the village for 18 years and is married with two teens, she explained.
Dunnington has served as a special education teaching assistant in Arlington Heights School District 25 schools and has been an active volunteer at First United Methodist Church, Journeys The Road Home, the area chapter of League of Women Voters, Rolling Meadows High School PTO and Refugee One.
The April election marked Dunnington’s second run at office after an unsuccessful attempt in 2021.
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“I was inspired to run for village trustee because of my discovery book group, my interest in politics and because I wanted to serve Arlington Heights in a new way,” Dunnington said. “I’m excited to get started tonight.”
Shirley, who was previously director of the village’s Public Works Department for 22 years before stepping down in 2021, is currently a municipal services manager. He has lived in Arlington Heights for 30 years and is married with two children, to his biography.
After taking the oath, he said he met with everyone on the board and village staff, most encouraging him to run for trustee, some discouraging it.
“I’m here now and we’ll see how it goes,” Shirley said. “I’m honored to be here and I’m a little overwhelmed.”
Hayes recognized the new trustees and encouraged other residents to consider public service.
“I’d like to thank all four of these individuals for stepping up to serve our great community,” Hayes said. “We very much appreciate the dedicated service they provide to our community, oftentimes thankless, and involves countless hours of dedicated work.
“This race was uncontested,” Hayes continued, “and I would very much encourage residents to step forward, step up and fulfill your obligation as a citizen to give back to your community in one way or another, and there’s no greater way to do that by elected service.”
Elizabeth Owens-Schiele is a freelancer.