Ciesla Becomes Northbrook Village President: Election Results

NORTHBROOK, IL — There is a new president in town. Kathryn Ciesla, who has been a member of the Northbrook Village Board since 2009, is the projected winner over Eugene Marks in Tuesday's Consolidated Elections.

With 30 of 30 precincts reporting, Ciesla was up 63.31 percent (4,263 votes) to 36.69 percent (2,471 votes) for Marks, according to the Cook County Clerk's Office. All results are unofficial.

"I couldn’t be more pleased with the result. We heard from many residents during the campaign and we’re excited to take the momentum we’ve built and continue to engage the community," Ciesla told Patch. "Something that was especially exciting for us is that our young voters were really involved in the process. Sometimes younger voters get criticized for not paying attention to issues which may impact them, but not this time and not here in Northbrook. We are so very proud of their engagement."

On the Village Board, incumbents Muriel Collison and Daniel Pepoon are projected winners. Joy Ebhomielen is also projected to win a four-year seat on the board.

The Village has a Council-Manager form of government which was adopted in 1953 by referendum. The Board is made up of the Village President and six trustees. All are elected for four year terms on an at-large basis. Also elected for a four-year term is the Village Clerk. All elected officials must be residents of the Village.

Current Trustee Kathryn L. Ciesla opted to run for Village President, leaving her seat up for grabs, with Sandra E. Frum set to retire. An attorney, Ciesla was a trustee for three terms since 2009 and has also been on a number of local boards. Her campaign was backed by the Northbrook Caucus of 2021.

"I am a strong leader. I know how to listen, and I value hearing the opinions of others, even if they are different from my own. I am open to and excited by change and new ideas, but don't favor 'fixing' something that is working well," Ciesla said in a Patch candidate questionnaire prior to the election. "I am effective at framing discussions, facilitating dialogue, and moving projects forward to their conclusion. I am not afraid to do what is right, even though the path is hard. I believe in order and process and will work to lead the Village Board with dignity and civility."

Ciesla was challenged by Eugene Marks for president. Working in business development security industry manufacturing for more than 30 years, he served as Village President from 2005-2009.

Incumbent Trustee Muriel J. Collison, 44, has served on the Northbrook Village Board since 2017. She has been an attorney for 17 years. She also served four years on the Northbrook Plan Commission before becoming a trustee.

"I am honored to serve another four years as Northbrook’s homegrown trustee. This election was difficult and I feel honored to serve the community I love," Collison told Patch. "When I look past the negative campaigning, smearing and untruths spread by my opponents...which hurt me and my family deeply, I see over 2,500 voters who didn’t vote for me and are not happy. I hear them. I can do better and I will try my best to improve communication and bring our community back together. We are better together. Northbrook strong."

Incumbent Daniel H. Pepoon, 64, was a member of the Northbrook Plan Commission for 15 years. He has been a senior vice president and senior financial advisor for Merrill Lynch for the past 35 years. Pepoon also served on the Bicycle Task Force for six years.

"I am humbled that Northbrook voters have elected me to serve them as Village Trustee. The race that we went through was filled with great challenges. It’s time to bring our town together," Pepoon told Patch. "We should all want a future where good qualified people could volunteer to serve our community, and not be afraid that they would be treated with anything but respect. This is the Northbrook I’ve been proud of. And why I spend so many hours serving its good people.

"I pledge to listen to best understand people’s concerns and keep my focus on fiscal responsibility, and do all that I can to keep us safe and prosperous. Northbrook is a wonderful place with natural resources that I hope to pass to our next generation."

Challenger Joy Ebhomielen is a finance professional with over 15 years experience that spans from commercial lending to corporate finance and strategy. She has been a member of the community relations committee for the last four years. She is also a board director for Hunger Resource Network. Ebhomielen was backed by the Northbrook Caucus of 2021.

"I couldn’t be prouder of my fellow Northbrook residents, the people spoke and the Caucus slate won and won big," Ebhomielen told Patch. "This was quite a roller coaster ride but I am so grateful that we prevailed. In Kathryn, Muriel, Dan and me they found dignity, truth, diversity, compassion and a strong sense of family and community. I’d like to thank all our volunteers who labored tirelessly to get us to the finish line through phone banks, writing postcards, donations, working the polling places, knocking on doors, and let’s not forget those who supported us with their prayers.

"During the campaign there was a lot said and I listened. Whether you were for us or against us I promise to bring nothing less than my best to all of Northbrook. I am excited to be part of this formidable group of Trustees and cannot wait to bring my own unique contributions to the affairs of our Northbrook Strong community."

Return to Patch for results as they come in. Subscribe to free News Alerts for election results.

Leading up to Election Day, the Clerk’s Office tests all voting equipment at its warehouse location and packs up more than 1,600 Voting Supply Carriers, which contain all essential voting equipment including ballots, polling place signage, PPE, and other supplies. The Clerk’s Office then delivers the boxes to each suburban polling location for use by election judges, polling place workers and voters on Election Day.

Karen Yarbrough has served as the Cook County Clerk since 2018. She is the first woman and first African American to hold the position.

NORTHBROOK/GLENVIEW SCHOOL DISTRICT 30

Three candidates were vying for three four-year terms in an uncontested race for Northbrook/Glenview School District 30 Board of Education. Incumbents Keith Karchmar and Jeffrey Zuercher were joined by Stephanie Yohannan on the ballot.

GLENBROOK HIGH SCHOOL DISTRICT 225

For the Glenbrook High School District 225 Board of Education, 10 candidates were vying for four seats. Challenger Michelle Seguin was the top vote-getter (16.8 percent, 7,613 votes). Incumbent Bruce Doughty, current president of the board, was next (16.66 percent, 7,547 votes). Incumbent Peter Glowacki (15.3 percent, 6,932 votes) and challenger Matt O'Hara (15.1 percent, 6,842 votes) also won seats.

WEST NORTHFIELD SCHOOL DISTRICT 31

Eight candidates were vying for four seats on the West Northfield School District 31 Board of Education. Incumbents Laura Sanchez-Greenberg (current vice president and Northbrook resident), Jeffrey Steres (Northbrook) were challenged by Matthew Dalpin (Northbrook), Meredith Estes (Glenview), Robert Hammer (Northbrook), Nicholas Parfitt (Northrook), Allison Slade Rothstein (Northbrook) and Darrin Stern (Northbrook).

Current board members Robert Resis and Nancy Hammer are not seeking reelection.

NORTHBROOK SCHOOL DISTRICT 27

In an uncontested race, incumbent Martha Carlos was running for an unexpired two-year term on the Northbrook School District 27 Board of Education. In another uncontested race, incumbent Melissa Robin Copeland was joined by Matthew R. Basinger, Gail Oren-Amit and Daniel J. Terrien in seeking four four-year seats on the board. Current board members Ed Feld, Laurie Garber-Amram and Helen Melnick did not seek reelection.

NORTHBROOK SCHOOL DISTRICT 28

In an uncontested race for the Northbrook School District 28 Board of Education, incumbent Jennifer Gallinson was joined by DeShawn Clayton Arms, Matthew Cassidy and Shweta Jinkala on the ballot in seeking four four-year seats. Current board members Tony Forchetti, Michael Gilmore and Lou Gross did not seek reelection.

NORTHBROOK PARK DISTRICT

Three candidates ran for three seats on the Northbrook Park District Board of Commissioners in an uncontested race. Incumbents Lisa Chalem (current vice president) and Michael Schyman were be joined on the ballot by Michael Goodman on the ballot. All three have been endorsed by the Northbrook Caucus. Current board member Penelope Randel is not seeking reelection.

NORTHBROOK LIBRARY BOARD

In an uncontested race, incumbents Abby M. Young and Zhan "Jami" Xu were joined by Barbara Unikel on the ballot for a four-year seat on the Northbrook Library Board. Carlos Frum, current president, is not seeking reelection.

RELATED

• Northbrook Voters To Decide On Village, School Boards
• Students Weigh In On District 225 Election With Rally
• Northbrook: 2021 Consolidated Elections

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