Village Races: Bonuchi Vs. Argoudelis, 5 Spar For 3 Board Spots

PLAINFIELD, IL — Tuesday is election day in Plainfield, and no matter how things shake out, the village will have a new mayor when it's all over. With current Village President Mike Collins not seeing re-election, longtime trustee Margie Bonuchi is seeking to replace him, and former Plainfield Township Supervisor John Argoudelis is challenging her.

Bonuchi has been on the village board since 2009 and before that served on the village planning commission. A well-known community volunteer, she also works for Plainfield Community Consolidated School District 202 as the district's technology administrator.

She has a long history of volunteering in Plainfield and served on the C.W. Avery Family YMCA advisory board from 2009 to 2018.

On her website, Bonuchi touts these achievements, among others, during her tenure on the village board:

• Bringing the budget we inherited out of the red into the black, ahead of schedule
• Maintaining (not raising) the same property tax rate since 2013
• Significant improvements to the Riverfront Park, including addition of path lighting, benches, entry points for tubing and other ways for families to enjoy the river, historic museum artifacts and signage outlining the history of Electric Park.
• Updated downtown streetscape, street improvements in older downtown neighborhoods, with the replacement of 100-year-old sewer system and replacement of lead piping to homes.

Argoudelis is a lifelong Plainfield resident who says he was "born and raised on the Argoudelis family farm in Plainfield." He started his own law firm in Plainfield in 2005 and served as Plainfield Township supervisor from 2002 to 2013 and as a Will County board member from 2010 to 2012.

Argoudelis also cites volunteer work such as serving as a pro bono attorney for Ready Set Ride in Plainfield and on the War Monument Relocation Committee.

On his website, he pledges this if elected: "Every resident, business owner and developer will be treated the same – there will only be one set of rules, with the Golden Rule being: Is it good for Plainfield?"

Related:

• Objection Against Argoudelis' Mayoral Petition Overruled
• Argoudelis Says He Wants To Be A Leader Who Gets 'Things Done'
• Collins Responds To Argoudelis: Letter

Trustee races

Meanwhile, three spots on the Village Board are up for grabs, including Bonuchi's. Two incumbents — Cally Larson and Patricia Kalkanis — are being challenged by three newcomers:

• Tom Ruane
• Eric J. Blatti
• Nuhie Faheem

Kalkanis, a defense attorney, has been on the board since 2019, when she was appointed to fill a vacant seat. At the time, she told Patch she became interested in politics while working at Tomczak Law Group, saying, "Mr. Tomczak is a well known politician in the area and in many areas. Since working for him it's kind of opened my eyes into politics, but I can't say for sure... if it's a more rigorous direction of politics that I want to go in. I'd like to take it step-by-step and see where this [position] may take me."

Real estate agency owner Cally Larson was elected in 2017. On her "Plainfield First" website, Larson lists "development I support, projects I believe in," including the Pace Park & Ride development, affordable housing, 143rd Street westward expansion to Ridge Road, historic preservation and more.

Tom Ruane of Ruane Construction has been a Plainfield planning commissioner since 2019 and briefly served on the village board after being appointed to fill a vacancy in 2017.

On his campaign Facebook page, Ruane says he is a husband and father of three with a degree in architecture. He cites his involvement in the Plainfield Riverfront Organization, Lions Club, Village Preservation Association, Northern Illinois Food Bank, Plainfield Community Emergency Response Team and Plainfield YMCA, among others.

"I do not see myself as a politician, but more as a steward of our community," he writes. "As an independent thinker, I can see both sides of an issue and am open to learning/hearing all points. I'm not afraid to change my mind or go against any status quo if it means the betterment of our community."

Attorney Eric J. Blatti is also seeking a spot on the board and calls for "responsible residential and business development" in Plainfield. In a Patch candidate survey, he also called out what he said is "hypocrisy" on the board, writing: "I think there is a beacon of hypocrisy that shines on the current board member that voted for a semi-truck parking facility on a 2-lane portion of Rt. 30, yet cited traffic as the main reason to vote against the Muslim Center located on a 2-lane portion of Rt. 126. The default answer to inclusion should be yes, then work backwards from there to see if the project will work."

Political newcomer Nuhie Faheem is a Spanish teacher and says she will bring "accountability, inclusivity and sustainable growth to Plainfield."

According to her website, Faheem is an educator, coach, teacher trainer and a first-generation Indian-American.

"My parents immigrated to the United States in the 80s in search of a better life for their family," she wrote. "As a daughter of hardworking parents, the values of hard work, respect, and responsibility have always been important to me."

The polls in Will County open at 6 a.m. Tuesday and will remain so until 7 p.m. You can find your local polling location online.