Oak Lawn Village Board Races Uncontested In April 4 Election

OAK LAWN, IL — There are no challengers on the ballot running against incumbent Oak Lawn Village Board trustees, marking the second uncontested village board races since the 1980s.

Trustees in the village’s odd numbered districts – 1, 3 and 5 – are up for reelection in the April 4 consolidated election. Residents will vote for trustees to represent their respective districts.

Dist. 1 - Tim Desmond has served on the village board since 2013.
Dist. 3 - Paul Mallo edged out the incumbent in 2019. Mallo is running for his second term.
Dist. 5 - Bud Stalker was elected in 2015 and is running for his third term.

Ralph Soch is running in a special election to fill the unexpired term for Dist. 6 trustee. Soch was appointed to the seat when Tom Phelan left to take the position of Oak Lawn village manager. Soch is a lifelong resident of the sixth district. He is a longtime employee of the Mars Company (formerly the Wrigley Company), overseeing the pet food division. Soch will serve until April 2025, and, if he chooses, will run for a full, four-year term.

In 2021, Mayor Terry Vorderer faced write-in challenger, the late Tom Karones. Residents interested in running as write-in candidates have until Feb. 2 to submit a notarized affidavit to the Oak Lawn village clerk, or the Cook County Clerk.