Trio Running For Hinsdale Board, Incumbent Bowing Out

HINSDALE, IL – Three Hinsdale residents said this week they are running as a slate for the Village Board in next spring's election, calling themselves "Hinsdale Forward."

They are Jill Sunderson, chair of the Hinsdale Economic Development Commission and former president of The Community House; Bill Cotter, a Hinsdale District 181 board member; and Dr. Vijay Thangamani, an orthopedic surgeon.

The seats held by Alexis Braden, Scott Banke and Luke Stifflear are up in the April election.

In response to an inquiry, Braden, elected in 2023, said she hasn't decided on re-election.

Stifflear, who is nearing the end of his third term, told Patch he wouldn't run again. In 2024, he considered running for village president, but decided against it. Greg Hart was the lone candidate, with longtime President Tom Cauley deciding against a fifth term.

Patch left messages for comment with Banke.

The Hinsdale Forward slate issued a news release earlier this week. The statement included no criticism of the village government.

In the release, the slate said, "Preserving what makes Hinsdale special means continuing to embrace new ideas, modernize outdated processes and ways of working, and plan thoughtfully for the future."

They said they would build upon Hart's modernization initiatives by moving permitting online, establishing clear timelines and expectations for building and zoning applications, and eliminating outdated processes.

The slate also said they supported actively recruiting leading restaurant groups and stores and exploring targeted, fiscally responsible incentives to attract businesses that fit into Hinsdale's character.

Additionally, the candidates said they would back a responsible way to end the village vehicle sticker.

"It’s also about respecting residents' money, eliminating unnecessary costs and making sure Village government operates as efficiently as possible," they said.

Recent Village Board elections have been quiet.

With three seats in 2025, incumbents Michelle Fisher, Neale Byrnes and Matt Posthuma trounced challenger Carlos Aparicio.

The village saw no competition in 2021 and 2023.