Activist Toolkit has collaborated with Village Free Press and other community partners to build a comprehensive voter guide for the April 6, 2021 elections in Hillside. Each candidate was given the opportunity to complete a questionnaire developed by members of the Hillside community.
The sections linked below allow voters to explore individual candidates' websites and social media accounts, as well as links to relevant articles, video from candidate forums, and any relevant campaign financial disclosures.
This guide will be updated with additional content as it appears. Please contact us here with questions or concerns.
[Updated 2/28/21]
ABOUT HILLSIDE
Hillside is a home rule community; it elects a mayor and six at-large trustees.
Hillside facts and figures:
Population: 7,933 (2019)
2020 annual budget: not available online
Median household income: $57, 298
Per capita income: $26,019
Median value of owner-occupied housing: $171,900
Poverty rate: 7.9%
Grades PK–8: 2.607 students
Instructional spending per pupil: $5,896
Total operational spending per pupil: $11.734
Low-income students: 84%
Grades PK–8: 429 students
Instructional spending per pupil: $8,380
Total operational spending per pupil: $16,250
Low-income students: 62%
Proviso East High School District 209
Grades 9-12: 1,660 students
Total operational spending per pupil: $17,338
Low-income students: 46%
Proviso Math and Science Academy District 209:
Grades 9-12: 822 students
Magnet school - competitive admissions policy
Total operational spending per pupil: $16,329
Low-income students: 31%
HILLSIDE VILLAGE MAYOR (1 open seat)
Gwendolyn Amber | Joseph T. Tamburino
HILLSIDE VILLAGE TRUSTEE (3 open seats)
Daniel Adams | Claudell Johnson | John N. “Jack” Kramer
Frank J. Lomeli, Sr. | Roger Romanelli | Amy Woodrick
HILLSIDE VILLAGE CLERK (1 open seat)
Linda L. Gould | LaTonya Williams
MEMORIAL PARK DISTRICT BOARD (2 open seatS)
Gwendolyn Evans | Karen “Selena” Martinez
HILLSIDE LIBRARY BOARD (xxxxxx open seat)
William J. Spain | Shirley Wachowski
District 87 school board (4 open seats)
Dennis Jackson | Rose Mason | Alejandro Sosa
District 93 school board (4 open seats)
Karen Slater | Kimberly Shed-McLaurin
District 209 school board (4 open seats)
Rodney Alexander | Amanda J. Grant | Arbdella 'Della' Patterson
Samuel Valtierrez
TRITON COLLEGE TRUSTEE
6-YEAR FULL TERM (2 OPEN SEATS)
Luke Casson | Tracy Jennings | Andrew Charles Kopinski
Mark R. Stephens
TRITON COLLEGE TRUSTEE
2-YEAR UNEXPIRED TERM (1 OPEN SEAT)
Candidate questionnaires for Hillside were developed by Activist Toolkit and Village Free Press. Banner photo by Shanel Romain.