January 18, 2026—Elmhurst, IL—The League of Women Voters of Elmhurst invites the public to attend a moderated candidate forum for DuPage Countywide Candidatesfrom 1:00 PM to 4:15 PM on Sunday, February 1, 2026, at Elmhurst City Hall (located at 209 N. York Road in Elmhurst).

Voters will hear directly from candidates and become informed about issues in DuPage County before the Primary General Election on Tuesday, March 17, 2026. Attendees will hear candidates’ platforms and priorities and can ask questions on important topics.

There are two contested Republican races featuring four candidates (each of whom the LWV Elmhurst invited to participate in our forum). Although we sent several invitations to these candidates, we received no responses. As a result, the aforementioned races will not be featured in our forum.

Schedule:

1:00 PM to 2:00 PM: Democratic Candidates for DuPage County Board (Districts 1 and 2)

• District 1 County Board (two-year term): Maria Sinkule
• District 1 County Board (two-year term): Nicolas Panicola Jr
• District 1 County Board (two-year term):  Melissa Villanueva
• District 2 County Board (two-year term):  Mahnoor Ahmad
• District 2 County Board (two-year term): Mary Rada Walters
• District 2 County Board (four-year term): Christopher Espinoza
• District 2 County Board (two-year term): Guido Nardini

2:15 PM to 2:45 PM: Democratic Candidates for DuPage County Forest Preserve Board of Commissioners

*We will begin with a three-minute statement ONLY from District 2 candidate Tina Tyson Dunne; both Jacalynn "Jax" West and Dana Moreau did not respond despite repeated outreach.

• District 1: Quinn Fulmer
• District 1: Susan Smentek

3:00 PM to 3:30 PM: Democratic Candidates for DuPage County Sheriff

•  Robert (Bob) Carroll
•  Peter Joseph Coolidge

3:45 PM to 4:15 PM: Democratic Candidates for DuPage County Clerk

• Paula Deacon Garcia
• Jean Kaczmarek

The League of Women Voters has been nonpartisan since 1920, meaning it neither supports nor opposes any political party or candidate.

The League hosts candidate forums only for contested races, inviting all candidates on the ballot. If only one candidate is present, they can give a three-minute introductory statement, but no forum is held. No surrogates are allowed.

Forums are moderated by trained, non-partisan volunteers. Each candidate gets equal time for an opening statement and to answer audience questions. Audience members submit questions on notecards, which the League reviews for appropriateness and to avoid duplication. Questions are asked in rotation to ensure all candidates have a chance to respond, followed by closing statements.

"This is a vital opportunity for voters to be informed and make their voices heard," said Dorothy McGuire, Co-President of the League of Women Voters of Elmhurst. "We encourage everyone to attend, ask questions, and participate in shaping our community’s future."

You do not need to be a member to attend a League candidate forum. Elmhurst TV will broadcast the forum, and a link will be posted on the Elmhurst LWV website at https://elmhurstil.lwv.org.

For more information, contact lwvelmhurstvoterservice [at] gmail.com