Vorderer To Lead Oak Lawn First Party In April 2021 Election

OAK LAWN, IL — Oak Lawn Village board members up for renewal in April 2021 are getting the band back together by reviving the Oak Lawn First Party. Tr. Terry Vorderer has thrown his hat into the ring for mayor after Sandra Bury announced she would not be seeking a third term. Trustees Alex Olejniczak and Tom Phelan are running to retain their seats in Dist. 2 and Dist. 6, respectively.

Newcomers Jamie Pembroke have been tapped to run for Vorderer’s seat in Dist. 4, and Claire Henning is seeking the office of village clerk, to replace the retiring Jane Quinlan.

Jamie Pembroke

Pembroke is a 30-year Oak Lawn resident and career educator who taught in Chicago public schools and at St. Laurence and DeLaSalle highs schools before settling in Evergreen Park Community High School for the past 20 years. He also coached Brother Rice’s hockey team to a Kennedy Cup championship and was recently inducted into Br. Rice’s Sports Hall of Fame. Pembroke has also been appointed to village commissions, including past and current stints on the village’s planning and development, architectural review and historic preservation commissions.

"I’m excited to be a part of the Oak Lawn First team and look forward to being even more involved in Village government," Pembroke said in a news release.

Claire Henning

Henning, a married mother of four, is a tax preparer and small business manager. She was born and raised in Oak Lawn and attended St. Catherine of Alexandria’s grammar school, Mt. Assisi igh school in Lemont, and Moraine Valley Community College. She is active in the St. Catherine’s Parish where she participates in the parish council, the theater program, and served as the Family School Association Treasurer.

“After meeting with Jane Quinlan and learning about the clerk’s role and responsibilities, I feel I’m qualified for the job and I’m excited to join such a dynamic and experienced team," Henning said.

Phelan and Olejniczak formed Oak Lawn First in 2013 and recruited current Sandra Bury, who is not seeking re-election for mayor, and others to run for seats on the village board. Vorderer ran as an independent in 2013 but since that time he has been working together with his fellow board members in the spirit of cooperation and mutual respect.

“Taxpayers are tired of political fighting – they elect people to get things done,” Vorderer said. “Tom, Alex, and I have a great working relationship and decided to team together to keep Oak Lawn moving forward.”

While it's tempting to say mission accomplished, "it hasn’t worked well for politicians in the past," Phelan said.

“That said, our property tax levy is lower today than it was in 2008, we have 40-percent fewer employees, and we paid down almost $30 million in debt over the last several years,” Phelan added.

Olejniczak touted Oak Lawn’s emergency services as the best in the Southland since joining the village board in 2009.

“We continue to rank well in FBI crime statistics despite bordering the third largest city in America,” Olejniczak said.

Bury said the Oak Lawn First Party had her full backing.

“The positive momentum we have in Oak Lawn is amazing, and this is the team that made it happen. Terry brings a lifetime of public safety experience, Alex is an expert in operations, and Tom’s financial prowess and innovative ideas have transformed Oak Lawn. With the addition of Jamie and Claire, I know they will keep the positive momentum going and I endorse them enthusiastically.”

In 2014, Oak Lawn residents passed a term limits binding referendum limiting the mayor, village clerk and trustee to three terms for any given board seat. The measure took effect starting with the April 2015 consolidated election.

The Illinois State Board of Elections has compiled a candidate's guide for citizens interested in running for a local office. Information can also be found on the Cook County Clerk’s website.