The Hinsdale Caucus: An Overview

Why Have a Caucus System?

Independence. Pride. Integrity. Tradition. Involvement. Self-Government.

• Serving the community for over 75 years, the Hinsdale Caucus has provided a non-partisan method of identifying and supporting candidates for Village Board president and trustee and Village Clerk, the District 181 (elementary) School Board and the Library Board. The Caucus is a more than 200-year-old process that helps to choose government officials in smaller communities and villages such as Hinsdale.
• The purpose of the Caucus, as stated in its By-laws, “...is to provide a thoroughly objective process for recruiting, selecting, nominating and supporting the most highly qualified individuals available as candidates for Village offices.”
• The Caucus is made up of a diverse cross-section of Hinsdale residents – your neighbors and friends – who are registered voters and volunteer delegates from the Elm, Lane, Madison, Monroe and Oak school areas (sections). Also included are representatives from Clarendon Hills, Oak Brook, Willowbrook and Burr Ridge to represent their areas for the District 181 School Board nominating committee.
  
• The volunteer delegates from the respective school attendance areas are organized into geographic sections by the Caucus. Each of the sections has a chairperson and an assistant, who essentially lead their section by keeping it organized and informed. Individual delegates are occasionally asked to volunteer specific Caucus-related services, such as helping with recruitment and publicity.
• Delegates serve for two years and meet regularly three times a year. This two-year cycle helps to ensure fresh participation in the Caucus and keeps the Caucus process vibrant.
• Approximately 50 residents are participating in the current two-year cycle of the Caucus, which began at the June 2010 organizational meeting. (Click here to see a complete list of the current Caucus participants.)
• The Caucus is funded by contributions from residents and other individuals, and Hinsdale businesses and organizations.
• New By-Laws, as of September 2010.

The Nominating Process: How Candidates are Endorsed

• Four nominating committees are formed, and Caucus delegates are selected at random for service on one of these committees. The four committees are: Village Board, District 181 School Board, Library Board and Caucus Officers. The random selection ensures an equitable and fair candidate selection process.
• Candidates for the various offices are recruited over several months by Nominating Committee members and residents using notices in local media, personal contacts and other means. All qualified individuals are invited to participate. The Caucus Nominating Committees meet with candidates and evaluate them according to criteria including experience, commitment, intelligence, fairness, absence of conflicts of interest, and absence of a political agenda.
• Each Nominating Committee presents its candidate recommendations at a regular meeting of the Caucus. Nominations from the floor are also accepted. Candidate presentations include a brief description of qualifications and an explanation of why a candidate is suitable for a particular position. All Caucus delegates then vote on each nominee and, upon selection, the Caucus supports the individual candidates as they campaign for office.
• More information on the nominating process can be found in the Caucus By-Laws

We invite you to participate in Hinsdale government.
Please join the Caucus as a delegate or candidate.
Don’t leave the future of Hinsdale to someone else.

Caucus Officers

• Amy Louis Chair
• Paul Kallis Vice Chair
• Lauri McMahon Treasurer
• Vicki Casmere Recording Secretary
• Jeff Armstrong Communications Secretary

Upcoming Meetings

The First Regular Meeting of the 2013 Caucus will be held in May 2012.

Reference Information

• Caucus By-Laws (Updated Sept. 2010.)
• Campaign Disclosure Information