Julie Berry, Jill Dunlap, Rick Lloyd, Patty Chlada | Facebook
Julie Berry, Jill Dunlap, Rick Lloyd, Patty Chlada | Facebook
Members of the 146 Forward slate are reveling in their Tuesday-night victory that landed them spots on the District 146 school board.
“Words cannot express the gratitude we feel this morning at the tremendous show of support from our community,” members Patty Chlada, Julie Berry, Jill Dunlap and Rick Lloyd said in a message posted to Facebook. “We will honor your trust every day. We will continue to put the needs of our students first and foremost.”
Running on a pledge to reopen schools in a field of seven candidates vying for four seats, Berry finished with 1,614 votes, Dunlap 1,547, Chlada 1,358 and Lloyd 1,120.
In the final days of the campaign, Dunlap left little doubt what 146 Forward members plan to make one of their first orders of business.
“The most pressing issue facing our district right now is the COVID-19 pandemic,” she told Patch.com. “If elected, I will work diligently to advocate for a safe, full-day, in-person model for our students.”
Dunlap stressed all four members are dedicated to that cause, along with being committed to dedicating whatever time is needed to make sure they stay in tune with issues critical to the community.
“I will listen thoughtfully and respectfully to others, but still express my opinion on important issues and vote with conviction,” she said. “I will also represent the entire community, not just a special interest group or personal opinion interests.”
Dunlap, a 45-year-old optometrist by trade, resides in Tinley Park with her husband and four children, all of whom have graduated from or currently attend District 146 schools.
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