At our caucus on January 13, the Downers Grove Township Democrats nominated seven
candidates to run for township offices. Mark Garrity is running for Supervisor; Karol Sole for
Highway Commissioner; Char Rinkuns for Clerk; and Christopher English, R. Christine
Hotchkin, Carol DiCola, and Meg Kadlec for Trustee. The election will be held on April 7.
Mark Garrity, candidate for Supervisor, has been a self-employed businessman since 1982,
managing multi million dollar projects through the sales, design, procurement, manufacturing,
installation, and commissioning phases. Mark’s family moved to the Village of Downers Grove
in 1967, when he was 11. He attended Fairmount School, O’Neill Jr. High, and Downers Grove
South High School in the village and the University of Illinois Chicago. As a result of Mark’s
tireless commitment to the democratic process, he has been named Downers Grove Township
Precinct Committeeman of the year.
Karol Sole, candidate for Highway Commissioner, has been a resident of Westmont since 2004.
She earned a Bachelor of Science in Industrial Engineering from the University of Iowa and has
achieved the designations of Certified Hazardous Materials Manager, Registered Environmental
Manager, and Chartered Industrial Gas Consultant. She is currently the President of the Chicago
Chapter of the Academy of Certified Hazardous Materials Managers and President-elect of the
Democratic Women of DuPage County. She is Vice Chair of the Downers Grove Township
Democratic Party, and an active Precinct Committeeman.
Char Rinkuns, candidate for Clerk, is a resident of Downers Grove. Currently serving as a
Precinct Committeeman, she has more than 25 years of business management experience
including 15 years as a small business owner. She has a lifelong commitment to progressive
causes and political activism.
Christopher English, candidate for Trustee, is an architect with 40 years of professional
experience and a former small business owner. He is familiar with the needs of local
government boards. He is a husband and father of two.
R. Christine Hotchkin, candidate for Trustee, has lived in Downers Grove Township with her
family for over thirty years. She is a special education teacher at Westview Hills Middle School
in Willowbrook. Chris has previously served as Chair of the Downers Grove Township
Democratic Organization and Vice Chair of the Democratic Party of DuPage County.
Carol DiCola, candidate for Trustee, has been a resident of Downers Grove for 11 years. She has
worked in the educational field for over 23 years. She graduated from Triton College
in Business Administration, and earned a Bachelor's degree from St. Mary of-the-Woods College
in Business Management and a Master's Degree from Loyola University in College Student
Personnel. She has served as treasurer of two professional organizations and participated on a
Parish Council to advise the pastor on financial concerns. Carol is involved in the League of
Women Voters of Downers Grove, Woodridge, and Lisle; is a member of a local woman’s service
club; and serves as a Precinct Committeeman. One of Carol’s personal philosophies is to always
assess everything -- what went well, what didn’t, and what can be done to improve things the
next time around. That is how she’ll approach matters as Trustee of Downers Grove Township.
Meg Kadlec, candidate for Trustee, has lived in Downers Grove for 14 years. She has
experience as an educator as well as in management. For the last eight years, she has run an
independent tutoring business. She is a past President of the League of Women Voters of
Downers Grove, Woodridge, and Lisle and currently serves as a Precinct Committeeman. She is
married and has one son.
To contact the Democratic candidates, email them at Dems4DGTownship@gmail.com or phone
them at 630-270-3511. You can get more information or make a contribution at the DG Township Candidates website or www.dgdemocrats.com.
candidates to run for township offices. Mark Garrity is running for Supervisor; Karol Sole for
Highway Commissioner; Char Rinkuns for Clerk; and Christopher English, R. Christine
Hotchkin, Carol DiCola, and Meg Kadlec for Trustee. The election will be held on April 7.
Mark Garrity, candidate for Supervisor, has been a self-employed businessman since 1982,
managing multi million dollar projects through the sales, design, procurement, manufacturing,
installation, and commissioning phases. Mark’s family moved to the Village of Downers Grove
in 1967, when he was 11. He attended Fairmount School, O’Neill Jr. High, and Downers Grove
South High School in the village and the University of Illinois Chicago. As a result of Mark’s
tireless commitment to the democratic process, he has been named Downers Grove Township
Precinct Committeeman of the year.
Karol Sole, candidate for Highway Commissioner, has been a resident of Westmont since 2004.
She earned a Bachelor of Science in Industrial Engineering from the University of Iowa and has
achieved the designations of Certified Hazardous Materials Manager, Registered Environmental
Manager, and Chartered Industrial Gas Consultant. She is currently the President of the Chicago
Chapter of the Academy of Certified Hazardous Materials Managers and President-elect of the
Democratic Women of DuPage County. She is Vice Chair of the Downers Grove Township
Democratic Party, and an active Precinct Committeeman.
Char Rinkuns, candidate for Clerk, is a resident of Downers Grove. Currently serving as a
Precinct Committeeman, she has more than 25 years of business management experience
including 15 years as a small business owner. She has a lifelong commitment to progressive
causes and political activism.
Christopher English, candidate for Trustee, is an architect with 40 years of professional
experience and a former small business owner. He is familiar with the needs of local
government boards. He is a husband and father of two.
R. Christine Hotchkin, candidate for Trustee, has lived in Downers Grove Township with her
family for over thirty years. She is a special education teacher at Westview Hills Middle School
in Willowbrook. Chris has previously served as Chair of the Downers Grove Township
Democratic Organization and Vice Chair of the Democratic Party of DuPage County.
Carol DiCola, candidate for Trustee, has been a resident of Downers Grove for 11 years. She has
worked in the educational field for over 23 years. She graduated from Triton College
in Business Administration, and earned a Bachelor's degree from St. Mary of-the-Woods College
in Business Management and a Master's Degree from Loyola University in College Student
Personnel. She has served as treasurer of two professional organizations and participated on a
Parish Council to advise the pastor on financial concerns. Carol is involved in the League of
Women Voters of Downers Grove, Woodridge, and Lisle; is a member of a local woman’s service
club; and serves as a Precinct Committeeman. One of Carol’s personal philosophies is to always
assess everything -- what went well, what didn’t, and what can be done to improve things the
next time around. That is how she’ll approach matters as Trustee of Downers Grove Township.
Meg Kadlec, candidate for Trustee, has lived in Downers Grove for 14 years. She has
experience as an educator as well as in management. For the last eight years, she has run an
independent tutoring business. She is a past President of the League of Women Voters of
Downers Grove, Woodridge, and Lisle and currently serves as a Precinct Committeeman. She is
married and has one son.
To contact the Democratic candidates, email them at Dems4DGTownship@gmail.com or phone
them at 630-270-3511. You can get more information or make a contribution at the DG Township Candidates website or www.dgdemocrats.com.
