Residents accuse Bensenville leadership of secrecy; one announces write-in bid

Two residents used public comment at Tuesday's Bensenville board meeting to raise concerns about transparency and to announce political intentions. James Nylander, a local pastor and chaplain to the Bensenville Police Department, told trustees he raised questions about a December news article, said he sought answers from trustees and later met privately with Village President Frank DeSimone but found the responses unsatisfactory. Nylander described what he called an intimidating post-meeting scene when trustees left the meeting in a line and did not stop to speak to attendees.

"Frank DeSimone, you're not operating in the best interest of Bensonville," Nylander said, adding that he believed actions by administration members had led to retaliation against his chaplains. In a separate comment, Susan Foster urged the board to hold public debates and fully present pros and cons before the April 2025 referendum on switching the village from a manager form to an elected village president. Foster noted the candidate filing period closed in November and said the proposed change could raise the village president's pay to about $135,000. "We, the residents of Bentonville, deserve answers and answers in a timely manner," Foster said, and told the board she is mounting a write-in candidacy for village president.

Board members did not take action on the allegations during the meeting; the remarks were part of the public-comment period and not entered as formal charges or evidence. The board later proceeded with its agenda items.