Clear Choice Slate Kicks Off Village Board Campaign with Morning Meet‑and‑Greet at Tierra Distilling
CLARENDON HILLS, Ill. — October 28, 2026 — Clear Choice, a slate of four Clarendon Hills neighbors running for the Village Board, held its first campaign event this morning with a petition-signing meet-and-greet at Tierra Distilling. Residents stopped in for a cup of coffee between 7:30 and 9:00 a.m. to sign
nominating petitions and meet Keith Chval, candidate for Village President, and Kathleen Hirsman, Erika Jones, and Derek White, candidates for Village Trustee.
Although the event was only lightly promoted, the slate made significant progress toward its petition requirements, and residents signed up to volunteer in a wide variety of ways. Much of the morning was spent putting the slate’s commitment to open dialogue into practice, as the candidates listened to the questions and concerns of the many residents who stopped by.
“What a wonderful opportunity to get together with our CH neighbors — welcoming familiar faces and making new acquaintances,” said Kathleen Hirsman, candidate for Village Trustee.
“I was so happy that the folks who came out represented what our slate so much wants to be about — all the variety and diversity that make up Clarendon Hills’ residents,” said Keith Chval, candidate for Village President. “Old-timers and newcomers, young moms and great-grandparents, working stiffs, stay-at-home moms, and retirees, north and south sides. You name it, we met and heard from quite the cross-section.
What a great way to kick off our campaign!”
The slate also unveiled its candidate biographies, compiled into a one-page campaign piece attached to this
release. Chval, a lifelong Clarendon Hills resident, is President & CEO of Protek International, a former prosecutor with the Illinois Attorney General’s and DuPage State’s Attorney’s Offices, and a former member of the District 86 Board of Education. Hirsman, a 41-year resident, served on the District 86 Board of Education from 2015 to 2023 and is a Distinguished Lecturer in Residence at Loyola University Chicago School of Law. Jones, an eight-year resident, is a former AYSO volunteer coach, Walker School parent
volunteer, and served with the Clarendon Hills Infant Welfare Society. White, a 30-year resident, is Vice President & CFO of S.T.A.T.E. Testing, LLC, a licensed Professional Engineer in Illinois, and a longtime youth coach and church leader.
Residents who were unable to attend and would like to sign a petition, volunteer, or share their thoughts with the candidates are encouraged to email:
About Clear Choice:
Clear Choice is a slate of four Clarendon Hills neighbors — Keith Chval, candidate for Village President, and Kathleen
Hirsman, Erika Jones, and Derek White, candidates for Village Trustee — committed to transparent decision-making,
respectful dialogue, and accountable local government. The consolidated election is April 6, 2027. For more
information, email ClearChoice4CH@gmail.com.