DiCianni Wants Dual Duty: DuPage County Board Member and Elmhurst Mayor

Elmhurst Mayor Pete DiCianni announced he plans to run for DuPage County Board in District 2.

A number of residents received an invitation to DiCianni's "holiday fund-raiser," where he is scheduled to officially announce his candidacy.

The announcement follows the recent decision of current DuPage County Board member and Elmhurst resident to not seek re-election.

DiCianni said Elmhurst needs to retain representation on the County Board.

"Elmhurst has always had a seat at the table, which has enabled us to proactively deal with issues such as storm water, transportation, economic development, public safety and public health," he said in a letter to residents, which is written on the invitation to the fund-raiser. "It is integral to our community that we keep our seat at that table."

If he is elected, he says he plans to continue to serve as mayor of Elmhurst.

"When I campaigned for mayor of Elmhurst, I assured all my supporters that I was in it for the long haul," the letter said. "That remains true. As long as the voters of Elmhurst will have me, I will remain proud, and at the same time humbled, to be the mayor of Elmhurst."

DiCianni will be up for re-election in 2013.

He said the county position will allow his voice to reach beyond the city's boundaries, but his message will remain the same as it is now: "To use my skills and experience as a businessman and public servant to address the challenges we face," he wrote.

DuPage County Board members are paid $50,000 for the part-time positions. As mayor, DiCianni receives a $6,000-a-year stipend.

"The County Board position is a paid position," DiCianni said in his letter to residents. "Therefore, if elected to the board, my plan is to continue to strive to do my best as mayor and divert any mayoral compensation back to our city fund."

DiCianni said he has the support of "many mayors" in District 2, which includes parts of Elmhurst, Hinsdale, Oak Brook, Oakbrook Terrace, Villa Park, Lombard, Downers Grove, Lisle, Westmont, Woodridge and Clarendon Hills.

Also running for the position from Elmhurst is .

DiCianni's fund-raiser will be held Dec. 14, at .