The window to enter the Downers Grove mayor's race closes at 5 p.m. Monday, Oct. 26, with two candidates vying to succeed Mayor Bob Barnett.
Village Commissioner Chris Gilmartin, 54, and former Mayor Brian Krajewski, 63, are the declared candidates for the April 6, 2027, election. Barnett cannot seek another term because of the village's term limits.
Candidates must file statements of candidacy and nominating petitions with the Village Clerk at the Civic Center, 850 Curtiss St., by the deadline, according to the village's candidate information page. Each candidate needs at least 94 signatures. If more than four candidates file for mayor, DuPage County will hold a primary election on Feb. 23, 2027.
As we reported Oct. 24, Krajewski confirmed his candidacy on Friday, Oct. 23, joining a race Gilmartin had entered the day before. Whether any additional candidates filed before the Monday cutoff was not known as of publication.
Gilmartin, a 21-year Downers Grove resident, has served on the Village Council since winning election in 2021 and won reelection in 2025. He is the founder and CEO of a digital marketing company.
In his announcement, Gilmartin pointed to the council's fiscal record during his tenure. He said the village balanced four consecutive budgets without increasing property taxes for operations and holds a AAA bond rating from S&P. He also cited more than $72 million in private investment attracted to the village, including Lurie Children's Hospital and Rivian Motors, through his work on the Economic Development Corporation.
"Good local government is mostly careful, steady work," Gilmartin said in a statement posted on social media. "It's digging into what is before us, challenging the status quo, listening before I vote and following through."
Krajewski served as Downers Grove mayor from 1999 to 2007, when he lost a reelection bid to Ron Sandack. He currently sits on the DuPage County Board as its second most senior member and is running for reelection to that two-year seat, as first reported by Shaw Local.
If he wins the mayoral race, Krajewski said he would resign from the county board, and DuPage County Board Chairwoman Deb Conroy would appoint his Republican successor, according to Shaw Local.
Beyond his county board work, Krajewski chairs the Downers Grove Township Republican Committeeman's Organization and is a member of the DuPage County Republican Central Committee. He is an attorney and CPA. Shaw Local's report did not include a statement from Krajewski on why he is running or what his priorities would be as mayor.
Former Commissioner Greg Hose said he has no plans to run for mayor, despite indicating interest several months ago, according to Shaw Local.
Commissioner Martin Tully does not plan to seek reelection to his council seat, Shaw Local reported. Tully, who served as mayor before Barnett, will begin a career in real estate in addition to practicing law.
The village will also elect three commissioners in the April 6, 2027, consolidated election.
