Bernard Schoenburg
The State Journal-Register
Sarah Delano Pavlik, a Springfield lawyer and Capital Township trustee, says she is running for Springfield Ward 7 alderman. Pavlik, 47, joins candidates including incumbent Joe McMenamin and Michael Higgins, owner of Maldaner’s restaurant downtown and runner-up to McMenamin in 2011. Former Sangamon County Board member Jen Dillman had considered a run, but says she has decided against entering the race.
The general election for city offices is April 7. Pavlik said she was concentrating on getting enough signatures collected to file for the city office. “I’m not ready to get into specifics yet,” Pavlik said when asked about city issues. “But I think Springfield can be improved and I would like to help do that.”
City offices are officially nonpartisan, but Pavlik said she would welcome party backing. “It’s always good to have any supporters,” she said.
Filing for city offices runs from Nov. 17-24.
Pavlik was named to the township board to fill a vacancy in 2008 and was elected to full terms in 2009 and 2013. The main duty of the township government is to provide general assistance — including vouchers to help people pay for things including food, eyeglasses and prescriptions. There also is a work program that teams people with employers to help them acquire skills and jobs.
Pavlik is a Springfield native and graduate of Sacred Heart Academy. She got her bachelor’s degree at the University of Texas at Austin, where she studied accounting and business administration, and got her law degree from Notre Dame. She and her husband, Tom Pavlik, both practice law at Delano Law Offices, which was started by her late father, Charles “Chick” Delano.
Pavlik said she was checking to see if, as a candidate, she can continue the radio program she pays to have on the air. The program is called “Law Talk” and is on WTAX-AM at 11 a.m. Saturdays.
McMenamin said Thursday he will continue working on constituent issues and neighborhood concerns. “Competition often brings out the best in candidates,” McMenamin said, “and that’s what I will work towards.”
Joe McMenamin for Ward 7 