Progress Illinois

A great story from the Lisle Sun today. Recent college graduate Tony Michelassi was so frustrated by the lack of a Democratic candidate in the race for the 5th District seat on the Dupage County Board that he decided to run himself:

The 22-year-old had graduated with an associate's degree in political science from College of DuPage two months before the February primary. Although he started his college career as a rhetoric major at the University of Illinois, he had become increasingly interested in government administration.

So when he saw blank space after blank space on the ballot, he decided his name should go in the Democratic slot for the 5th District of the DuPage County Board, which includes Naperville and Lisle.

"I thought this would be a great way to get experience in the field, whether I win or not," said Michelassi, of Aurora.

After consulting with his local precinct committeewoman, Michelassi began attending meetings of the DuPage County Democratic Party and was nominated to run for the seat in March, just before the filing deadline.

In November, he'll compete with two Republicans - incumbent Jim Healy and attorney Gerry Cassioppi - for two of the District 5 seats on the 18-member board.

Go, Tony, go!