2025 Consolidated Election – Somonauk Library Board Trustee Candidates Bio

This webpage provides information for candidates running in the upcoming 2025 Consolidated Election for Somonauk Library Board of Trustees. The library requested each candidate to answer a questionnaire, allowing them to share their background, experience, and vision for the library’s future in their own words. Our goal is to help voters make informed decisions by providing clear and concise details about those seeking to serve the community. Stay informed and engaged as you prepare to cast your vote!

Candidate information are ordered here in the same way they will be displayed on the ballot.

Christopher J Gresk

Christopher was appointed to the Library Board of Directors in August 2022 to fill a vacancy and was elected in March 2023. He currently serves as the Board Secretary and on the Library Policy Review Committee and he also leads the Library’s Men’s Book Club.

Prior to joining the Board he attended author nights, blood drives, book sales, and utilized both the PrairieCat print and the OMNI E-Book systems to satisfy his interest in historical, biographical, humorous, fictional, and scientific offerings. Since joining the board he has seen how all the various programs and activities at the library provide community and educational opportunities in the Somonauk /Sandwich area. Christopher believes the primary responsibility of the Library Board of Trustees is to ensure the continued fiscally responsible management of the library’s resources and to provide support for the library professionals who manage the day to day operations of the facility.

Marilyn Abbott

Marilyn has been a resident of the Library District since 2004 and has been on the Library Board for over ten years. After moving to Somonauk, she has used the library often and has spent time attending programs sponsored by the library. In recent years, Marilyn became a member of the Friends of the Somonauk Library and enjoys being part of this great organization that supports the library with various fundraising events. Marilyn stated that, “I am proud and honored to serve on the Board of this wonderful library.”

Tom Harmon

Tom has lived in the Somonauk Library District for 53 years.  Currently serving as a Somonauk Library Trustee.  He served on the Somonauk Village Board for 22 years as Village Clerk, Village Trustee, and Village President.  He also served 4 years on the LaSalle County Waste Water Board.  Currently President of the Leland Alumni Association.

Tom wants to see the Somonauk Library continue to grow and keep up with future modern day technology for all our residents without censorship.  To provide our residents with the finest and most efficient services to the best of our ability. Tom will serve the Somonauk Library as he has shown in the past for the citizens of Somonauk.

James Beal

Dr. James Beal has been a resident of the Library District for 37 years. He is a retired educator and former deputy sheriff with a strong history of community service.

Dr. Beal is running for the Library Board to assure fair and equitable governance, accountability and transparency, smart policies and strategic growth and finally to improve innovation and community engagement.

Dr. Beal hopes to establish common-sense policies, ensure transparent and fair book challenge reviews, ensure compliance with the Children’s Internet Protection Act (CIPA) and develop a ten year strategic plan for the district.  He hopes to bring current technological advances as well as expanding the library’s partnerships.

Kathleen Rhoden

Kathleen sees the library as a very important and public place that reflects our town’s values. She has a bachelor’s degree in English, with a focus on Victorian literature, so it’s no surprise that her kids love stories and spend a lot of time at our library. After starting a family and becoming a stay-at-home mom, she focused on volunteer roles, such as serving as a captain on the Help Center Team at Harvest Chapel. Library trustee is another way she feels she can serve the local community.

Boards and bylaws are not unfamiliar to Kathleen. She’s spent the last 6 years as a staff member on the board of the North West Territory Alliance, a 501c3 non-profit living history organization that spans the midwestern states. Half that time, she held the position of Judge Advocate General, and the other half, she was the Recruiting Officer for the organization at large. Her roles included interpreting and writing bylaws and the operations manual for the NWTA board. She also developed a library of loaner materials for new participants.

Freedom of speech is of the utmost importance to Kathleen, no matter one’s political affiliation. The library offers books, magazines, programming, and a community space that should not be restricted for any political agenda. That said, she also believes that our community desires library materials and programming to be age appropriate.

Gina Skofich

Gina was raised in Somonauk and has been on the Library Board for nearly 8 years and is the Treasurer. She is currently running for reelection to the Library Board so that she can continue promoting literacy and a sense of community by providing resources and activities for all patrons. Gina is very active within the library as well. She belongs to three book clubs, the Friends of the Somonauk Library, Chics with Sticks and Diamond Divas. She obtained her love of reading from her mother who was an avid reader.

She would often make trips to the library to update her mother with the newest releases. When asked what she liked best about the Somonauk Library, Gina responded, “The welcoming atmosphere as you enter the building and from the groups that are offered.”

Kinsay Smith

Kinsay has lived in the library distict for 13+ years. She is interested in becoming a library trustee to give back to the community. My goals as library board member are to keep our library as a valued community resource all while working alongside a diverse group of individuals to do the same.

Besides the books and the variety of programs offered through the library, her most favorite aspect of the library is the walking path. Something about being in nature and books brings joy to her heart.

Kinsay’s vision for the library is to be able to keep it at the forefront of our community, to engage members of all ages and walks of life and to reignite the passion and love of learning among all.