Wojowski wins last seat on Plainfield board

JOLIET – Brian Wojowski will be a Village of Plainfield trustee after winning the election by lottery Friday morning over opponent Michael Lambert.

The lottery was held because the two candidates tied for the last spot on the village board in the April 7 elections.

"This is a unique experience," Wojowski said. "It does show that every vote counts, every single vote."

Lambert and Wojowski were part of a six-man race for three spots on the village board, which included incumbent Bill Lamb, plan commissioners Edward O'Rourke and John Green, and Naperville firefighter Mark Chmura.

After provisional votes were counted, Lamb and O'Rourke had the two highest vote totals, with 768 and 759 votes, respectively. But Lambert and Wojowski were tied for the third trustee spot at 741 votes.

Wojowski is a 42-year-old police officer for the Village of New Lenox, who said he would be a watchdog for the village's finances, transparency and accountability if he was elected.

He said he will also advocate for preserving the history and quality of homes in Plainfield, especially in new residential developments and the Route 30 tax-increment financing district that the village is exploring.

"I want to help foster business growth in the community," Wojowski said. "And I want to encourage more people to vote."