La Grange Village President Backs Lyons Township Supervisor, But Keeps a Cap on the Support

In the tangled world of local Illinois politics, it’s not uncommon to see friendships cross over into campaign coffers. That’s exactly what’s happening in La Grange, where Village President Mark Kuchler has quietly slipped four separate donations into the political purse of Christopher Getty, the mayor of Lyons and the elected supervisor of Lyons Township.

Since 2022, those contributions add up to $1,250 – a modest sum by any standard. The most recent check, a $500 entry recorded in February, came from Kuchler’s campaign account, while the earlier $750 was paid directly out of his own pocket, according to the Illinois State Board of Elections.

When Patch asked Kuchler why he was backing Getty, his answer was as straightforward as it was diplomatic: “I supported Chris in his role as Mayor and township Supervisor and continue to support him in those roles.” He added, almost as an after‑thought, that he also helped Democrat Patty Garcia in her congressional run, noting past contributions to her campaign.

Getty, who’s now running as an independent for the U.S. House in the 4th District, wears two hats at once – mayor of Lyons and supervisor of Lyons Township – and collects a hefty salary of about $160,000 for both jobs. Over the years, his political committee has pulled in roughly $635,000 from contractors and businesses that do business with the village of Lyons and the township. That financial lifeline raised eyebrows, especially after a Patch analysis revealed a recent purchase of a car with campaign money that Getty never publicly explained.

Adding to the drama, the township’s clerk, Elyse Hoffenberg, has publicly accused Getty of skimping on his attendance at the township office and even suggested he’s been keeping tabs on her. Getty denied the allegations, but the feud adds another layer to an already complicated portrait of local governance.

The larger backdrop includes the sudden retirement of U.S. Rep. Jesús “Chuy” Garcia, which opened a scramble for the Democratic slot. Patty Garcia, his chief of staff and not related to the longtime Congressman, managed to gather enough signatures at the last minute to run unopposed in the primary – a move that drew criticism from Getty and others, and even earned a reprimand from the House.

In short, Kuchler’s support for Getty is genuine but measured. He’s willing to back the man who wears multiple hats in the neighboring township, yet he draws the line at pouring large sums into a single political operation. Whether that cautious approach will pay off in future elections remains to be seen, but it certainly paints a picture of a local leader who prefers a measured hand when it comes to political patronage.