West End candidate forum set for October 7 in Schroeder

Kalli Hawkins | October 2, 2026

Voters on the west end of Cook County will have a chance to meet candidates running for local and countywide offices at an upcoming candidate forum in Schroeder.

The West End Candidate Forum is scheduled for 7 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 7, at Schroeder Township Hall on Cramer Road, just off Highway 61.

Gregg Westigard, a volunteer organizer, said the goal is to give voters a chance to meet candidates in person, ask questions, and learn more about the offices on the ballot.

The forum is intended for voters in Cook County Commissioner District 5, which includes Schroeder, Tofte, Lutsen and the Pike Lake precinct, generally covering the area from the Cascade River west to the county line.

Organizers have invited candidates running for the three District 5 seats: Cook County Commissioner Chris Homyak, ISD 166 School Board member Dan Shirley, and North Shore Health Hospital Board incumbent Randy Wiitala and challenger Pat Campanaro. Candidates for countywide offices, including sheriff, county attorney, auditor-treasurer, and Soil and Water Conservation District, have also been invited.

Westigard said the format will include opportunities for candidates to introduce themselves, discuss their respective offices, and answer questions from the public.

Westigard said the event is intended to help voters understand both contested races and positions that may receive less public attention, including those in which a candidate is running unopposed.

With absentee and mail ballots already being sent to voters ahead of the Nov. 3 general election, Westigard said the forum offers an opportunity to learn more about the candidates before making voting decisions.

Beyond election information, organizers also hope the event will bring west end residents together and encourage more community conversations in the future.

“It’s also an opportunity to build community on the west end. For us to talk about our needs and to get to know one another,” Westigard said.

The forum is open to the public, and residents throughout District 5 are encouraged to attend.

WTIP’s Kalli Hawkins spoke with Gregg Westigard, a volunteer organizer for the West End Candidate Forum. Audio below.