As Palos Hills prepares for local elections, Alderman Mark H. Brachman says he’s not done yet. After nearly two decades representing the Second Ward, he’s running for re-election with a focus on preserving city services, staying connected with residents, and supporting community infrastructure.
Brachman first entered public service in 2007, following his retirement from teaching. An open aldermanic seat in the Second Ward sparked his interest and began what has become a long-standing role on the city council.
Brachman has spent his tenure prioritizing accessibility for residents and maintaining the smooth operation of city services. “I just [want] people to be comfortable with me, the residents are comfortable with me, and they know that if they give me a call, their problems would be addressed quickly and hopefully solved quickly,” Brachman said.
Brachman emphasizes the collaborative nature of the Palos Hills City Council. While he officially chairs the Public Works and Water and Sewer Committee, he works closely with other departments. “The mayor and the city council should be proud of the department heads and employees. Everyone—from public works to the police department—makes it clear this is a good place to work,” he said.
A longtime Palos Hills resident, Brachman moved to the city with his family in part because of its strong local school system—a value he and his wife, Andreatte, both educators, prioritized. “It gave me another job and it gave me another goal, which I really hadn’t thought of, but it really helped me a great deal as far as purpose,” he said of transitioning into public office after retirement.
Brachman continues to see purpose in his work, particularly in maintaining city services and infrastructure. He highlights the city’s commitment to public amenities like Bennett Park. “Anybody can use it. Seniors can use it. Little kids can use it. And it’s a really, really good benefit for the city,” he said. He also pointed to the public works building, calling it “the envy of other cities and villages.”
Public safety remains a top concern, and Brachman underscored the city council’s encouragement for residents to reach out. “The police chief has said many times that we want to come out. We are not going to get upset if it’s not necessarily an emergency,” he said. “If the resident feels that we need attention, then go ahead and make sure they call 911.”
Looking ahead, Brachman sees maintaining the city’s financial health as an ongoing challenge. “The only challenges [are] we have to be able to continue to pay for the services that we now offer,” he said, noting that while contract negotiations with city departments can take time, they have historically proceeded without conflict.
Beyond city hall, Brachman remains active in the community. “Every Tuesday, I play pinochle with some other seniors,” he said, adding that he and his wife are also regulars at the Moraine Valley fitness center, where they are part of a group of 25 to 30 seniors. Through these interactions, he brings concerns back to the council. “I feel like I’m a good advocate for [seniors],” he said.
Brachman stays connected with constituents through personal outreach and social media. “I’ve had a personal Facebook page forever, and now I have one for the city also,” he said. He also contributes to the city newsletter and personally welcomes new residents by dropping off helpful information.
A strong advocate for seniors, Brachman regularly relays their concerns—from snow removal to public safety—to city leadership. “Even if we can’t help directly, we try to connect residents to licensed local businesses that can,” he said.
As he seeks re-election, Brachman remains committed to the collaborative spirit of the council. “For the most part, when an ordinance comes up or an issue comes up, it’s passed almost unanimously,” he said. “The work relationship between the mayor and the city council is an actual one.”
Through his work with local service organizations like Sertoma, Brachman remains focused on giving back. “It’s just a service organization meant to help, whether it be kids with scholarships or charitable groups that really need the financing,” he said.
Brachman is facing challenger Stanley Lagodzinski in the upcoming election. Early voting has already started, and Election Day is April 1.
For Brachman, public service remains a calling—one he plans to continue answering if re-elected. “I’m still committed to attending the meetings. I’m still committed to contributing,” he said. “I want to continue to work with the public works committee and help keep things moving in that direction.”
Election Day is April 1. Early voting is underway.