Hinsdale Magazine | Spotlight Oak Brook
G
opal Lalmalani has enjoyed practicing cardiology for more than 40 years.
But the 72-year-old Oak Brook Village President has put much of his heart into serving the people of Oak Brook over the past 15 years. Lalmalani served five years on the village’s Plan Commission, before successfully running for village president in 2011. He has been reelected to additional four-year terms twice — in 2015 and in 2019. And his three consecutive terms as Oak Brook’s top elected official matches the record held by former Village President Karen Bushy, who served from 1991 to 2003. “I always was interested in getting involved,” Lalmalani said. “I’ve always had this bug in my head to serve, and I previously was involved with medical organizations. Some residents suggested that I get involved with the village, which led to me serving on the Plan Commission and then running for village president." Lalmalani said he increasingly has spent more time on villagerelated duties since becoming village president. He has scaled back his cardiology practice by about onethird to allow more time for Oak Brook business, he said.
Gopal Lalmalani Oak Brook Village President BY CHUCK FIELDMAN I PHOTOGRAPHY BY MARCELLO RODARTE 38
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“It’s become a way of life for me,” he said. “I have dedicated my life to the community service of Oak Brook and find that very fulfilling. I always am interested in what we can do to provide better services for our residents and businesses because we are here to serve them.” Lalmalani said his ears and eyes always are open to Oak Brook residents and representatives from businesses in the village. “They are why we’re here; I have no personal agenda,” he said. Lalmalani has had some disagreements over the years with
