Could Batavia Get 1st New Mayor Since 1981? Voters Will Decide Tuesday

BATAVIA, IL — Local government could shift in Batavia come Tuesday, with the mayoral seat is up for grabs in the consolidated election.

Voters will have from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday to vote whether they'll reinstate Jeffery Schielke, who has served 11 terms, or switch gears and elect first-time challenger Thomas "Tom" Connelly instead.

An attorney, Connelly has previously served as an alderperson in Ward 4 and currently serves on the Batavia Historic Preservation Commission. Schielke is finishing his 43rd year as mayor of Batavia, having been in office since 1981.

In a Patch candidate survey sent to both mayoral candidates, Connelly said he has the "energy, commitment, leadership skills, and experience to see that the city's long-term goals are implemented and accomplished."

Economic growth and development, fiscal responsibility, and strengthening the city's sense of community are the three most pressing issues facing Batavia, according to Connelly. The candidate said economic growth and development are currently "stagnant," specifically in the downtown area.

This is what Connelly said he intends to do about each problem:

For development and economic growth, I would seek to actively attract responsible development and businesses that match our community’s identity. I would accomplish this through more aggressively marketing and seeking out partnerships with developers and businesses that will make significant investments in our community to develop a sustainable and diverse range of retail, restaurants, and mixed-use development that will complement the businesses we already have. Concerning fiscal responsibility, I would prioritize spending on essential services and programs discussed more fully below in another response. Finally, I would work closely with community organizations and residents to promote civic engagement and community-driven projects that strengthen our sense of community.

Schielke did not respond to Patch's invitation to answer the questionnaire. He told the Daily Herald that one of the reasons he's running for office again is to see the completion of several community-related projects, including restoring the downtown business district, upgrading the Fox River banks, revitalizing industrial plans, and improving traffic conditions on Kirk Road, Randall Road and Fabyan Parkway.

If reelected, the current mayor also plans to continue increasing housing opportunities in the city and improve public safety services, according to a report from the Chicago Tribune.

One alderperson seat in Wards 1, 2, 5 and 6 and two seats in Wards 3, 4 and 7 will also be up for election on April 1, 2025. All positions are four-year terms except one seat in Ward 3, 4 and 7, which are unexpired two-year terms.

Here's a look at the candidates:

Ward 1

• Jennifer Baerren

Ward 2

• Leah Leman

Ward 3

• Alice Lohman (four-year term)
• Kevin Malone (two-year term)

Ward 4

• Douglas A. Eldrenkamp (four-year term)
• Dustin Pieper (four-year term)
• Tony Malay (two-year term)

Ward 5

• James Fahrenbach
• Garran DeWain Sparks

Ward 6

• Matthew Anderson
• Kate Cuneo

Ward 7

• Sarah Vogelsinger (four-year term)
• Robin Barraza (two-year term)