What's Next For Crystal Lake?: Projected Election Winners Sound Off

CRYSTAL LAKE AND CARY, IL — Voters in Crystal Lake have elected two incumbents and one newcomer to serve on the city council, according to unofficial results.

As of early Wednesday morning, incumbent Brett Hopkins lead the race with 2,634 votes, or 25.69 percent of the vote total in the five-way race. Incumbent Ellen Brady followed with 2,340 votes, or 22.82 percent of the vote total, and newcomer Denise Smith appeared poised to grab the third open seat on the board with 2,210 votes (21.56 percent of the vote total).

Meanwhile, newcomers Donald Kountz had 1,523 votes and Robert Brechbiel had 1,545 votes, according to unofficial results, which did not include late-arriving and provisional votes.

Hopkins, a longtime city councilor, will serve his fourth term on the Crystal Lake City Council.

Among his priorities this term will be to focus on a way to move Crystal Lake forward "given our rapidly changing world and how the post-pandemic economy has reshaped the way we work, live, and shop in Crystal Lake."

"Communities that can adapt to this changing environment will have a competitive advantage, while those that do not prepare for the future will decline," he wrote in a candidate questionnaire posted on Patch.

He said plans to revitalize vacant areas within Crystal Lake through innovative mixed-use development is key.

"High-quality, compact walkable communities located next to desirable amenities" should also be a focus, according to Hopkins.

A "complete buildout of the old Walmart" property is a priority for him this term and he'd also like to see more amenities added at Three Oaks Recreation Area.

• Read more: Brett Hopkins: Candidate For Crystal Lake City Council
  

Brady, who has served on the city council for 24 years, said she's looking forward to continuing to serve the city of Crystal Lake with "integrity and dedication," according to her campaign website.

Among her accomplishments is her involvement in the planning, building and opening of Three Oaks Recreation Area, which attracts over "70,000 visitors a year to our community," according to her campaign website.

Moving forward she will be focused on business growth, a balanced budget and focusing on making sure Crystal Lake has the "lowest possible tax burden for our citizens and businesses while continuing to maintain the quality City services for our residents."

She said continuing to attract and keep retail businesses in Crystal Lake is key.

"Crystal Lake will collect over $14,000,000 in sales tax revenue this year that will be used to fund the services provided by Crystal Lake without reaching into the pockets of the Crystal Lake resident to pay for them," Brady wrote on her campaign website.

Brady is also focused on seeing more additions at Three Oaks, including a path around the entire south lake, and updates to Crystal Lake's downtown, which include more outdoor eating and a re-configuration of the Veterans Memorial Park to add more public gathering places.

Smith, a physical therapist, will be joining the board, according to unofficial results. She says prioritizing the health of the city's senior population is important.

She said the closing of Northwestern's Health and Fitness Center in Crystal Lake hit seniors hard—many lost a place to stay active and to socialize, which helped them "invest in their physical and mental health."

"Prevention through exercise and strength of the mind and body is the key to longevity," she wrote in response to a candidate questionnaire posted on Patch.com

"Many of our elderly residents live alone and need the ability to interact to maintain a positive mental attitude," Smith added. "There are some facilities in the City that have some nice amenities for these residents and it appears that the former NW Health and Fitness Center will not be an option due to leasing issues. Therefore, there should be a concerted effort to find another option for a facility that offers options like a track for our seniors to safely exercise all year long."

Mayor Haig Haleblian ran uncontested in the Crystal Lake mayoral race. He appeared on the ballot as a write-in candidate.

Haleblian was appointed as acting mayor of Crystal Lake in May 2020 after the unexpected death of longtime Mayor Aaron Shepley. He was also picked by voters in April 2021 in a special election to continue in the post.

Haleblian had been a Crystal Lake city councilor for three years when he was picked to step into the role as acting mayor after Shepley, who served as Crystal Lake's mayor for 21 years, died in his sleep at age 56.

Haleblian says he will be focused on holding the line on property taxes in Crystal Lake, which has the lowest property tax rate in McHenry County, according to Haleblian's campaign website. He's also focused on attracting commercial and residential development to the "old Walmart property," which has sat vacant along Route 14 for years in Crystal Lake.

Haig, who owns Exceed Floor and Home, says working to attract and retain small businesses is also important to Crystal Lake

"Small businesses are part of the life-blood of Crystal Lake providing jobs for local residents and enhancing the economic development of Crystal Lake, which means less reliance on property taxes," he wrote on his campaign website.