Kevin Burns Vs. Karsten Pawlik For Geneva Mayor: 2025 Election

GENEVA, IL — Kevin Burns' sixth term as mayor of Geneva is coming to a close, and Karsten Pawlik, a construction professional and 24-year resident, is challenging him for the seat.

Geneva voters will have from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday to vote whether they'll reinstate Burns, who holds the title of Geneva's longest-serving mayor, or switch gears and elect newcomer Pawlik instead.

Burns was first elected mayor in 2001. A 50-year resident of Geneva, he cites several successes during his tenure, including presiding over 24 consecutive balanced budgets, reducing residents' property bills to the lowest percentage in 44 years, achieving zero debt in the general fund, and enhancing retail and commercial development.

"My involvement in all things Geneva is authentic, unmatched and reflects the importance of participating, celebrating, preserving and promoting what makes Geneva special and strengthens our exceptional brand," Burns said when he first announced his reelection campaign in January.

He continued: "My passion and energy to serve is as strong as ever. I welcome the responsibility and privilege of helping articulate, advance and achieve the success Geneva expects and deserves. I ask for your vote on April 1st to ensure that Geneva’s progress is continued, your promise is attained, and our potential is realized."

If elected to his first term, Pawlik, a Geneva resident since 2001, said he plans to transform stalled developments, including the Mill Race and vacant storefronts, invest in infrastructure, prioritize resident voices, and return to an "alderman-strong governance model."

"I believe in true transparency — keeping you informed and involved before decisions are made, not after," Pawlik wrote on his campaign website.

One four-year aldermanic seat in each of Geneva's five wards as well as a two-year term in Ward 5 will also be up for election Tuesday. Here's a look at the candidates:

Ward 1

• William Malecki

Ward 2

• Richard Marks

Ward 3

• Lee Eysturlid
• Larry Furnish
• Kevin Ziegler

Ward 4

• Amy Mayer
• Erin Di Silvestro

Ward 5

• Patrice Bertheau (four-year term)
• Jeff Palmquist (four-year term)
• Kim Edwards (four-year term)
• Mark Reinecke (two-year term)