Lake Forest Mayor Election: Randy Tack v. Prue Beidler v. Paul Hamann

LAKE FOREST, IL — Voters in Lake Forest are set to pick a new mayor Tuesday in the city's most hotly contested municipal election in decades.

After the Lake Forest Caucus rejected the vote of its membership at its annual meeting last year and endorsed Dr. Randy Tack, a former 3rd Ward alderman, two independent candidates filed paperwork to challenge the pick of the local political action committee — former 2nd Ward Ald. Prue Beidler and former GOP congressional candidate Paul Hamann.

According to a member of the caucus' executive committee, members held an emergency meeting on Nov. 10, 2022, the day after the membership of the 88-year-old local political party voted against endorsing Tack by a roughly two-to-one margin at its annual meeting.

At that meeting, the committee voted unanimously not to consider Beidler for endorsement on the basis of an email she sent expressing disappointment that the Caucus had not endorsed any women, according to Caucus committee member Philip Arouca.

The committee then voted 27-7 to endorse Tack, Arouca said, despite the fact that about 300 of the participating 500 caucus members voted "no" on the basis of a purported legal opinion that determined the organizations bylaws were "non-binding."

Following the meeting, Caucus officials falsely claimed that Beidler "actively encouraged people to reject Dr. Tack."

According to campaign finance records, Beidler's campaign committee has received more than $96,000 in contributions in 2023 so far, with about $70,000 coming from her and her immediate family.

Tack's committee reported more than $106,000 in in-kind contributions, including television ads, direct mail and campaign consulting.

Meanwhile, the Lake Forest Caucus political action committee received nearly $83,000 this quarter and spent more than $135,000, according to its first quarter financial report, which was filed Saturday, the first day of filing, in what caucus officials on Sunday described as the "spirit of acting with transparency and integrity."

The move came after the treasurer of Beidler's campaign filed a complaint with the Illinois State Board of Elections alleging that the Caucus had exceeded limits on contributions to Tack's committee. Representatives of the Caucus described the complaint as a misguiding misreading of campaign finance law.

Related: Beidler Campaign Files Complaint Against Lake Forest Caucus Over Tack

The Tack campaign has highlighted Beidler's own history of campaign donations, which include nearly $1 million in contributions to Democratic candidates and causes since 1986.

“Beidler has given significant campaign contributions to politicians who are putting criminals back on the streets," Ben Wallace, a spokesperson for Tack's campaign, said last month in a statement. "From Lake Forest State’s Attorney Eric Rinehart, Cook County State’s Attorney Kim Foxx, and former Mayor Lori Lightfoot. The list goes on. Let’s not turn Lake Forest into Chicago.”

Beidler responded to the criticism by pointing out that the Lake Forest Caucus has been among the organizations to benefit from her donations.

"I do not believe that partisan political contributions are relevant to the service I will give to you as your mayor," Beidler said in a statement last month. "I have been doing volunteer work on behalf of Lake Forest for the last 25 years, and other volunteer service in the community, such as service on boards and being an elder in my church, for longer than that. This is who I am. I give back, and have done so for many, many years. "

Beidler said she had given money to Democrats in Chicago and Cook County because her son, daughter-in-law and their two children are residents of the city.

"In recent years, my husband and I have become increasingly concerned about their safety and I had hoped that candidates I supported might be able to help reduce the rate of crime in Chicago," she said. "I have been deeply disappointed that this has not happened. We are so used to feeling safe in Lake Forest that we may almost take this aspect of our lives for granted. I can’t imagine living with the constant worry that Chicagoans do."

Tack and Beidler have also each racked up their own lists of endorsements among current and former local elected officials.

Tack has been endorsed by Mayor George Pandaleon, former Mayor Rob Lansing, 1st Ward Ald. Jed Morris, 3rd Ward Ald. Jim Preschlack, 4th Ward Ald. Eileen Weber, former 1st Ward Ald. Cathy Waldeck and former 4th Ward Ald. Michelle Moreno.

Beidler has been endorsed by 2nd Ward Ald. Melanie Rummel, 4th Ward Ald. Ray Buschmann, former 1st Ward Ald. Jennifer Karras, and Building Review Board member Sally Bartholomay Downey and Lake Forest Plan Commissioner Jamie Moorhead.

Hamann's campaign has focused on the city's pension liability, as well as concerns over tree removal.

"I live in Lake Forest, for the 'FOREST' environment, not to look at concrete," he said in response to a Patch candidate questionnaire. "I believe that the Lake Forest City Council should mandate that any trees REMOVED, in the BUSINESS DISTRICT, should be replaced, with another tree, within one growing season, or at least within a year."

Candidate profiles:

• Prue Beidler: Lake Forest Mayor Candidate Profile
• Paul Hamann: Lake Forest Mayor Candidate Profile
• Randy Tack: Lake Forest Mayor Candidate Profile

Video: Watch LWV Match 15 Lake Forest Mayor Candidate Forum »