Village Board Candidates Sound Off On Priorities Ahead Of Election

LIBERTYVILLE, IL — Five candidates are vying for three open seats on the Libertyville Village Board this spring.

Incumbents Katherine "Casey" Rooney and Matthew Krummick will be challenged by newcomers Patrick Scheibler, Kara Macdonald and Andrew Herrmann. Current trustee Matthew Hickey is running in the village's mayoral race this year, which means his seat is also up for grabs.

Voters will head to the polls on April 1 to make their picks in this year's local election, which features village board, township board, school board and mayoral races.

Libertyville Village Board Trustee Candidates Sound Off

The five candidates hoping to secure one of three open seats on the Libertyville Village Board this spring election sounded off on various issues leading up to this spring election.

Scheibler, a pharmaceutical sales director whose sister, Kathleen O’Connor, is the Libertyville Township supervisor, said the village's most serious issue is continuing to maintain a "balance of thoughtful growth and neighborhood integrity."

"I grew up in this town, chose to raise my own children here, and it’s a point of pride that so many people who also grew up in Libertyville are able to make this their home and raise their own families here. It’s rewarding to see that the generation that came before mine is also able to retire here, both for financial reasons and from a housing option perspective," he said.

He said there is a concern "that unchecked housing growth and density will adversely affect the character of the community." The village, he said, should be proactive to ensure that growth is "managed thoughtfully."

"This includes implementing policies that promote sustainable development and maintaining the unique character of the neighborhoods. Engaging with the community to gather input and feedback on development plans is crucial," Scheibler said. "Additionally, the board should consider creating incentives for developers to build diverse housing options."

• Libertyville Village Board: Patrick Scheibler Candidate Questionnaire
  

Rooney, who has been a village board trustee since 2023, said the village must monitor issues that arise that could impact the village's budget as all "municipalities in Illinois continue to face uncertainty when it comes to any funds received from the state," according to her candidate profile on the Daily Herald.

"Strategically planning our spending and maintaining flexibility in planned infrastructure projects becomes increasingly important to ensure that the village can adapt to an ever-changing economic environment," Rooney said in the questionnaire.

Balancing future growth possibilities is also important while working to preserve "elements that make our town special," she said.

• Rooney's full candidate profile can be found on the Daily Herald
  

Macdonald, who has worked in human resources for 30 years, said the top issue she's hearing that is a problem for Libertyville residents is the lack of effective engagement with village officials and residents. She said some have told her they've reached out to the current mayor and trustees and received no response at all.

She said others have said there's been too many roadblocks for others who try and fix issues, and they've given up on trying to communicate with village officials.

"As trustee I will improve engagement with residents by holding ourselves and village administrators accountable for thoroughly responding to every resident issue," Macdonald said. "Also, I will find ways to make collaboration with the Village more efficient, particularly by proactively listening to what residents need and acting in their (and the village’s) best interests."

• Libertyville Village Board: Kara Macdonald Candidate Questionnaire
  

Krummick, in his candidate profile posted on the Daily Herald, said the number one issue for the village right now is "financially related."

"While our village has been an excellent steward of tax dollars, as represented by our low municipal tax level compared to other municipalities across the Chicago area, each year Springfield wrecks havoc with our expenses," said Krummick, who has served on the Libertyville Village Board since 2021. "This comes in the form numerous unfounded mandates that the General Assembly passes each year. These regulations imposed on our municipality and others create burdens that must be paid for directly by the municipality without a corroborating offset from the state."

• Krummick's full candidate profile can be found on the Daily Herald
  

Hermann, a small business owner and a commissioner on the Economic Development Commission, said he is looking to "give back to the community" where he has been a lifelong resident and that "has shaped hi life," according to his website. Hermann said he has a "vision for thoughtful development" and is "dedicated to ensuring that Libertyville continues to thrive and remains the capital of Lake County."

• More information on Hermann can be found on the Clear Choice Libertyville website and Facebook page