Schaumburg’s Mayor Dailly announces bid for third term

Schaumburg Mayor Tom Dailly announced Wednesday he will seek a third term next April.

“For the past seven years, I have held this position working hard to provide the leadership to ensure this village runs as efficiently and financial responsible as possible,” he said in his announcement. “When I first ran for mayor I promised to decrease property taxes, reduce the amount of time it takes to fix residential streets and hire a more diverse work staff that more reflects the 21st century makeup of the community. I kept those promises.”

Dailly is the sixth mayor of the 70-year-old village. He succeeded Al Larson’s eight terms in 2019 by defeating fellow hopefuls Nafees Rahman and Matthew Steward. His 2023 reelection bid was unopposed.

Dailly served as a village trustee for 20 years from 1989 before deciding not to seek reelection. Saying he felt reinvigorated, he accepted an appointment to fill a vacancy on the village board in September 2013 and was then reelected in 2015.

In his announcement, Dailly said he’s either reduced the village’s share of property taxes by 5% or kept it stable each year as mayor. Meanwhile, annual spending on local street repair was increased by $2 million and reduced the repair time from seven years to two.

He also touted an effort to make hiring for the police department and behind-the-counter staff at village hall reflective of the diverse makeup of Schaumburg’s population.

Dailly said his leadership during the pandemic kept Illinois’ second largest hub of economic activity viable. As well as having welcomed numerous new businesses in the past year, Schaumburg generates the third highest amount of sales tax in the state, has the third largest number of auto dealerships and benefits from 98% occupancy at Woodfield Mall, he said.

“Having a vibrant business climate brings revenue that pays for our schools, our library, our parks and our police and fire departments,” Dailly Said. “All without increasing property taxes on residents.”

The village clerk and three trustees whose current terms are also ending next April did not join Dailly in declaring their intentions about running again.

No challengers have announced plans to unseat Dailly.