Tatooles to seek fifth term as Inverness village president

Citing his desire to continue a path of financial soundness as the economic recovery inches along, Inverness Village President John “Jack” Tatooles said this week he’ll seek a fifth term.

A win would make the 69-year-old attorney, whose general law practice also is based in Inverness, one of the longest-serving mayors in the Northwest suburbs.

“We’re thriving right now in many ways, and I want to make sure we maintain that footing,” Tatooles said.

In addition to maintaining the village’s AAA bond rating and relatively low tax rate, Tatooles’ current 4-year term was marked by the village’s May 2009 launch of its own police force. Inverness officials opted to end their long-standing relationship with Barrington, which provided police coverage since the 1970s, to save more than $1 million over five years.

With Arlington Heights Mayor Arlene Mulder announcing her retirement after 20 years in the post, only seven-term Schaumburg Mayor Al Larson and six-term Streamwood Village President Billie Roth have more seniority in the Northwest suburbs. Elk Grove Mayor Craig Johnson was elected the same year as Tatooles.

Forming a slate — an unopposed one, thus far — with Tatooles are Inverness Trustees Richard Gallagher and Patricia Ledvina, seeking a fifth and third term respectively. Trustee Janice Stremel won’t run for a third term.

Joining them in Stremel’s place is certified financial planner Terry Kral, who’s lived in the village of about 7,400 people for 33 years. Kral sits on the village’s zoning board of appeals, regularly attends village board meetings and is active in the Inverness Community Association and Million Dollar Round Table organization.

Kral lauded the current board for its fiscal conservatism and said he’s passionate about preserving the village’s rural setting amid suburban sprawl.

“I want to maintain the soundness of the village, both economically and civically,” Kral said.