Endorsement: McLeod for Hoffman Estates village president

Here’s the kind of mayor Bill McLeod has been for Hoffman Estates. Even before there was an inkling that Sears might consider abandoning its headquarters, McLeod saw it coming and got in front of the challenge. Because he did, he was able to engineer a new incentive package that kept Sears, and its jobs, here. It was no easy agreement. There were a lot of stakeholders with varied interests, but McLeod got it done. This has been typical of his leadership of Hoffman Estates. He’s been a visionary unafraid of the tough problems. He breathed life into the Sears Centre, creatively expanded the village fireworks show at a time many towns were pulling back, sees the potential of the proposed National Veterans Museum and more. Under his watch, Hoffman Estates has emerged from the shadows of its neighbors. He’s the current president of the Northwest Municipal Conference and active with the U.S. Conference of Mayors and the National League of Cities. His opponent, Trustee Ray Kincaid, is an amiable sort, and if the race were about which candidate is more naturally outgoing, he likely would have the edge. But when it comes to leadership, vision and fundamental smarts, McLeod wins on all those counts. He has our endorsement.