Willey won't seek re-election in Elburn

After 14 years in public office in Elburn, James Willey will not seek re-election as village president during the general election in April.

Willey, 55, was elected to the board of trustees in 1995, and successfully ran for president against the incumbent in 1997. He was re-elected in 2001 and 2005.

Willey said several life changing events have influenced his decision. He changed careers in January of 2006 and began working in Chicago, his twin sons graduated from college in 2006, and his wife, Cathy, died of a massive stroke in July of that year after battling multiple myeloma.

"I promised Cathy that my third term would be my last, and I'm going to keep that promise," Willey said. "It's time to move on."

After practicing dentistry for 26 years in Elburn, Willey began working for the American Dental Association in Chicago, a job he says is becoming more demanding.

"It's becoming harder to balance the demands of my job with my duties as mayor," Willey said. "My job with the ADA has been a wonderful opportunity; I work on national issues."

Willey will be able to spend more time in his Chicago condominium without having to be in Elburn for Monday night board meetings, but he still spends weekends in Elburn.

Regarding his tenure, Willey said he considers his two biggest accomplishments to be getting all traces of radium out of the water, and bringing a Metra station to Elburn, a project started by a predecessor.

"Now we have the tremendous opportunity to build transit area housing," Willey said, referring to plans by Geneva-based Shodeen Inc. to build a housing development near the Metra station.

He said he is disappointed that he wasn't able to bring a quiet railroad zone to Elburn, as some residents balked at the construction of 100-foot medians at the railroad crossings, and village trustees considered the cost too high.

Willey said his love for Elburn has not diminished.

"I have no plans to move out of Elburn," Willey said. "I love Elburn, and I hope we've set the stage for good things to come."