Mundelein trustee hopefuls ID possible improvement projects

When it comes to prioritizing road repairs or other infrastructure improvements, the candidates for Mundelein's village board have different projects in mind.

Four candidates are seeking three seats with 4-year terms in the April 7 election: incumbents Ray Semple, Jim Nutschnig and Steve "Chip" Cancelli; and first-time candidate Steve Lentz.

The candidates talked about possible improvement projects in questionnaires for the Daily Herald.

A fifth candidate, incumbent Trustee Robin Meier, is running unopposed for a 2-year term. She was not interviewed because she's running unopposed.

Lentz pointed to the intersection of routes 60 and 83 on the village's southwest side as particularly being in need of improvement. Although controlled by the Illinois Department of Transportation, state-funded improvements aren't coming so the village should take the initiative, he said.

"Since this corner feeds into a major commercial area, this should receive some serious attention," he said.

Nutschnig said repairs are most needed in some of the village's older neighborhoods.

"The older the streets and sewers are, the more damage will occur over the years of use," he said. "Our public works department has helped tremendously in testing and confirming the areas with the most need."

Rather than choosing one project, Cancelli split the town into four geographic zones and said each needs different types of attention. For example, the village's south side should be considered for more office and commercial space, while a new corporate park and open space should be pursued on the north side of town along Route 83 and Peterson Road.

Semple is especially concerned about the subdivisions that have concrete roads, rather than asphalt.

"Concrete roads have turned out to be a big burden on the village and the residents that live in these areas, as the roads are very expensive to fix," he said. "These concrete roads need to be ripped up and replaced with black top."

The likely cost of such a project is expensive, however, Semple said, which means the village can't tackle it quickly.

Semple also said the village must continue the Seavey Ditch improvement plan to alleviate flooding during heavy rainstorms. That project has been ongoing for years.