Lake County's hot political races about to be decided

In Libertyville, Mayor Jeff Harger became edgy after his challenger disputed claims about how the village attracted 100 new businesses last year.

Up in Gurnee, one of the mayoral candidates is involved in a federal lawsuit against the village, claiming police department politics led to his arrest in 2007.

Libertyville and Gurnee are just two of the places in Lake County with hot races that'll be decided by voters in Tuesday's election. Following is a sampling of the lively political activity.

• Terry Weppler is trying to end Harger's four-year run as Libertyville's mayor. Weppler has hammered at the incumbent on a variety of issues.

Citing village records obtained through the Freedom of Information Act during the campaign, Weppler disputed a report published by Harger that stated 100 new business were created in Libertyville in 2008. Weppler said, at best, the figure is 68.

Harger responded he didn't want to debate Weppler and said the challenger's dispute was designed to get under his skin. He defended the 100-business figure, saying it was an approximation and included relocations.

• Gurnee Mayor Kristina Kovarik is seeking re-election for another four-year term and must fend off Trustee Greg Garner and resident Anthony "Tony" Maniscalco.

Maniscalco filed a federal suit against the village, Police Chief Robert Jones and others early this year, claiming his arrest after a fast-food restaurant visit was retaliation for wanting former mayor Richard Welton to run for trustee in 2007. He was acquitted on charges of driving under the influence of alcohol, battery and disorderly conduct in Lake County court last December.

If elected mayor, Maniscalco said he wouldn't reappoint Jones, while Garner said he'd want to study the police department. Kovarik supports Jones.

• Interest is high in the Lake Zurich mayoral race, which doesn't lack issues and drew 150 spectators to a recent candidates forum.

Mayor John Tolomei is challenged by village board Trustee Suzanne Branding and resident Scott Unger.

One top issue has been how best to get Lake Zurich's long-stalled downtown redevelopment moving.

• It's just an advisory question on all Lake County ballots, but voters will get to weigh in on the controversial topic of extending Route 53 north from where it stops at Lake-Cook Road

County officials say the results will guide them on determining whether to pursue the project with lawmakers and transportation agencies. Route 53 proponents say an extension north to Route 120 would ease congestion.

However, opponents say Tuesday's advisory referendum doesn't place the proposal into any environmental or economic context.

• Wauconda's village board trustee candidate Mark Kwasigroch received some criticism when he said Spanish-speaking residents "need to learn how to read English" if they're living in the village.

Kwasigroch responded to rival trustee candidate Lincoln Knight's suggestion the village publish its quarterly newsletter in Spanish to reach the Hispanic population. Knight, an incumbent, offered the idea during a Daily Herald group interview.

Elaborating, Kwasigroch said it's unnecessary for U.S. communities to spend extra money to communicate in languages other than English.

Six candidates are seeking three, 4-year trustee seats. Knight, Kwasigroch, John Barbini, Danielle Zimmermann, Pamela Wahl and incumbent Cathy Scott are on the ballot.

Kwasigroch was criticized for his remarks by Barbini, running with Knight and Wahl on the Wauconda United slate headed by mayoral candidate and current Trustee Mark Knigge. Scott and Zimmermann supported Kwasigroch, all of whom are on the Wauconda First slate with Mayor Salvatore Saccomanno.

Thomas F. Larkin and Roger Wojcicki are the independent mayoral candidates.