Longtime Algonquin mayor to seek re-election

Having served as the leader of Algonquin for the last 14 years, John Schmitt believes he still has work to do.

The longtime village president is seeking re-election in April, hoping for the opportunity to carry out the village's efforts to improve transportation, infrastructure and the local economy.

"I never got elected just to get re-elected. I got elected to get things done," Schmitt said. "I'm going to run to make sure I have everything in place that will give Algonquin the financial future it deserves."

Schmitt was first appointed to the post after his predecessor, Ted Spella, passed away in 2002. Since then, he said, the village has strengthened the local economy and collaborated with the state, McHenry County and Kane County to push forward several major projects.

The Route 31 western bypass, for example, was completed in 2014, allowing motorists to bypass downtown Algonquin and making local roads less crowded.

Schmitt is an avid supporter of the ongoing Longmeadow Parkway project, a 5.6-mile road and toll bridge passing through parts of Algonquin, Carpentersville and Barrington Hills. Hoping the road will bring more industrial and commercial companies to the village, Schmitt said he has actively worked with Kane County to try to move the project along.

"I want to continue to shepherd that through," he said. "I'd like to see it completed."

Additionally, McHenry County has taken steps forward in a proposed Randall Road expansion project, which would widen the busy corridor in Algonquin and improve the intersection at Algonquin Road.

"We are in conference with many new businesses that are anxious to see those transportation initiatives," Schmitt said. "It's critically important to keep our businesses prospering and to give people a better commute than they currently have."

Algonquin is also in the midst of implementing a downtown plan to improve the streetscape, redevelop the area and make downtown more pedestrian friendly.

"We've got a very bright future," Schmitt said. "I just want to make sure those key components are continuing."