Grayslake mayor says he won’t seek a fifth term and supports veteran village trustee as successor

Grayslake Mayor Rhett Taylor announced Friday he will not seek a fifth term and will be retiring from local government.

“I have enjoyed every day of my time in the office,” he said. “I will be forever grateful to Grayslake for granting me this unique and wonderful opportunity.”

Taylor was a village trustee for six years before being elected mayor in 2009. He said he has served with 13 different village trustees in that role, including Elizabeth Davies, who he endorsed as his successor.

Davies separately announced her intention to run for mayor in the April 1, 2025 municipal election, saying she has a passion for serving the community and a vision for Grayslake's continued success and growth.

“Our town has a rich history and a strong sense of community and I believe we are at a moment where we can honor that small-town charm while strategically expanding on the successes that have made Grayslake a great place to live,” she said in a press release.

She said the campaign will focus on community involvement, transparency and ensuring all are heard.

Taylor worked in the medical diagnostic industry for 20 years until 2011 when he shifted to the pharmaceutical development industry in research and development quality assurance.

During the last 16 years, Taylor said he worked in partnership with trustees to deliver balanced budget and maintain the village’s debt-free status.

Other achievements include investments in the Town Center to increase activity in the downtown business district and expanding open space by creating Gelatin Park and Center Street Nature Walk.

In the bigger picture, the Central Range property on the south side of the village has been opened to “significant economic development,” according to Taylor.

He added that a fully redundant water system was established so the village will never be without fresh water.

Davies, a high school math teacher, has been a village trustee since 2014 and has an understanding of village finances and inner workings of local government, Taylor said in endorsing her.

“On Day 1, she will bring more local government experience to the village board than many of our previous mayors,” he said.

Davies on her campaign page says she will support downtown, promote open space and focus on diversifying the tax base.

Nov. 12 is the first day to file nominating petitions for local offices and Nov. 18 the last day.