Geils' hard-charging style may have led to his loss

In the 24 years John Geils led Bensenville with an iron fist, the village president had a hard-charging style of doing things his way without offering a lot of compromise or conciliatory words.

In the end, that may have led to his undoing.

Voters in a 2-to-1 ratio rejected Geils' quest Tuesday for a seventh term.

In a stunning upset, Frank Soto convinced a majority of local folks he's the change Bensenville needs to prosper. Nearly 46 percent of Bensenville voters cast a ballot, compared to about 20 percent countywide.

Soto, 43, savored his victory Wednesday while fielding congratulatory calls from U.S. Congressman Peter Roskam and state Rep. Dennis Reboletti and tending to his law practice before taking his kids on a weekend getaway.

After his term begins next month, Soto said getting an independent audit of the town's finances and holding an open house or fest to show his administration's openness to the public are at the top of his agenda.

Interestingly, voters ousted Geils but backed advisory questions against O'Hare expansion, of which Geils is the most vocal opponent.

Soto argued Geils lost touch with his community and squandered millions in legal fees for a losing battle rather than negotiate with Chicago to get money for schools and infrastructure. Geils criticized Soto for "throwing in the towel" and argued Chicago should not be allowed to destroy local homes and businesses for a southern runway until the city proves it can pay for the massive expansion.

Geils chastised Soto for accepting campaign help from Mayor Richard Daley's political operatives; Sotos called out Geils for taking big contributions from the law firms he hired to fight the expansion.

It's Geils' tough stance on the O'Hare issue that many say hurt him in the end. Several towns dropped out of the Suburban O'Hare Commission rather than pay fees for what leaders such as Wood Dale's Ken Johnson saw as a losing proposition.

"If you weren't as strong on the issue as he was, you were no longer trusted and thrown out of the inner circle," the Wood Dale mayor said. "He was so passionate for his community that it got to the point that he had blinders on and couldn't see the bigger picture and realize (expansion) is going to happen so try to get the best deal you can."

Another suburban leader known for her tenacity was former Warrenville Mayor Vivian Lund, who retired in 2005 after 20 years. She served as Geils' vice president when he led the DuPage Mayors and Managers Conference.

"I didn't always agree with his positions, but I really admired him," she said. "He was really offended when a lot of mayors didn't hang tough with him. I think he really became an outsider of the local government groups because all he could think about was the airport."

Geils, 58, was elected village president in 1985. Only Woodridge Mayor Bill Murphy, elected in 1981, has more tenure.

Geils secured millions in federal soundproofing dollars, oversaw ambitious community redevelopment and, more than a decade ago, actually convinced local taxing bodies to share funds for common village goals.

"He has devoted his whole life to Bensenville and sincerely loves this town," said Ray Basso, a former 14-year village trustee. "Sure, we butted heads at times, but I have nothing but total respect for him."

Added Rich Johnson, a park district commissioner and chamber of commerce president: "Whether you love him or hate him, I hope that people remember he always pushed to make Bensenville a better place to live and work."

One memorable time during Geils' tenure came in the late 1990s when he brought in a former assistant U.S. attorney to investigate allegations of corruption on the police force. The probe came after a 1998 FBI raid of a local bar, owned by Sgt. Joseph De Anda's family, turned up a small amount of cocaine and marijuana.

Several police officials quit or were fired.

De Anda later was acquitted of theft and official misconduct after being accused of stealing about $6,000 seized by police in drug and gambling arrests.

"He ruined people's careers and lives and for what?" said De Anda, a nearly 18-year decorated officer retired and living in Texas. "To satisfy his own ego."

In past elections, such as in 2001 when Geils won a write-in campaign during his first race against Soto, the DuPage County GOP Party got behind the village president. Though former Illinois Senate President James "Pate" Philip still endorsed Geils, the party stayed out of Tuesday's election - another sign his countywide support had eroded.

"Soto did what John wouldn't do," said Patrick Durante, the 35-year Addison Township Republican Party chairman. "He won it on a door-to-door campaign. That's how you have to campaign to get that extra vote."

Elk Grove Village President Craig Johnson also never abandoned the O'Hare fight, which with Geils' departure he is prepared to fight alone.

"Mayors invest a lot of themselves in the job and Geils gave 24 years of his life to Bensenville," he said. "I don't think his contributions will be fully appreciated until later. No one's perfect; over the years, you make enemies."

Geils declined to comment.