Wilks marches to easy victory in Mount Prospect

Irvana Wilks doesn't intend to rest on her laurels now that Mount Prospect voters have granted her a second term as mayor.

With 100 percent of precincts unofficially counted, Wilks received 72 percent of the vote to handily defeat her opponents Patricia Bird, a business owner who received 12 percent of the vote, and retired businessman Ernie Lasse who received 16 percent.

"I've been able to get quite a bit done," said Wilks, who was first elected a village trustee in 1991 and became mayor in 2005, "but there's always more to do."

That includes major projects like the redevelopment of Randhurst Shopping Center which is being turned into a lifestyle center, called Randhurst Village.

"It's the only large retail reconstruction project that's actually going forward in this area and we're very happy that it's moving along," she said.

She also wants to continue to oversee the village's flood-control efforts.

Flooding is a "constant issue for folks who live next to the river," Wilks said.

Funding is in place and the village is moving forward on the construction of Levee 37 along the Des Plaines River, she said. Officials broke ground several weeks ago on the $26 million project which is expected to protect 600 residents and businesses in Mount Prospect and Prospect Heights from flooding.

Mount Prospect has plenty to boast about, including a balanced budget, said Wilks, but challenges remain during these difficult economic times. Those challenges include finding ways to provide residents with services - police, fire and public works - without subjecting them to excessive taxes.

"We have residents who are economically very fragile," she said. "It's important for government not to raise fees and taxes when people are really struggling."

Another issue underscoring the campaign had to do with developing a triangular strip of land in downtown Mount Prospect bounded by Northwest Highway, Route 83 and Wille Street. The stuttering economy derailed Northbrook developer John D. Heimbaugh's plans for the site which included condominiums and retail stores. That project is now on hold,

"We're at a standstill with respect to the small triangle downtown," said Wilks, who described the architectural designs for the Heimbaugh project as "beautiful." "I know people are concerned, but we did not give the developer any money."

The board approved the plans just as the condo market slumped and the developer was unable to secure financing. The triangle remains undeveloped as a result. Wilks says that she and the trustees will determine over the next few years how to address the area.

Lasse, who also ran for village president four years ago, had called the downtown redevelopment a "disaster from day one" and opposed a new community resource center planned for the village's south side. Bird, a political newcomer, also opposed the center which she said should be placed in the village hall to save expenses. Village officials said the center was an attempt to reach out to underserved Hispanic residents.

Wilks thanked her opponents for making her a better candidate and celebrated the victories of trustees Steven Polit and John Matuszak, both of whom she appointed.

"The voters saw the good job they were doing and said 'let's give them a full term,' " she said, adding she was blessed to have a good board who have their own particular interests and knowledge.

She also thanked the voters.

"I always tell voters I'm the mayor of the best people in the entire world," she said. "I have such a great feeling about the people I represent. They do me proud."