Gurnee, Libertyville mayors host first joint coffee session

Mayors from Gurnee and Libertyville are combining on their first casual coffee gathering Saturday to meet anyone with questions or comments about the towns.

Kristina Kovarik, who launched her "Coffee With the Mayor" program in Gurnee in 2007, will venture onto Terry Weppler's turf for the joint session from 10 a.m. to noon at Wildberry Pancakes and Cafe, 1783 N. Milwaukee Ave. in Libertyville. It'll be the first time Kovarik brings the coffee chatter to another town.

"Hopefully, some of my regulars come down to Libertyville and see what's happening," Kovarik said Friday.

Kovarik and Weppler are expected to be at a table near Wildberry's entrance. She said the effort makes sense because the villages border each other and visitors will have an opportunity to learn more about Libertyville and Gurnee.

Weppler, who doesn't host a similar coffee gathering in Libertyville, said he looks forward to Saturday's session with Kovarik.

"We talked about it, about getting together and meeting with people," said Weppler, who indicated he'll consider starting his own coffee gathering.

Other Lake County mayors are known to host programs in an effort to better connect with residents.

For example, Grayslake's Rhett Taylor has hosted "Coffee With the Mayor" at the village's heritage center and museum. Mundelein Mayor Steve Lentz has had a village trustee join him in a similar program that's been in village restaurants.

Kovarik's java outreach generally was at coffee shops and restaurants in Gurnee for eight years. It's on for all months except April, August and September.

In 2015, Kovarik started venturing to other businesses with the coffee, such as Ooh La La Boutique & Spa. She said it's been valuable to receive feedback from residents outside of village hall.

"If no one shows up to talk to me," she said. "I just shake hands and that propels the conversation."