Streamwood trustee to challenge incumbent mayor

For the first time in 16 years, it appears Streamwood voters will have a choice on Election Day for village president.

Trustee Jason Speer Thursday morning announced he's been collecting signatures to challenge Village President Billie Roth in the April 7 election.

"I think change really needs to come from the top down," Speer said.

Speer, 33, said he only recently made the decision to run, encouraged by residents' complaints surrounding Roth's leadership. His candidacy marks the first time in 16 years Roth will have an opponent for village president.

Roth didn't return phone calls Thursday seeking comment.

Voters elected Speer as trustee in 2007. He's sparred with Roth, as he's suggested changes in how municipal business should be handled. He's sought to increase trustees' responsibility when it comes to overseeing village committees.

Under Streamwood's ordinances, the village president assumes the brunt of those responsibilities. Speer said he feels the village president has too much authority.

Speer said his suggestions have been ignored by Roth. Despite having but a single term under his belt, he said he's ready to run for Streamwood's top office.

"Right now, I've been very frustrated over (almost) two years trying to get things done with different ideas and just being cut off at every opportunity," Speer said.

Roth, a former trustee and clerk before becoming mayor in 1989, said earlier this year she would be open to changing the existing board-manager form of government if the board showed enough interest.

Speer is the vice president of Quality Float Works, a Schaumburg business which constructs metal components for water purification systems.

The candidates' filing period for the April election goes from Jan. 19 to Jan. 26.