Mount Prospect mayor running for another term

Mount Prospect Mayor Irvana Wilks will run again next year for the village's top spot, after one term under her belt.

In a statement, Wilks said she wants to continue working on major projects such as the redevelopment of Randhurst Shopping Center into what's called a lifestyle center, named Randhurst Village.

Developers have proposed to gut the main mall, leaving the anchors. Business offices, retail shops and residential units would then be added with a projected opening date in 2010. The board is expected to vote on the project later this month.

The construction of Levee 37 along the Des Plaines River is another project Wilks hopes to oversee, she said. The project is expected to protect 600 residents and businesses in Mount Prospect and Prospect Heights from flooding.

Also, the village has been working on developing the downtown area.

Northbrook developer John D. Heimbaugh expects to build more than 1,000 condominiums and between 30,000 and 40,000 square feet of retail and restaurant space.

The development area is locally called the small triangle and is bounded by Northwest Highway, Route 83 and Willie Street.

"For the future, I will strive to see that the financial health of the government remains strong," Wilks said in a statement. "Although we have moved forward on Levee 37 and redevelopment efforts of the downtown and Randhurst, we are at critical junctures in seeing those becoming a reality."

Wilks could not be reached for further comment.

Wilks was elected in 2005 as mayor after serving as trustee since 1991. She replaced Mayor Gerald L. "Skip" Farley, who retired from elected office after four terms as mayor and 27 years of service to Mount Prospect. During the election, she won 50 percent of the vote against opponents Scott Stassen and Ernie Lasse.