Mundelein trustee to challenge Lentz for mayor's office
A Mundelein trustee who upset some fellow village leaders last month with plans for community forums on how to stage public protests and assert one's rights when dealing with police will challenge incumbent Steve Lentz for the mayor's office next year.
Holly Kim, a first-term trustee, said in an announcement this weekend that she has received passionate support from residents during her time on the village board.
"The people have asked that everyone in our community be equally respected, included, and celebrated, regardless of our differences," she said. "The people have asked me to lead, and I am humbly answering their call."
Lentz, who is in his first term as mayor after serving four years as a village trustee, said Sunday he will be seeking a second term in the April 4, 2017, election.
"Downtown redevelopment, more money for roads, and a business incentive plan ... Mundelein is moving forward, and I plan on running for re-election to keep the momentum going," he said in a written statement.
Kim, made her campaign official with an announcement at the Community Days festival on Saturday, then marched in the festival parade Sunday wearing a "Holly Kim for Mayor" T-shirt.
She drew criticism from fellow trustees and Lentz in June by announcing she would host three events this summer to teach residents how to protect their rights when dealing with police officers and how to throw a successful protest.
Lentz was critical of those events again Sunday.
"Holly Kim's anti-police forums have lost her the confidence of our entire police department and a large segment of our community," he said. "Without confidence and credibility, she can't lead, and this prevents her from ever effectively serving as mayor."
Kim, however, said last month the forums will help people be "well-mannered and respectful" when dealing with police, and she denied claims she was maligning police officers.
"People can know their rights without denying the hard work and efforts of the police," she said.