Endorsement: Chassee, Dettmann for West Chicago council

Having served as Ward 1 alderman for the past 13 years, incumbent Lori Chassee has solid leadership experience, which she put to use when the city was forced to quickly adapt during the pandemic. While she's had to make hard decisions over the past year, such as canceling some popular events, she cites working with various leaders to bring COVID-19 testing and vaccination resources to the city, providing assistance to local businesses and keeping the public informed in both English and Spanish as positives. She says communication, transparency and inclusivity are top priorities.

For Chassee, construction of a new water tower is the most critical infrastructure project to pursue. She would also like to revisit allowing recreational marijuana sales in the city. And she would like to develop a Business Incubator Program that would entice entrepreneurs to bring new businesses and pop-up shops to town. She's also interested in finding ways to make the city more walkable and adding more housing options that would appeal to millennials.

Challenger David W. Reynolds did not participate in the Daily Herald endorsement process.

Lori Chassee is endorsed for West Chicago Council Ward 1.

In the race for Ward 3, Christine Dettmann, the deputy assessor for Winfield Township, also makes a strong case for endorsement. Dettmann currently sits on the city's Plan Commission and Zoning Board of Appeals, which gives her an important perspective. She's a proponent of the city's strategic plan and would like to bring new businesses to the downtown area as well as create more ease of access and adequate parking. While she's a proponent of supporting small and big businesses as well as creating an IT hub in town, one business she would like to add is an adult day care facility.

Regarding the pandemic, Dettmann would push for the city to conduct a formal annual review, in coordination with first responders and health officials, to address issues of health, safety, testing, vaccinations, PPE and the coordination of information.

Ward 3 candidate Yuritzi Angeles is committed to promoting West Chicago as a great place to live and raise a family. She supports development of the former Cascade Drive-In land and help for small businesses that are hurting because of the pandemic.

But Dettmann has a richer level of direct experience with the issues facing the city. She is endorsed for Ward 3.