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Mayor & City Council Candidates

The Caucus Committee is pleased to re-endorse Mayor Stanford “Randy” Tack, Ward 1 Alderman Pete Clemens for his first full term, Ward 2 Alderman John Powers for his second term and Ward 4 Alderman Richard Walther for his second term. We are also pleased to endorse Nick Bothfeld as our proposed candidate for Ward 3 Alderman.

All four incumbent candidates have served the residents of Lake Forest with distinction since taking office. The Caucus Committee feels they will continue to ably serve the community over the next two years and the Committee asks residents of Lake Forest to join us in support of these candidates.  For Nick, we believe his skills, experience, and knowledge best position him to serve the residents of Lake Forest and help lead our community.

Learn more about the candidates below and you will have the opportunity to meet all of these candidates on October 29, between 7-9pm at Gorton Center.

Dr. Stanford “Randy” Tack

Mayor Dr. Stanford “Randy” Tack was sworn into office on Monday, May 1, 2023. Dr. Tack earned a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Illinois and attended the University of Illinois College of Medicine. Dr. Tack graduated with honors and completed his residency at the University of Illinois in Orthopedic Surgery. While in residency, he was recruited by Lake Forest Orthopedics and specialized in Spine Surgery, prompting a fellowship at Rush Medical Center. He moved to Lake Forest upon completion of his fellowship.

Dr. Tack was founding board member of the Illinois Bone and Joint Institute. He was appointed Vice President of the Midwest Orthopedic Network and managing partner at the Illinois Bone and Joint Institute. Dr. Tack also served as President of the Lake Forest Club.

Dr. Tack was elected as a Third Ward Alderman in 2011, serving multiple terms from 2012-2018. While Alderman, Dr. Tack served as the Chairman of the Public Works Committee and Fire Services Committee. From 2021-2022, he also served as Chair of the Central Business District Working Group.

Pete Clemens

Pete Clemens is a 30-year resident of Lake Forest and has lived in three of the City’s four Wards. Pete grew up in Minneapolis, MN and moved to Lake Forest following graduation from University of Minnesota, Carlson School of Business with a Bachelor of Science business degree in 1971. Pete joined American Hospital Supply and moved to Lake Forest following graduation.

Pete had a successful career in healthcare as a senior manager at American Hospital Supply, Baxter International, Becton-Dickinson and Company, Dade-Behring, Inc and BioGenex Laboratories. After some time on the West Coast, Pete, his wife Nancy and young son Chase moved back to Lake Forest in 1993. Pete was an Assistant Scoutmaster for Lake Forest Troop 46 where he was an Eagle Scout mentor and the Fundraiser Chair. Pete also co-chaired a major capital campaign for St. James Church and served as Church Council President. Pete has served on the Zoning Board of Appeals and also served on the LFHS Foundation Executive Committee as Vice-Chair for the Business Incubator Program. He serves on the Environmental Sustainability Committee.

John Powers

John grew up in Lake Bluff, IL and attended the School of St. Mary in Lake Forest prior to attending St. Mary Central High School in Neenah, WI. John moved to Lake Forest with his wife Robin in 1995. He graduated with a BA in Economics from the University of Missouri-Columbia and received an MBA from Lake Forest Graduate School of Management in 2000. John and Robin have a daughter and a son, both attended St. Mary’s and Lake Forest High School. John began his sales career in 1988 working for Scott Paper Company.

Over the past 35 years he has held numerous executive positions in both public and private companies in the fields of distribution, logistics, business development, marketing supply chain, private equity and currently as Director, National Accounts at Abbott Diabetes Care. John served on numerous committees at both the church and school of St. Mary, as a Ward 2 Member of the Lake Forest Caucus, an executive member of the Friends of Lake Forest Parks and Recreation Board, a trustee of Lake Forest Community High School District 115 and a board member at Cristo Rey St. Martin College Prep High School in Waukegan, IL.

Richard Walther

Richard is a 17-year resident of Lake Forest who has served in various volunteer community roles, including as a member of the Lake Forest Building Review Board (BRB) 2018 to 2023, member of the 2018-2022 Strategic Planning Committee, Deer Path Road Streetscape Committee, and Route 60 Corridor – Vision for the Future Committee. Rich is a licensed structural engineer who specializes in the evaluation and repair of bridges, infrastructure, and buildings. After earning Bachelor and Master of Science degrees in Civil Engineering from Purdue University, Rich joined the firm of Wiss, Janney, Elstner Associates, Inc. (WJE) where he has recently completed his 34th year of employment and is now retired.

Rich and his wife, Leanna, have been married 29 years and have two adult sons, both of whom attended Lake Forest public schools. Both sons earned their Eagle Scout Award from the Boy Scouts of America (BSA). Rich, a fervent advocate of Servant Leadership, also thrived within the BSA programs serving as Cubmaster for Pack 148 (Everett School) and Scoutmaster for Troop 46 (First Presbyterian Church). In these roles, Rich guided more than 90 youth to complete their Eagle Scout Award and values the positive contributions these young men made to our community. He currently serves on the Public Works Committee.

Nick Bothfeld

Nick Bothfeld has been a proud resident of Lake Forest for nearly 30 years, with deep family ties to the community through his wife and her generations-long history in the area. Lake Forest has been an ideal place for Nick and his wife to raise their two children, who are now grown.

Nick has dedicated much of his time to serving the community in various leadership roles. He has been actively involved with the Lake Forest Caucus for many years, and has held the positions of treasurer and president at the Winter Club. His extensive experience also includes serving as treasurer and board chair at the Brushwood Center at Ryerson Woods, treasurer of the Alliance for the Great Lakes, and member of the finance committee for the Huron Mountain Club in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. Currently, Nick is vice chair on the Gorton Center board, further reflecting his long-standing commitment to Lake Forest.

Nick’s academic achievements include graduating magna cum laude from Harvard College and earning an MBA from the University of Chicago. He runs Bothfeld Financial Partners, a Lake Forest-based financial planning and investment advisory firm. Outside of work, Nick enjoys outdoor activities like hiking, biking, and fishing in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, and he has a passion for travel, especially birding trips with his wife.

Caucus 2024-25 Officers

After careful consideration and deliberation, the Caucus Executive Committee unanimously recommended the Officers (below) to lead the Caucus in 2024-25. This was overwhelmingly confirmed by the full Caucus Committee on April 11. Our Caucus must have leadership to fulfill its mission.
  • Joe Oriti, President
  • Regina Etherton, Vice President
  • Dale Tauke, Secretary
  • Fred Brewer, Treasurer
  • Jennifer McGregor, Fundraising
  • Mark Pickett, External Communications
  • Jason Akemann, Internal Communications

Only one current Caucus Committee member who is eligible to be President in 2024-25 per Caucus Bylaws is willing to serve. This person is also the most qualified. The other Officers all have the requisite skills, experience, and willingness to effectively execute their roles. Lacking clear direction in the Bylaws on how to proceed after the Spring Meeting, the Caucus Committee decided these Committee members will best lead the Caucus in 2024-25 to sustain its mission.

Over the last five years, the Caucus Committee has recommended over a hundred volunteers who capably served (and are capably serving) Lake Forest. All our candidates for elected positions have been decisively elected, and re-elected, by Lake Forest residents. The hard work of these volunteers has helped make Lake Forest the best run city in Illinois with extraordinary resident satisfaction as confirmed by a recent city survey. This tremendous success is achieved by effective Caucus leadership, and the contributions from 43 elected Caucus Committee members.

The Caucus Officer team is committed to lead the Caucus Committee forward to do the work which has served Lake Forest well for over 90 years: recruit, interview, and recommend highly qualified Lake Forest residents to serve, without personal agenda, bias or politics, on city and school board elected offices and city appointed governmental boards and commissions.

Please join me in supporting this highly qualified and dedicated 2024-25 Caucus Officer team.

Christopher Benes
President, Lake Forest Caucus

2024 Caucus Committee Candidates

We are pleased to announce the candidates for the 2024-25 Lake Forest Caucus Committee. Ballots will arrive via mail the third week of March, and must be postmarked by April 2. Information about the candidates is available on the website.

Caucus Community Event – March 9

Saturday, March 9, 2024
8:30am-10:30am at Gorton Center

You are invited to meet and talk with Caucus Committee candidates and current Caucus Committee members on Saturday, March 9th from 8:30am to 10:30am at Gorton Center. Learn more about Caucus Committee activities, including our School Board Search, and provide welcome feedback.

Please join us in this casual setting to mingle over coffee and donuts. Caucus Committee candidates from all 4 Wards will be present during these times:

  • Candidates from Wards 1 and 2: 8:30am – 9:30am
  • Candidates from Wards 3 and 4: 9:30am – 10:30am

Look for the Caucus Committee ballot mailing, called the Caucus Connection, in your mail in the second week of March! Please VOTE and return your choices for Caucus Committee members postmarked by April 2nd.

We hope to see you on March 9th!

2024 Spring Meeting

Tuesday, April 2, 2024
7-8pm at Gorton Center

Agenda

  • President’s Report – Chris Benes, Caucus President, will present an update on Caucus Committee activities, including City Boards and Commissions appointment recommendations.
  • Treasurer’s Report – Fred Brewer, Caucus Treasurer, will provide an update on the financial condition of the Caucus.
  • 2024-25 Caucus Officer Slate election. To vote, bring a IL driver’s license or IL state issued ID to demonstrate Lake Forest residency.

Caucus Preservation Act FAQ

What is the Caucus Preservation Act (“CPA”)?

The Caucus Preservation Act (“CPA”) is an amendment to the Caucus Bylaws to preserve the Caucus’ objective and transparent process that has made Lake Forest municipal government free from agenda-based politics for 90 years.

What is the Caucus process?

Lake Forest residents elect their Caucus Committee representatives to objectively find, vet, and recommend the most qualified, agenda-free volunteers to serve on city boards and commissions and elected positions including mayor, city council, and school board.

Can I still vote for my preferred candidates?

Yes, you can still vote for any candidate of your choice in any general election. You can still vote for Caucus members to represent your interests in the Caucus candidate selection process. You can still run as a candidate in any general election.

What is a general election?

An election in the spring governed by the Illinois State Board of Elections in which a Lake Forest registered voter can vote for any Lake Forest municipal government (city council or mayor) or school board candidate, Caucus endorsed or otherwise.

Why act now to preserve the Caucus?

Typically, less than 1% of Lake Forest registered voters attend a Caucus annual meeting. Self-serving individuals can exploit a small turnout to adversely influence our elections to serve their own agenda, thereby undermining the Caucus mission.

Does this mean the Caucus will never hold a public vote on a matter?

No. The elected representatives on the Caucus Committee can hold a public vote on any matter as and when necessary to best serve the residents of Lake Forest and support the Caucus process.

Who benefits from the CPA?

Every resident in Lake Forest.

What if we don’t act now to preserve the Caucus?

The effectiveness of Lake Forest municipal government and school boards can be compromised by groups or individuals with self-serving agendas. This is one of the main risks the Caucus process mitigates.

What are other benefits of the CPA?

The CPA also allows the appointment of qualified Officers to lead the Caucus without disruption. Officers are appointed by Caucus Committee members who themselves are elected by the residents to represent their interests. Committee members know who among Committee members are the best qualified and experienced to support the Caucus mission as Officers.

Removes a Ward Chair’s service from counting against the 3-year term limit of serving as an Officer on the Executive Committee.

Allows for the Spring Meeting to be held in March or April to provide more flexibility in scheduling.

Where can I find the proposed Bylaw amendments?

The proposed Caucus Bylaw amendments can be found HERE.

When does the CPA start protecting the residents of Lake Forest?

After a ⅔ favorable vote at the Caucus Annual Meeting on November 7th, 2023 at Gorton Center.

Caucus Preservation Act

The Lake Forest Caucus mission is to find, vet, and recommend the best candidates to serve the City and its residents in our municipal government and school boards without personal or other pre-established agendas.

The Caucus Preservation Act (“CPA”) is an amendment to the Caucus Bylaws to preserve the Caucus’ objective and transparent process that has made Lake Forest municipal government free from agenda-based politics for 90 years.

As typically less than 1% of Lake Forest registered voters attend a Caucus Annual Meeting, individuals can exploit a small turnout to adversely influence our elections to serve their own agendas, thereby undermining the Caucus mission. The CPA shields the Caucus mission and process from such manipulative behavior.

Since Lake Forest residents vote for their Caucus Committee representatives, and also for their chosen candidate in a general election, a third, easily manipulated Caucus candidate ratification vote is not needed for residents to have sufficient opportunity to influence the election of their municipal government officials. Given the consistently very low turnout of residents for Caucus candidate ratification votes at a Caucus Annual Meeting, there is no reason to believe a vote at this meeting has been or will be representative of a large portion of the Lake Forest community.

The Caucus Committee operates on a short timeline to search for, vet, and recommend qualified candidates for elected positions. This timeline is dictated by the Illinois State Board of Elections. It is impractical to codify in its processes a timeline whereby a candidate search, vetting, and recommendation process must be repeated multiple times.

The Caucus process has served our community for 90 years as a primary driver for the quality of life we all enjoy in Lake Forest. Please support the Caucus in its mission to keep agendas out of Lake Forest municipal government. Vote in favor of the Caucus Preservation Act on November 7th at the Caucus’ Annual Meeting at the Gorton Center. The proposed Caucus Bylaw amendments can be found HERE.  Frequently Asked Questions about the CPA can be found HERE.  Please feel free to reach out to a Caucus Committee member with any questions.

Nov. 7, 2023 – Annual Meeting

Tuesday, November 7, 2023

Gorton Center

Vote from 4 to 8:30pm
Presentation from 6 to 7:15pm

Voting

Prior to consideration for adoption, recommended Bylaw amendment(s) shall be reported to Caucus membership.  Proposed Bylaw amendments found HERE.

Registered Lake Forest voters can approve or reject:

To vote:

  • Bring your ID to validate Lake Forest residency.
  • You must be a registered voter.

Presentation

  • President’s Report – Christopher Benes, Caucus President, will present an update on current Caucus Committee activities, including recruiting for City Boards and Commissions.
  • Treasurer’s Report – Fred Brewer, Caucus Treasurer, will provide an update on the financial condition of the Caucus.
  • City Council Candidate Introduction and Community Address

We look forward to seeing you on Tuesday!

Weber 2023 Term Summary

Chair – Civic Beautification Committee

  • Enforced the term limits of the Garden Club representatives to encourage fresh ideas and new input.
  • Assessed Deer Path Streetscape Project and provided feedback on the designs of Deer Path Road between Golf and 41.
  • Approved landscaping plan for the on and off ramps of 41 to provide a harmonious entrance and exit of our great City. Planting to begin fall of 2023.
  • Provide feedback on the Community Garden initiative from ESC and street corner landscape improvements in the Central Business District and North Croft Park Master Plan.
  • This committee has extensive community outreach through our four local Garden Clubs and the Lake Forest Historic Preservation Foundation.

Chair – Environmental Sustainability Committee

  • Prioritize the Committee’s initiatives such as community awareness through communications: partnering with summer camps (recycling campaign).
  • Reviewed solar panels on City owned buildings when infrastructure needs replacing.
  • Considered converting mowed areas of grass to natural areas where appropriate.
  • Researched and implemented a curbside composting program with WasteNot.
  • Currently accepting resident registrations, with marketing to schools and businesses.
  • Applaud staff as they include environmental components in public works projects.
  • This effort has become standard practice for our City and should be recognized.
  • With my horticulture background, I can provide leadership and directon on the development of a Community Garden in partnership with Elawa Farm Foundation.  We hope to bring this to fruition in 2024.

Public Works Committee

  • Provide real time feedback on parking upgrades at Elawa Farm and throughout the City’s Central Business District.
  • Review and assess City Storm Water upgrade projects to mitigate resident disturbances.
  • Engage in future planning of improved intersection work at Everett Rd. and Waukegan Rd.
  • Always keep the tax payer’s best interest in mind when spending dollars for infrastructure, building and fleet maintenance, and staffing numbers.

Finance Committee

  • Always prepared to discuss the Annual Operating Budget, Tax Levy Ordinance and Appropriation Ordinances. Review and approve funding for all operational priorities of the City, policies and procedures where applicable for the financial health of our City.

PPL Committee

  • Contributed to the purchase of the Joytime property by promoting fiscal responsibility and not overpaying for the site.

Community Engagement

  • I have attended many community events to show support such as the ribbon cutting at the renovated South Park, Dedication of “The Grove” at the West Lake Forest Train Station, the groundbreaking of “The Lawn” a short game practice area at Deer Path Golf Course, the Dedication of the Hughes Clubhouse and Kiely patio at DPGC, march in the Lake Forest Day parade, attend Police Foundation awards, ground breaking of Deer Path Community Park, dedication of Veteran’s Park, ribbon cutting of many local businesses, actively visit our local Library, Forest Park Beach and shop at local businesses.

Timely email and phones responses and follow-ups to residents inquiries on issues and/or requests

Prepared for and attend bi-weekly City Council meetings and all applicable committee meetings

Additional Community Involvement

  • Monthly floral design instructor at Elawa Farm, Junior Garden Club of Lake Forest: member of and Director at Large, member of the School of St. Mary Advisory Council, Kernal for BSA Pack 49, member of St. Genevieve Circle of the Guild of St. Mary, volunteer at the School of St. Mary, member of the Lake Forest-Lake Bluff Chamber of Commerce.

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Notz 2023 Term Summary

Finance Committee

Review and recommend funding for all operational priorities of the City, including but not limited to the Annual Operating Budget, Annual Appropriation Ordinance, Annual Tax Levy Ordinance, and other policies and procedures applicable to the financial health and systems of the City.

Highlights include two significant bond refinancings that had the City’s investment grade credit rating reaffirmed, helping the City continue providing high quality services to its residents as cost effectively as possible.

Public Works Committee

Works with City staff to provide guidance, oversight and recommendations to city council that concern maintaining and enhancing infrastructure, facilities and equipment, following the City’s Capital Improvement Program, Capital Equipment Program, existing ordinances and fiscal policies while minimizing disruption to residents and communicating with them.

Significant recent public works projects include stormwater mitigation across the City (particularly North Western Avenue and Deer Path Road), creating artificial turf playing fields behind Deer Path Middle School, stabilizing Forest Park Beach’s bluff, entering into expense sharing agreement with State of Illinois that allows the City to take better care of Route 60 and Waukegan Road during the Winter and maximizing grant programs to reduce City taxpayer burden of infrastructure costs.

Property and Public Land Committee

Assess City’s inventory of land, buildings and related improvements to determine whether enhancement, disposal or acquisition of public lands, buildings and other assets of the City is warranted, in a manner that serves the public interest, protects the health and safety of the community, enhances the quality of life, and preserves the character and traditions of community.

Highlights include the acquisition of the Joytime pre-school property, allowing the City to expand West Park while protecting integral underground infrastructure.

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