Schwingbeck declares candidacy for Arlington Heights mayor

Arlington Heights Trustee Tom Schwingbeck has declared his candidacy for mayor — now the second person in town to show interest in the elected position held by Tom Hayes since 2013.

Schwingbeck’s announcement comes after Arlington Heights Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Jon Ridler formed an exploratory committee in March for a possible mayoral run.

Hayes hasn’t yet announced if he intends to seek a fourth term. He said he expects to make a decision early this summer.

The current mayor said Schwingbeck did “indicate to me he was going to run.”

Schwingbeck declined to answer questions Friday about his candidacy, referring back to a news release he sent late Thursday.

“Our village will be addressing many important issues and projects over the next several years, such as the development of the Arlington Park property, the Southern Corridor and International Plaza,” Schwingbeck wrote. “Our next mayor will need the experience, passion and full-time commitment to work collaboratively with our village board, our staff, local businesses and our residents in continuing to make our village an outstanding and welcoming community in which to live, work and raise a family. I am excited at the opportunity to lead our village as its next mayor.”

Schwingbeck, a village trustee since 2019, is president of RNM & Associates, a sales, metallurgical and consulting company. He previously spent four years on the zoning board of appeals. An Eagle Scout, he has been a Scoutmaster and committee member of Troop 32 and Assistant Cubmaster of Pack 129 in Arlington Heights. He and his wife, Renee, moved to town in 1988 and have two adult sons.

Candidates will begin circulating petitions in September, then must file those in December to get on the April 1, 2025, ballot.

Hayes has been unopposed the last two elections. He bested two other candidates to become mayor in 2013 after Arlene Mulder’s retirement.