Sean R. Stochl: 2025 candidate for Fox Lake village president

Bio

Office Sought: Fox Lake village president

City: Fox Lake

Age: 37

Occupation: College professor, driving school owner, commercial and residential real estate

Previous offices held: Previous zoning board member

Why are you running for this office? Is there a particular issue that motivates you? Also, what makes you the best candidate for the position?

I’m running for office because Fox Lake needs a fresh start! I love this town and bring bold, outside-the-box ideas to move forward. Our community has tremendous untapped potential, and I am driven to see Fox Lake thrive as the Heart of the Chain O' Lakes.

Development is my passion. We are blessed with a beautiful lakefront park, but creating and maintaining these spaces requires funding, manpower, and vision. Our leaders must champion a long-term plan connecting all our parks, enhancing recreation, and attracting tourism.

I believe I can lead these efforts. The Mineola property holds tremendous potential and integrating it with Lakefront Park is essential. Extending the park north then over Forest Avenue is a strategic move allowing for a Three Oaks type Development in Mineola Bay. We must prioritize smart investments to grow sustainably.

Fox Lake offers over 7,000 acres of diverse zoning opportunities, yet we lack recent ground-up development. It’s time for a forward-thinking approach with smart zoning and planning. I am ready to work, listen to the community, and lead Fox Lake toward a brighter, more prosperous future.

What is the most serious issue your community will face in coming years and how should leaders respond to it?

Fox Lake is at a critical crossroads. The most serious issue we face in the coming years is the loss of residential, business, and commercial development opportunities.

Undeveloped land and stalled progress have left Fox Lake trailing behind neighboring communities. Residents drive to other towns for entertainment, dining, and shopping taking their tax dollars with them. This weakens our local economy and limits our ability to reinvest in our community.

We need to grow our tax base now. Without development, infrastructure will age, parks will decline, and our Village will struggle to thrive. Elected leaders must act with vision and urgency. We must revitalize downtown, establish an entertainment district, and develop a tourism plan that celebrates Fox Lake as the Heart of the Chain O’ Lakes.

Our lakefronts and open development spaces hold tremendous potential, we can’t let it slip away. Fox Lake should be a destination, not a drive-through. It’s time to attract businesses, develop smart residential communities, and give families a reason to stay, spend, and invest. Bold growth minded leadership will unlock Fox Lake’s future.

How would you describe the state of your community's finances? What should be the top priorities for spending during the next few years? Are there areas of spending that need to be curtailed?

Fox Lake’s 2024 year-end audit revealed a half-million-dollar loss. Fox Lake and its budgetary and borrowing % is very close to its limit. In 2025, village revenues will likely see a significant boost due to increased property taxes. However, now more than ever, Fox Lake must focus on expanding its tax base to ensure long-term financial stability.

In the coming years, taxpayer dollars should be prioritized toward capital outlay for infrastructure and facilities, while also focusing on improving our roads and enhancing walkability throughout the community. This is the path to creating a stronger, more connected Fox Lake one that is built to thrive for generations to come.

What do you see as the most important infrastructure project you must address? Why and how should it be paid for? Conversely, during these uncertain economic times, what project(s) can be put on the back burner?

The most important infrastructure project facing Fox Lake is the replacement of lead service water lines feeding residents’ homes. Ensuring clean, safe water is a fundamental priority. We are currently moving into Phase 2 of this critical project, with Trotter and Associates overseeing Phase 1’s progress. My hope is that Trotter can again help Fox Lake secure IEPA Public Water Supply Loan Forgiveness to reduce the financial burden on residents as we advance through future phases.

Truthfully, Fox Lake can’t afford to put projects on the back burner. Years of deferred maintenance on village-owned buildings and facilities have left many in disrepair some nearing the point of being unusable. Ignoring these issues will only lead to greater costs down the road.

Our approach must balance progress with financial responsibility. We need to aggressively pursue grants, state funding, and loan forgiveness programs to ensure that critical water infrastructure and overdue building maintenance projects move forward without placing an unsustainable burden on taxpayers.

Describe your leadership style and explain how you think it will be effective in producing effective actions and decisions with your village board.

My leadership style is collaborative, solution-focused, and driven by action. I believe in bringing people together, listening to diverse perspectives, and fostering an environment where everyone feels heard and valued.

Open communication and transparency are key pillars of how I lead. Currently, our mayor emails all the trustees with a specific question and asks them “do not reply all!” We will not be conducting business that way.

I approach challenges with an outside-the-box mindset, always looking for creative and practical solutions. Fox Lake can’t afford to operate under a “this is how we’ve always done it” mentality. Fresh ideas and forward-thinking leadership will position our village for sustainable growth.

This approach will be effective with the village board and village administrator because I value teamwork and respect differing viewpoints, while keeping our shared goal in focus: improving Fox Lake for residents and businesses alike. I believe we can break through stagnation and create the thriving community Fox Lake deserves.

What’s one good idea you have to better the community that no one is talking about yet?

Fox Lake has a great track record of bringing out large crowds for events like concerts, the polar plunge, and the cardboard regatta. However, what we're missing is a true “Day-out or Night-out” experience. Imagine Nippersink Blvd. closed down from the train tracks all the way to the lakefront park, transforming into a weekend celebration with themed block parties. Picture fireman fights, outdoor activities, and a carnival, all while allowing people to flow freely between the lakefront and the business district. Fox Lake deserves a fresh, exciting feel, and this could be the perfect way to reimagine our community’s atmosphere!