Endorsement: Lora Vitek for St. Charles mayor

In the April 1 election, St. Charles Mayor Lora Vitek is seeking a second term. She is the executive director of the Delta Dental Foundation of Illinois and has lived in St. Charles since 2012.

Challenger Clint Hull, a retired Kane County circuit court judge, was born and raised in St. Charles and served on the St. Charles Park District Board for eight years, including being its president.

Both candidates claim a love for their city and desire to serve.

“My passion and energy for St. Charles is off the charts,” Hull says in his candidate questionnaire. “Throughout my entire life, I have worked side by side with people, businesses, and charitable organizations who help our community in numerous ways.”

Vitek, who served as 4th Ward alderperson before being elected mayor, voices a similar view, saying, “The role of mayor is not about achieving a personal goal for me, but rather centered on making the city better.”

Vitek says she would like to build on successes of her first term. During her tenure, Vitek says, the city achieved a downtown occupancy rate of 95.7% and an industrial business occupancy rate of 97%, as well as reducing its debt obligation by $20 million. She points to new development on the city’s east side, including the Fox Haven Square project near Charlestowne Mall and nearby residential projects The Springs and Charlestowne Lakes. She says she increased community engagement by including residents as part of the Fox River Dam Task Force, the Pedestrian Bike Plan and as part of a parking study; she also held the first City Update in 2024 and made the city’s website more user-friendly.

Hull points to his extensive community involvement and volunteerism, having received the city’s Charlemagne Award in 2017 and TriCity Family Services’ Barth Award in 2018. He cites his 30-plus years of leadership and management experience in the public sector, serving as a chief judge leading Kane County’s court system of 550,000 residents; and as a first assistant state’s attorney. His experience working closely with law enforcement throughout his career would be an advantage, he says. During COVID, Hull spearheaded transitioning 26 in-person courtrooms into a fully remote court system. “My leadership style will focus on bringing the city council together so that, unlike now, all 10 alderpersons have a voice and are heard,” he adds.

Hull’s resume and record of leadership and service are impressive, and he would be a fine candidate for any office, but Vitek has been successful in her first term as mayor and in our view, she deserves another. Vitek is endorsed.