Mandel path clear to Lake County Board

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Updated: December 23, 2011 7:52PM

Highland Park City Council member Steve Mandel currently has a clear path to the Lake County Board as he was the only candidate to file for the newly created District 11 seat by last week’s petition deadline.

Mandel, who is serving his 5th term on the City Council, will appear on the Nov. 6, 2012, ballot as a Democrat.

When the ballot filing window closed Dec. 5, no Republican or third-party candidate had joined the race.

According to Lake Country Clerk Willard Helander, the Republican Central Committee can still appoint a candidate at its convention to challenge Mandel.

All nominating paperwork must be filed with the county by June 4.

The new 11th District includes most of Highland Park, all of Highwood and a small portion of Deerfield. The boundaries overlap the existing territory represented by Lake Country Board member Anne Flanigan Bassi’s 23rd District.

Mandel said he decided to run for the county position after Bassi’s surprise announcement that she would not seek re-election. Mandel also targets the countywide position because its issues motivated him to enter public service about 30 years ago.

“I got involved because of open space issues,” Mandel explained. “I bring a conservation approach to development and our communities.

“I’m exciting about the fact that (county board members) are also forest preserve commissioners,” he added. “It’s like being on the Park District board and City Council at the same time.”

On the City Council, Mandel serves as its liaison to Plan Commission and the Park District of Highland Park. He also is a member of the Solid Waste Agency of Lake County (SWALCO) Executive Board, leading local efforts to improve recycling programs.

He highlighted his successful push to convince County Board members to finance the purchase of additional forest preserve land, form a community partnership to enhance the Prairie Wolf Slough, and acquire 38 acres for the Skokie River Woods.

“I’ve had a good taste of the County,” he said.

Mandel has been endorsed by State Sen. Susan Garrett D-29, State Rep. Karen May, D-58, Highland Park Mayor Nancy Rotering, former Mayors Dan Pierce and Ray Geraci, the Highland Park City Council, Lake County Board member Michelle Feldman and former Lake County Board member Carol Spielman.

“I have wanted to serve on the Lake County Board for years and the timing is right to bring my environmental experience, my strong representations of residents’ concerns and my record of building business and community coalitions to a broader arena,” Mandel said. “I am humbled by the strong support and encouragement that I have received.”

If Mandel’s bid for the Lake Country Board is successful, his seat on the City Council would be vacated. Mayor Nancy Rotering and the Council would nominate and approve a resident to carry out the remaining five months on the term.