(WBBM NEWSRADIO) — The former mayor of a tiny northern suburb says he wants to keep his village "the gem" it is and will be facing a controversial write-in candidate in the April election: the current mayor.
When Jess Ray stepped down mayor of Mettawa in 2013, he was 69 and had been in office four years. He was looking forward to retirement. Among the successes he points to were starting the village's website, reducing expenses and providing garbage pick-up services.
About a year ago, he became engaged again, over a zoning issue. He says he tried unsuccessfully to get someone to run for mayor. Ray ended up running again, and he's listed as the only one on the ballot for mayor.
"Our national election probably played a role in people wanting to stay away from politics," he says.
Casey Urlacher is the incumbent. Last month, he was pardoned by outgoing President Donald Trump on federal charges of being an agent for an illegal gambling ring. Ray says Urlacher "dodged a huge bullet" in the case.
Last week, Urlacher made his intentions known he would run a write-in campaign to win a third term.
"When I talk to the voters about what the current situation is, they're embarrassed about the spotlight that's been put on us," Ray said.
Jess Ray says he wants Mettawa "to shine like the gem it is" and hopes residents agree.
"In politics, you never can predict the behavior of people. You just have to state your case and, in this particular case, this could come down to a question of our residents' moral compass."
There are about 550 residents of Mettawa. In 2017, according to the Lake County Clerk's website, a total of 255 people voted in the race for mayor. Urlacher won 193-62.
Urlacher — the brother of former Chicago Bears middle linebacker Brian Urlacher — has not responded to a request for an interview from WBBM Newsradio.
