Pumpkin patch's fate at center of Homer Glen mayoral race

HOMER GLEN, Ill. (WLS) -- Pumpkins are at the center of an increasingly ugly mayor's race in southwest suburban Homer Glen.

Some say the mayor isn't doing enough to keep a large family-run pumpkin patch that's delighted kids for decades from leaving town.

"I've never done anything political before and I kind of liked it that way," said Dave Bengtson of Bengtson's Pumpkin Farm.

For 35 years, Bengtson's Pumpkin Farm has been a pre-Halloween hot spot. Now, this family says their farm is threatened. They've dressed up their famous cow with political signs in an effort to oust Homer Glen's mayor.

"The mayor has made the statement there's gonna be the best Bengtson Pumpkin Fest here ever after we leave. So I guess it'll be what it'll be," Bengtson said.

"I have no idea how I'm caught in the middle of this," said Jim Daley, the mayor of Homer Glen.

The land the Bengtsons have leased for decades went into foreclosure. They've made several offers to buy the land, but they say the bank wanted more. That's when Homer Glen's mayor took a meeting with real estate investors willing to pay; but they also want to jack-up the Bengtsons' rent.

"This is a business in your community and you're the mayor. Why would you do that? Why would you hurt these people?" said George Yukich, Homer Glen trustee and candidate for mayor.

"I wish the Bengtsons all the best in the world. I understand they have property out of town that they wish to move to and that's their choice," Daley said. "I would love to see 'em stay here except Bengtson never once reached out to the mayor of Homer Glen, not once was there a phone call to me."

"I'm not staying here," Bengtson said. "I believe he has an ego that doesn't let the two of us be here, us be in town with him."

The potential new buyers insist they're not interested in politics. They say they're just real estate guys who see a golden opportunity to own a piece of a highly profitable pumpkin patch.