Country Club Hills to elect first new mayor in 27 years

COUNTRY CLUB HILLS, Ill. (WLS) -- Five candidates are running for mayor in south suburban Country Club Hills. It will be the first time in 27 years that the town's voters will be electing a new mayor.

It's been a long time since Country Club Hills residents have seen so many yard signs for a mayor's race. Facing a new term limit rule, Mayor Dwight Welch is retiring after 27 years in office.

His long tenure has been clouded with controversy, including several accusations of money mismanagement at the expense of the taxpayers. Now, five people want Welch's job, including the only female in the race, Ald. Lisa Evans. She's determined to change this south suburb's image.

"We are going to go through a rebranding process and sheds that negativity that has been associated with us and make sure that anytime Country Club Hills is mentioned, it's positively," Ald. Evans said.

Ald. Evans is one of four aldermen running. While she is trying to shed the negatives of the past, Ald. James Ford says he is embracing some of the positives from the past. He's been endorsed by Mayor Welch.

"In some cases it's going to help, in other cases it might hurt. But I was willing to take the opportunity to receive his endorsement because he has done a lot of good things for the city of Country Club Hills," Ald. Ford said.

Ford says that includes bringing Walmart and a Lowes movie theater to Country Club Hills. But Ald. Anthony Davis says much more development needs to be done.

"The biggest priority is finding out if we're going to get that outlet mall and a grocery store in here," Ald. Davis said.

All candidates say something must be done to make sure this outdoor theater makes money. Built under Welch's leadership, the theater has lost money and is costing taxpayers millions.

"When I become mayor May 1, I will put it out for public/private partnership, the theater is funded by taxpayers it should never have been," Ald. Vincent Lockett said.

The only non-city council candidate running for mayor is Sherman Williams. He was unavailable for an interview on Tuesday.

Voters head to polls on April 7. Whoever wins will become Country Club Hills' first African American mayor.