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Kelly Burke wants to serve another term as mayor of Evergreen Park.
However, Bill Lorenz, who served 27 years as the public works director for the village before retiring, has other plans. Lorenz is running against Burke for mayor in the upcoming general election on Tuesday, April 1.
Burke won her first term for mayor in 2021, becoming the first woman to lead the village. She was appointed as village trustee in 2019 by then Mayor Jim Sexton.
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Sexton said at her appointment as trustee that Burke brings vital experience to the village because she also was serving as the Democratic state representative of the 36th District at the time. The 36th District covers portions of Chicago’s Wrightwood neighborhood, Evergreen Park, Chicago Ridge, Oak Lawn, Palos Hills, Palos Hills and Worth.
Sexton retired after 20 years and endorsed Burke to become the new mayor. Sexton said that when he asked Burke to become a trustee it was not because he wanted her to succeed him.
“No, it just kind of developed on itself,” Sexton said at the time. “I’ve been thinking about this for a while. If Kelly gets an opportunity to become mayor, she will work hard for the people of the village.”
Burke said she would do just that and is now concentrating on being just mayor. She retired as a state rep to focus on her duties for the village. Her goal is to oversee development and new businesses for Evergreen Park. She also wants the village to be a place for families to settle in and to offer activities for all age groups.
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In regards to development, she pointed to the opening of the Subaru Evergreen Park dealership, 3101 W. 95th St., on Dec. 7, 2023 as a major event, which was an extension of Sexton’s plans.
“When Subaru came along it was a real boost,” Burke said during her State of the Village address in January.
The mayor also said it is imperative to save taxpayers money and applauded the fact that the village has eliminated vehicle stickers.
“We wanted to do this for a long time,” Burke said. “It saves our residents a lot of money.”
She mentioned during her State of the Village address that major renovations have taken place in Evergreen Park, including at Veterans Park at 97th Place and California.
Burke said that annual events held throughout the year are a plus for the community, including the Independence Day Parade, concerts and picnics in the park, and the emergence of a holiday event now called Santa’s Wonderland that also features a Reindog Parade. The parade was Burke’s idea.
The mayor said that 32 businesses opened in Evergreen Park in 2024 and looks forward to more of the same this year. She also said that public safety is a major prerogative and is thankful for the efforts of both the village’s police and fire departments.
Burke grew up in Chicago’s Wrightwood neighborhood but always had close ties to Evergreen Park. After graduating from St. Ignatius College Prep, she received a bachelor of arts degree from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and a J.D. from John Marshal Law School.
She became an attorney and got involved in the village by being elected to the Evergreen Park Library Board. She eventually became president of the board and led upgrades that took place at the library.
Burke and her husband, Terry, have three children, Emily, Jack and Caroline.
“I will always be available to talk through any issue with residents and really listen to their concerns,” Burke said. “I might not be able to solve every single problem a resident has, but I will listen to residents and work to help.”
Lorenz has lived in Evergreen Park for 60 years. He graduated from Evergreen Park Community High School in 1975. After high school, he began his career in the Evergreen Park Public Works Department.
He spent 16 years working in the water and sewer departments as a state certified laborer, operator, and water plant operator. Lorenz said the hard work led to a promotion where he served as the water and sewer foreman for a year before being promoted again to water commissioner.
Lorenz also became a state certified plumbing inspector for four years. That led to his long career as director of public works. During his tenure, Lorenz was also a state certified firefighter, fire engineer and paramedic for Evergreen Park, retiring from this position in 1993.
Lorenz said that with 20 years of experience in the village’s building department, he is no stranger to large infrastructure projects. He added that he knows who to call, what to pay, and when it should be done.
He also believes that his 47 years of experience serving the village provides the experience necessary to tackle the current issues facing the community. He has been married to his wife, Linda, for 40 years and they have a son, Loren.
“We believe the safety of our community should always take priority,” Lorenz said, insisting that he is better equipped to making sure the village is safe from crime.
Lorenz also said that he is the better choice for mayor due to his long years of service in the public works department. Lorenz said he can attract businesses and future development to Evergreen Park.
“Businesses new and old have always defined our community and our goal is to foster an environment to help them thrive and provide more job opportunities to our community,” Lorenz said.
Lorenz will be joined by trustee candidates Terri Daley and Ryan Reitz. Lorenz said that as far as infrastructure the trustee candidates are a “dream team.” Reitz has a background in project management. Daley, a 40-year resident of the village, recently retired as an office manager for a downtown personal injury law firm.
All three candidates said that local officials should be regulated to term limits and there needs to be more transparency.
“A political system without term limits is easily taken advantage of by career politicians,” according to the candidates.
Burke is joined on the ticket by Village Clerk Kelly Duffy and incumbent trustees Norm Anderson, Carol Kyle and Mark Phelan. Trustees Jeannie Olson, Mark Marzullo and James McQuillan were not up for election this year.
The election is April 1. Early voting is underway.
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