Lake County Gazette

Dawn Abernathy is promising a whole new Mundelein in her run for mayor.

“Voters should vote for me because I will be a full-time mayor that will be proactive to bring businesses to the empty storefronts in town,” Abernathy told the Lake County Gazette. “I will provide open communication with all the residents in town, giving them a voice. I will work to bring infrastructure repairs and again, be proactive, not reactive to issues.”

A village of trustee set to take on incumbent Steve Lentz, Abernathy is also vowing to work for lower property taxes by being more responsible.

“The only way to keep or lower taxes is to provide another revenue stream,” she added. “The residents can no longer afford to pay the high taxes. I will build a downtown that our residents can be proud of. A downtown that people from all surrounding towns want to come and dine, relax and shop.”

Abernathy said she decided to run after becoming increasingly disenchanted with the way things are being done in the village.

“I don't believe in the ‘build it and it will come’ mentality,” she said. “More homes do not bring more business. I will work with all the trustees, no matter if they agree with me or not. I will build consensus with all the trustees and make sure Mundelein is moving in the right direction. I will make sure that we are providing the best services to our residents, and being good stewards with their dollars.”

Abernathy said her passion for Mundelein runs deep and that will show in the job she is prepared to do for all its residents.

“I am running for this office because I want to represent everyone,” she said. “Those that vote for me and those that didn't. I am always changing and adapting to the issues that are important to the residents. I believe it is important to always be evolving as a person. Listen to other ideas; research the facts before formulating an opinion. Most important, listen to the needs of your constituents. That is what I will do as mayor.”