Lake County Gazette

Libertyville Mayor Donna Johnson's tough stance on illegal immigration has become a major focal point in her campaign for reelection on April 4.   

Johnson was one of many suburban mayors who advocated for an ordinance that banned the dropping off of illegal immigrants in her community. 

“You can't just come in and do things without having the proper process in place,” Johnson told the Lake County Gazette. “It’s not just about making sure people get here, it's about ensuring they are properly vetted."

Libertyville sign. | Facebook / Re-elect Donna Johnson for Libertyville Mayor

Johnson, who has long been an advocate for local government oversight, pointed to the growing concerns with the speed at which individuals were cleared during the Biden Administration for entry into the U.S., noting that insufficient vetting procedures could lead to dangerous consequences.

"On many calls I’ve listened to from the processing centers, they’ve said that they only have 90 days to process and vet people...there’s no way you can properly check someone's background in that short amount of time. These processes are flawed," Johnson said. "We are talking about a national security issue, and when these processes are rushed, it puts everyone in harm's way."

A significant part of Johnson's concerns revolves around the incomplete background checks for individuals entering the U.S., particularly those coming from crime ridden regions of the world. 

“It's not just about the numbers of people entering. You have to vet them properly through multiple databases, including international ones, to ensure there are no criminal records. Without this, how can we ensure safety for our residents?" she asked. "People coming from countries like Venezuela may not all be involved in crime, but it’s a high-risk area. We have to acknowledge the likelihood of some being involved in illegal activities like drug trafficking.”

Johnson's comments are a direct response to the growing number of illegal immigrants entering the country, with many of them arriving from South American countries. She specifically referenced concerns about criminal cartels, claiming that migrants from these regions may attempt to exploit U.S. immigration policies to transport illegal goods across the border.

“We have to understand the geopolitical reality. Venezuela is right next to Colombia, a known hotspot for drug cartels," Johnson said. "While we can't say every individual coming from there is involved in illegal activities, we have to recognize the risks. Those individuals could be using immigration as a means to transport drugs or other illicit goods into the country.”

Her call for a more robust immigration system has resonated with many local officials who feel the current measures aren't enough to keep communities safe. Johnson argued that the rush to process immigrants quickly—often under pressure due to high numbers—could result in unsafe practices that put both new arrivals and long-time residents at risk.

"This isn't about being unkind or inhumane, it's about being responsible," Johnson said. “We need to ensure that everyone who enters the U.S. is safe, and that their entry doesn't jeopardize the safety of those already here.” 

Johnson said illegal immigration in the state could have lasting consequences.

"Yes, we want to be welcoming, but we can't afford to sacrifice safety for the sake of expedience. The current system needs to change," Johnson said. 

Johnson’s history in Libertyville runs deep 

Johnson has a long history of involvement in Libertyville’s civic life, which spans various roles including trustee, Zoning Board of Appeals chair and planning commission member.

“It's my first term as a mayor that I'm completing,” Johnson said. “But  prior to this I served four complete elected terms as a trustee of Libertyville.” 

Johnson long maintained a career as a full-time corporate attorney as well.  

"I just recently retired from a Fortune 100 company," she said. 

After 35 years of counseling CEOs and business partners, Johnson said she is proud of the impact she made in the corporate world. 

"I was very integrally involved in the operations of the company and mentored so many people over the years in so many different capacities," she said. 

In her personal life, Johnson's emphasis is on family and faith. 

“I’ve been a member of St John’s Catholic Church in Proclaimers there for over 35 years as well,” she said. “I got married at that church. So I’m very involved in my church community as well.” 

Johnson is also known for her strong support of veterans, which she attributes to her personal family history. 

"I have family members that graduated from Annapolis,” she said. “My dad was a World War II honor flight veteran, and my mother was the director of the pharmacy at the Veterans Administration’s largest neuropsychiatric hospital." 

Johnson emphasized that veterans, especially those returning from combat, deserve more attention and support from the community. 

"I’m very strong affinity for veterans because for multiple reasons – we owe them a debt of gratitude, and we should do more as private citizens to help them on their journey," she said. 

Fiscal responsibility and a personal touch in governance 

Johnson reinforced her commitment to Libertyville’s future, emphasizing that fiscal prudence and responsible leadership are the keys to ensuring the community continues to thrive. 

"It’s about making tough decisions, being transparent with residents, and ensuring we’re doing everything we can to address the challenges we face," she said. 

When discussing her leadership style, Johnson noted her commitment to being accessible to the village’s workforce.

"One of the goals that I had when I first got elected in 2021 in the first two months of my being sworn in was to meet with every person on my staff, which is 165 people," she said.  

According to Johnson, these one-on-one meetings allowed her to hear directly from employees about how to improve their work environment. She said those efforts to improve morale and communication have led to positive changes, including more inclusive events for first responders and public works staff. 

Johnson has also attended key community events, including National Night Out and Police Department anniversary celebrations. 

Johnson’s leadership has had a significant impact on the village’s economic development. During her first term, she spearheaded efforts to address financial challenges stemming from the Libertyville Sports Complex. 

“The concept was back then that we needed more soccer fields, we needed more turf area, we needed areas where kids could practice,” Johnson said. 

However, the project led to millions of dollars in debt, which she worked to alleviate. Johnson pushed for a lease with a third party with the option to buy, ultimately ensuring the facility’s continued operation under new management.

She also made strides in addressing housing needs in Libertyville, advocating for attainable options that don't compromise the market value of surrounding homes. 

"My focus and my definition right now of retained affordable housing is more focused on our senior community," she said.

Johnson pointed to the successful completion of senior housing projects under her watch, such as 500 Peterson Road.

Johnson also cited her efforts to manage the village’s finances and support local businesses and emphasized her passion for serving both the residents and the community. 

“It’s part of who I am as a human being and I don’t want it forgotten,” Johnson said. 

Fighting unfunded mandates and fiscal irresponsibility in Springfield 

More recently, Johnson’s leadership role has expanded regionally. 

“I’ve taken on leadership roles beyond Libertyville. I’ve been elected to the vice president of the Northwest Municipal Conference, which consists of 45 municipalities from Lake to Cook counties,” she said. “Soon, I’ll be the president of that organization, and I’ve been involved in advocating and conducting research to support not just Libertyville, but other communities as well." 

Johnson’s extensive involvement in regional organizations, particularly her role at the Northwest Municipal Conference, gives her a unique platform to advocate for suburban communities, especially when Springfield’s policies don’t always take their concerns into account.

"Springfield has proposed the consolidation of Pace, RTA and Metra under what’s called the MLA plan,” Johnson said. “That legislation raises tremendous heartburn for me, as it’s proposed today.” 

She pointed out a specific provision that has raised her concerns. 

"It has a land use provision that allows for eminent domain,” she said. “And in terms of voting authority, it’s allocating decisions to the chair of the Cook County Board, with five votes. The governor and mayor of Chicago will each get five votes, and that’s not right. The suburban community is expected to financially contribute, but our voices are being eliminated. We’re being asked to pay without having any say."

Johnson’s objection is not just limited to transportation issues. She’s also critical of legislation passed in Springfield without adequate funding, particularly in relation to public safety. 

The introduction of body cameras for police officers, while a step toward increased safety, comes with an unfunded mandate.

"We want increased safety, and we understand the merit of body cameras," Johnson said. "But when Springfield passed that bill that became effective in January 2025, they didn’t provide any funding to municipalities to support it. It’s not just the officers wearing the cameras. There’s a whole infrastructure that’s needed—systems, servers, networks, and ways to upload and process video for evidence and trials. These are significant costs, and it has to be done in a fluid and efficient manner."

Johnson also raised concerns about the unfunded lead pipe replacement mandate, which has become a critical issue in Illinois. 

She emphasized that Libertyville, like many other communities, is facing substantial costs for replacing aging infrastructure that still contains lead pipes.

"We have an inventory of lead pipes that needs to be replaced,” she said. “In our community, it’s going to cost us $1.5 million per year to replace them over the next five years. We all want to do what’s best for the health of our residents, but identifying a need is one thing. Ensuring there’s a budget to support it is another. This has been the challenge in Illinois for years—just identifying needs without finding sustainable funding sources."

Beyond the technical and financial challenges, Johnson is also focused on the broader fiscal issues facing the state. 

She expressed concern over Illinois’ budget deficit and the impact that state-level financial decisions will have on local governments.

"For Libertyville, one of the significant challenges is the loss of the 1% grocery tax, which was sunsetted in January 2026. For us, that’s a loss of $850,000 in revenue," Johnson said. "This is critical funding that supports services like fire, police, and public works. While people want tax relief, they also need to understand that these taxes play a key role in maintaining the quality of services. There has to be a balance between relief and sustainability."

Further compounding the issue is the reduction in the Local Government Distribution Fund (LGDF), which has had a significant impact on municipalities across the state. 

Johnson outlined how the state has consistently underfunded the LGDF, initially set at 10% of sales tax revenue, now reduced to 6.25%.

"Municipalities have generated the tax, but Springfield is not giving it back,” she said. “This is something that many mayors, including myself, are still fighting for. But we have to understand that Illinois is facing a $3.2 billion deficit, and the likelihood of restoring funding is slim. The reality is that we have a finite amount of funding, and we have to figure out how to manage that."

As Johnson looks ahead to the future, she recognizes that fiscal responsibility will be the cornerstone of her campaign. 

"You have to be fiscally responsible and accountable," she said. "We have to figure out where the money is going to come from to address our needs and ensure minimal impact on residents. People need to be informed about these challenges."

Johnson also pointed to the broader economic picture in Illinois, acknowledging that while residents may not fully grasp the scale of the state’s fiscal troubles, they will soon feel the effects. 

"I believe the reality will hit home for voters when taxes increase," Johnson said. "That’s when people will start paying attention. And that’s when they’ll understand just how deep the problems are."