Lake County Gazette

On July 29, 2025, Mayor Jeff A. Sode of the Village of Wauconda addressed residents regarding an incident involving Trustee Nicole Strauts. According to Mayor Sode, Trustee Strauts was a passenger in a vehicle that was stopped by officers from the Wauconda Police Department. The police report related to this stop has drawn significant attention on social media and prompted numerous calls from concerned residents.

Mayor Sode clarified that Trustee Strauts "was not ticketed or charged in any manner." However, after reviewing body camera footage from the traffic stop, he expressed concern about her conduct during the encounter. "I find many of the comments made to the village’s employees by Ms. Strauts to be inappropriate," Sode stated.

He continued: "While elected officials, like any resident, may exercise their first amendment and legal rights, threatening to sue the Village, speaking disparagingly of employees, and questioning lawful protocols during a traffic stop while employees are carrying out their job responsibilities fractures the relationship between employees and the Village Board. Moreover, these interactions have the potential to erode the public trust."

Sode emphasized that elected officials should model respectful behavior toward village employees and follow established procedures if dissatisfied with services or employee performance. "As elected officials at the top of the organizational chart, we should treat our employees with respect in all situations and follow the chain of command and appropriate processes if we are not satisfied with services or employee performance," he said.

The mayor also reported that he had reviewed Trustee Strauts' concerns about code enforcement together with both the Village Administrator and Chief of Police. He concluded: "I find that the Village has adequately addressed its codes and followed proper protocols."

Finally, Mayor Sode noted Trustee Strauts’ status as an elected official and encouraged reflection on her part: "Trustee Strauts has been duly elected by the voters of the Village of Wauconda. I suggest she take this opportunity to reflect upon and learn from this situation."