Two Mundelein residents are vying for the Lake County Board District 10 seat of outgoing incumbent Jessica Vealitzek, with Democrat Nicki Sullivan to face Republican Jeffrey Issel in November.
In recently discussing their campaigns, they talked about affordability and the planned Grayslake T5 data center development, issues that seem to be at the forefront of residents’ minds this election cycle.
District 10 includes Indian Creek and portions of Hawthorn Woods, Lake Zurich, Long Grove, Mundelein and Veneron Hills. Vealitzek has been on the board since 2018.
Nicki Sullivan
Sullivan first dipped her toes into politics through advocacy work in what she called “passion projects,” like pushing for various infrastructure improvements and advocating for laws related to responsible development in her community.
She previously served seven years on the Diamond Lake School District 76 board, until she resigned earlier this year to focus on campaigning for the County Board, and considers it valuable experience for her run.
“I have a track record of getting things done,” Sullivan said. “People know me for my tenacity and working hard until I can figure out how to get things done.”
When she learned in October that Vealitzek wasn’t going to be running again, Sullivan chose to throw her hat in the ring. She’d been considering running for an elected office for some time, but didn’t feel the need to challenge local representatives that were “doing a great job.”
“With an open seat, it was just an incredible opportunity for me,” she said. “I’m running because I’ve seen firsthand what you can do when you’re willing to roll up your sleeves and dive in, do your homework and make positive change.”
Sullivan said she’s heard two issues from people: the cost of living and concerns over development, especially the Grayslake data center.
There are limited options for addressing the cost of living from the County Board, Sullivan admitted, but she emphasized focusing on what she could influence: fiscal restraint, taxpayer dollar responsibility, public-private partnerships, and investing in infrastructure to avoid long-term issues.
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Meanwhile, the data center development has people “very concerned,” Sullivan said.
“People are very concerned about it. They want to understand what the developments mean for them, how the decisions are made, and feel like they’re actually part of the decision-making process, instead of being told about it after everything is already finalized,” she said.
Looking ahead, the county needs to make sure that any development is “paying its fair share,” she said, and consider potential long-term impacts on things like water, electricity and stormwater.
“At the end of the day, I think transparency really ties it all together,” Sullivan said. “People should know what’s being proposed.”
Jeffrey Issel
Issel also lives in Mundelein and is currently serving as a precinct committeeman for Fremont Township. He is also the vice chairman of the Fremont Township Republicans. His professional background is in logistics, operations, and purchasing, he said.
He became more involved in local politics after the 2024 Mundelein High School District 120 referendum, which was ultimately approved. Issel, viewing it as an “enormous sum,” had advocated against the move and argued the community has seen higher taxes because of it.
While running for the precinct position, he learned “a bit late” there was no Republican running for District 10, and chose to volunteer.
He emphasized he was “organized” and “very fair,” including on the T5 data center debate, an issue he hasn’t taken an explicit side on.
“Both sides … are selling,” he said. “They’re trying to sell their view, and anybody who has spent any time in sales knows that you’re not necessarily going to give you all the facts.”
He wants to “bring both sides to the table” to get out the facts, proposing holding a ticketed event — with proceeds going to Lake County’s homeless shelter — to get out information.
“We need to bring these people together, so in the long run, cooler heads prevail, because it’s getting downright dangerous,” Issel said.
Issel is also interested in finding opportunities to save taxpayer dollars in small ways, such as one case he discussed in which he believed the county could send fewer mailers to save money.
“That’s what I intend to look for when I get elected,” Issel said. “Looking at it and thinking about what you’re doing.”
His enthusiasm is “through the roof,” Issel said. While he’s a conservative Republican, he said he would be coming in with “an independent attitude.”
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“I’m not going to just assimilate with a single party; I’m going to look at the issues,” he said. “I’m going to listen, I’m going to interpret, I’m going to formulate a plan, execute.”
If he wins, Issel would be joining as the superminority party on an overwhelmingly Democratic board. He isn’t planning on forcing anyone to change their minds, he said, but to “provide clarity, education, a different way of thinking.”
“I’m not afraid to change my mind if someone can sell me on the fact,” Issel said. “I’m willing to listen as well.