Schinker Announces Bid For Mokena Mayor Position

Mokena IL

04 February, 2021

1:32 PM

Description

By Jon DePaolis, the Richard Free Press: MOKENA, Ill. — Harley M. Schinker, a first-time candidate and 10-year resident of the community, has announced his bid to be elected mayor of the Village of Mokena. Schinker, 73, will challenge incumbent Mayor Frank Fleischer in the upcoming April municipal election. "I'd like to see a change here in Mokena," said Schinker in an interview with Richard Free Press on Tuesday, Feb. 2. "Mokena is growing very rapidly, and I'd like to see policy changes to meet with that growth and expansion — as well as dealing with our everyday needs." Among his policy goals, Schinker said he would like to expand the industrial corridor on 191st Street, revitalize Front Street, and bring more businesses and homes to Mokena. He also wants to improve public safety. "I believe our police department needs to be properly staffed, properly located in a new and better facility, and it needs to be better equipped to meet the demands of our public safety," said Schinker, pointing to the string of vehicle thefts from 2020 as an example. He also said there needs to be more transparency in the Village. "We need to open up our government more," Schinker said. "We need to have a Facebook page, for example. We need to have people participate in government. I would encourage people to participate by either calling in or coming into the board meetings." He also said he wanted to add an email page, so people could directly write in questions to board members and staff. Schinker is a former commander with the Chicago Police Department, as well as a former police chief in Mississippi and in nearby Lyons — where he also spent nine months as the interim village manager. He has taught government and public administration at Governors State University and has a master's degree in public administration. While not running under a formed political party or group, Schinker is campaigning with two candidates for Village trustee — newcomers Edward C. Donnelly and Jason J. Wegner. Richard Free Press is a one-stop destination for the news that most affects you, the southwest suburban resident. Be an informed citizen of the town you live in and love.