"Everything is Peachy here in Joliet. This is the city full of champions" Mihelich uses Xtranormal on YouTube page

This is the first time I've seen a local candidate use Xtranormal to communicate his or her message.  If you're familiar with Xtranormal, you know it usually takes a sarcastic tone; the target here is the current Joliet City Council.

Here is the video Andy Mihelich posted on his YouTube account:

Andy Mihelich: "We need to utilize the Latino business owners on Collins Street as an example of good entrepreneurship and use of private capital that creates jobs in the local neighborhood"

Will County News spoke with Joliet Mayoral candidate Andy Mihelich at the recent Informate, Get Informed Candidates forum held at the Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Parish Banquet Hall in Joliet.

First, in regards to salaries of City of Joliet employees, Mihelich said that City of Joliet "salaries and fringe benefits have to be sustainable, they have to be the right size to meet the needs of the citizens of Joliet without a property tax increase."

Next, Will County News asked Mihelich what he thought of a recent report by the Warehouse Workers for Justice which argued that many jobs in area warehouses are temporary and do not offer benefits.  Mihelich responded: "I don't consider a good job anything less than $10 dollars an hour with benefits.  We should not promote, we should not incentive any project that pays less than $10 an hour."

Mihelich said that if elected, he would implement an aggressive economic development program to include an economic development commission which would promote Joliet as Joliet, not as a suburb.  Mihelich also said he would create partnerships with local business groups and community resources such as JJC.

Mihelich said he would ensure minority contractor participation meets its goals.

Mihelich also said Joliet "needs to utilize the Latino business owners on Collins street as an example of good entrepreneurship and use of private capital that creates jobs in local neighborhoods."

Candidates for Mayor of Joliet speak at Plainfield Township Republicans forum

2011 Joliet Mayoral Candidates Warren Dorris, Lester Brown, Tom Girrante, Andy Mihelich, Dale Vollmer, and Kevin Hegarty speak at the Plainfield Township Republicans forum on February 10, 2011.  The candidates discussed important Joliet issues such as: the budget, taxes, the deficit, and safety.  Check out the candidate's responses:

















The nine candidates for Mayor of Joliet are:
Kevin Hegarty
Andy Mihelich
Jan Quillman
Tom Giarrante
Diane Harris
Lester Brown
Michael J. Marconi
Warren Dorris
Dale Vollmer

Joliet Mayoral Candidate Michael Marconi says campaign is self-financed, would donate salary back to the City of Joliet

According to an ad he took out in the Joliet Herald-News today, Joliet mayoral candidate Michael Marconi's campaign is self-financed.  Marconi's ad stated he has "No Sponsors, No Fundraisers, No Donations."

Marconi is a retired Joliet Fire Battalion Chief and has served on the executive board of International Fire Fighters Association Local #2369.  Marconi states he has negotiated many contracts with the city.

Marconi's ad states he is a "lifelong, taxpaying resident of the City of Joliet" and "As Mayor, Mike will donate his salary back to the City of Joliet, and work full time to balance the budget, spend only where there is a need and cut all money-draining projects."

Marconi identifies the following as costly mistakes made by the City Council of Joliet:
"--Silver Cross Field, $27 million and ongoing debt
--Joliet Splash Station, over $8 million and ongoing debt
--Joliet Historical Museum, $9 million and ongoing debt
--Westward expansion that cannot be sustained with city services
--Insufficient revenue from prosperous times saved for the leaner years (extravagant spending)
--Raised water rates 35%
--Increased property taxes 12%
--Eliminated 62 police officer positions and 9 fire department positions compromising public safety"

Marconi is one of 9 candidates for Mayor of Joliet.  The other 8 candidates are:
Kevin Hegarty
Andy Mihelich
Jan Quillman
Tom Giarrante
Diane Harris
Lester Brown
Warren Dorris
Dale Vollmer


Here is Michael Marconi at Joliet Chamber Candidate Forum:

Joliet Mayoral Candidates Andy Mihelich and Jan Quillman Sign Petition to End Free Lifetime Health Care Benefits for Joliet Mayor and CIty Council

Joliet Mayoral Candidates Andy Mihelich and Jan Quillman have signed City Council Candidate Richard Rodriguez's online petition to end free lifetime health care benefits for City of Joliet City Council Members and Mayors.


The City of Joliet is in major financial trouble.  Yahoo recently listed it as one of 16 cities that could go bankrupt in 2011.

The following people are running for Mayor of Joliet:

Kevin Hegarty
Andy Mihelich
Jan Quillman
Tom Giarrante
Diane Harris
Lester Brown
Michael J. Marconi
Warren Dorris
Dale Vollmer

The election will be held April 5, 2011.