Sugar Grove's village president race features Konen and Stillwell

The election for village president in Sugar Grove on April 1 features two candidates: incumbent Jennifer Konen and challenger Susan Stillwell. Jennifer Konen, 49, is seeking a second term. She believes residents are worried about high property taxes, inflation, and economic development. Konen highlights that Sugar Grove has not raised property taxes for the past two years. She aims to continue efforts to drive economic growth and address local infrastructure needs, such as water main replacements and neighborhood connectivity through trails. Konen also emphasizes collaboration with other taxing bodies to optimize tax dollars on community projects. She feels there is a split in the community regarding economic development and wants to encourage dialogue through the election. Susan Stillwell, 42, is running for village president for the first time. She points to issues surrounding a proposed TIF for the Crown Community Development project, which has raised concerns among residents. Stillwell believes the community is divided and wants to unify opinions, especially regarding the environmental impacts of the development. Stillwell advocates for tax reduction and believes that bringing in higher-quality businesses could help achieve that. She also wants to improve Sugar Grove's aesthetics, increase native plantings, and pursue state grants for local projects, including revitalizing the farmers market. The race has sparked conversations about the community's future direction, making it a significant election for Sugar Grove.