Councilman Hug Makes Decision Regarding 2023 Election

JOLIET, IL — Three-term Joliet City Councilman Larry Hug announced he will be running for a fourth term of elected office in the April 4 municipal elections. Prior to this week's announcement, Mike Eulitz, who retired from the Public Works Division in 2020, took out nominating petitions in hopes of defeating Hug next spring.

“I am honored to be chosen by my fellow residents to represent them on the city council,” Hug said in this week's announcement, “and I am proud of what I’ve accomplished to improve the lives of all families in our district.”

Hug said he founded and has led Joliet’s first ever Economic Development Committee, bringing Joliet more than $5 billion in new construction from residential, retail, commercial and industrial.

Hug also stated he spearheaded the tree removal and replacement program that saw more than 12,000 Ash Trees devastated by the Ash Borer replaced.

"Hug has led the council as a fiscal conservative to trim fat and waste from the city budget while continuing to push hard for real transparency and accountability in city government," his press release announced.

Third, Hug said he increased the streets and sidewalks replacement and improvement program this year.

For many years, Joliet budgeted $2 million annually for that program, but this year, the fund was upped to nearly $12 million, Hug pointed out.

Fourth, Hug said his efforts as chairman of the public service committee helped Joliet secure an agreement with the city of Chicago to obtain Lake Michigan as Joliet's future source of drinking water when the Joliet's underground wells begin to run dry around 2030.

“There’s no time to look back and celebrate the many accomplishments,” Hug declared. “There's still much to do moving forward, and I’m up to the task. No challenge is too small or too large if it’s important to any of my fellow residents.”

Hug said he will be holding his annual fundraiser, Hugtoberfest, at the Cantigny VFW Post in Joliet on Oct. 26.

Earlier Patch coverage:

Candidates For Joliet Mayor, City Council Will Surprise You