Lake Forest Mayor Rob Lansing Will Not Seek Re-Election

LAKE FOREST, IL — Mayor Rob Lansing shocked aldermen when he announced he will not seek a second term in office on next April's ballot at a City Council meeting Tuesday, Pioneer Press reported. Lansing read a prepared statement at the end of the meeting explaining other parts of his life had "grown and evolved" more than he expected and he was "neither comfortable nor satisfied" with the time available to devote to his priorities.

Lansing, a former alderman, was elected last April to succeed Mayor Donald Shoenheider. He ran unopposed after gaining the endorsement of the Lake Forest Caucus. According to a biography provided by the Caucus, Lansing is the founder of local real estate investment management firm Westminster Capital, a former lieutenant in Naval Intelligence and a past elder if First Presbyterian Church. He has served Lake Forest on a variety of boards and commissions since 1985 and has three children and four grandchildren, it said.

Lake Forest mayors serve for a maximum of two, two-year terms and receive a token annual salary of $10. Lansing's announcement came just over two months after City Manager Bob Kiely announced his plans to retire in January. The mayor's decision came as a surprise to aldermen, according to the Lake Forester.

Complete statement from Mayor Rob Lansing delivered at the Lake Forest City Council meeting Sept. 4:

Tonight, the City Council once again has completed important policy actions and deliberations essential to sustaining Lake Forest as one of the finest communities in America — This work only occurs through the generous commitment of time, intellect, and informed fair mindedness of citizen volunteer Aldermen and women, the many members of Lake Forest’s boards and commissions, — AND the dedication of a highly qualified and talented City staff and its senior leadership.

All this said, there are also personal costs associated with citizen volunteering on behalf of the City — In my case, the time pressures of running an expanding financial services firm, heading an enterprising family, and being an available grandparent, combined with being Mayor exceed my expectations of 18 months ago — The work of Mayor I have found to be exactly what I thought, however the other facets of my life have grown and evolved more than expected such that, at an entirely personal level, I am neither comfortable nor satisfied with the time I have available to devote to all of these priorities.

Therefore, after long, thoughtful consideration, I have decided not to pursue a second term as Mayor — I have apprised the senior leadership of the Lake Forest Caucus of this decision and they will begin the Mayoral nomination process this month — I will assist the Caucus in any way they ask of me.

I look forward to continuing to execute the office of Mayor of Lake Forest with the able support and assistance of this Council and City Staff through May 6th, 2019. I continue to enjoy working with City Council and interacting with so many caring, thoughtful residents. It has truly been an honor to serve our residents as the Mayor of Lake Forest and I will forever be grateful for this opportunity.