Economic development, growth key issues for Frankfort mayoral, trustee candidates

Chicago Tribune

13-03-2025

More than 100 residents packed a Frankfort banquet hall Tuesday night to hear from Mayor Keith Ogle, his challenger Justin Ozinga, and four candidates vying for three trustee seats in the April 1 election.
Ogle was elected in 2021 to succeed retiring Mayor Jim Holland, who served for 16 years. Ogle said he is seeking a second term because he wants to continue to grow Frankfort, while preserving the town's historic charm.
'We are not going to lower our standards,' Ogle said. 'And that's been consistent for the last couple decades. There's a reason people want to come to Frankfort. There's no shortage of people that want to live here. There's no shortage of people that want to build here.'
Ozinga, a Frankfort businessman, said he is challenging Ogle largely because he disagrees with how the village manages development.
'A lot of times the trustees, or especially you, the residents, don't even hear about these projects because they're shut down or discouraged before it will be made public,' Ozinga said.
Ogle was village clerk from 2013 to 2015 and village trustee from 2015 to 2021. He is president of a Frankfort-based technology company, he said.
Ozinga, a Frankfort resident for more than 20 years, is president of Ozinga Brothers, one of the nation's oldest ready mix concrete providers that started in Evergreen Park in 1928, according to the company's website.
Running for the three trustee seats are incumbents Michael Leddin, Daniel Rossi and Eugene Savaria seeking reelection and Todd Morgan, a trustee from 2001 to 2015 seeking to return after a 10-year absence;
Candidates said they hope to develop vacant properties owned by the village, but said they are selective about what to build.
Leddin said in the last four years the village has given out 130 business licenses, and Ogle mentioned that vacancy rates are low in the village.
Frankfort has a targeted incentive program to encourage private investment in commercial areas and is seeking retail development, Ogle said, but he wants to be careful about how the town develops, especially in the downtown.
'If we screw it up, well, we're going to have a problem,' Ogle said.
For Ogle, if developers follow the village's procedures, attend meetings in person and provide the necessary documentation, he is willing to collaborate with them. He pointed to the Chick-fil-A set to open this year on La Grange Road, noting owners didn't request any incentives and have been quick to complete construction.
Ozinga said when he talks to developers, they tell him 'Frankfort is closed for business,' because the steps toward getting a proposal before the board are arduous and development is costly. Ozinga said trustees are often unaware of development proposals because they are denied without being brought before trustees.
'I think our economic development efforts need to be totally overhauled, I think we're totally missing the mark on it,' Ozinga said. 'I think our standards, you know, a lot of our communications and transparency with the residents need to be checked.'
For Ozinga, the lack of affordable housing is a concern, as young adults and seniors looking to downsize have few smaller, more affordable home or apartment options.
The village of about 21,000 residents has a median household income of over $153,000, according to the most recent census data.
Several trustee candidates echoed the mayor's sentiments, saying the village should not relax its standards to attract development.
'My daughter can't afford to live in Frankfort, but I'm not going to lower the standards because of that. If you're talking about affordable housing, we are what we are,' Savaria said, to a round of applause.
Ozinga clarified that while he doesn't want the village to stop pursuing quality developments, he believes the process can be improved to allow housing projects that benefit more than just the 'ultra wealthy.'
Ozinga also believes the loss of the KidsWork Children's Museum was a significant blow to the village. After 16 years in Frankfort, the museum closed its doors and recently opened a larger location in New Lenox.
Morgan said under previous administrations, the village had more citizen committees, but many have since been dismantled.
'We need that back,' he said.
Ozinga said he believes citizen input is crucial and that he tried volunteering for the village's Economic Development Committee, but was turned down. He said Ogle encouraged him to run for mayor, a claim Ogle denied at the forum.
'I told him that that's exactly what I'll do, since they don't want me in any other part of this town to donate my time,' Ozinga said.
If the village acquired additional funds, Ogle said his priorities would be repairing water mains and improving Old Plank Trail. Savaria said the village has allocated $2 million for the trail and is actively seeking grants. Candidates also aim to revitalize the water tower and would consider contributing funds toward a recreation center.
State campaign finance disclosure reports show Ogle's campaign took in $500 in contributions, spent more than $3,000 and had $33,200 in debts during the October to December 2024 quarter. At the end of December, Ogle's campaign had $107,803 left to spend.
Ozinga's campaign took in $80,674 in contributions and spent $5,142 during the October to December 2024 quarter. At the end of December, Ozinga's campaign had $80,973 left to spend.
Early voting begins Monday.