Four years after being elected the first African American female mayor of Lynwood, promising to bring down spending and rid the village of $25 million in debt, Jada Curry is asking voters for another term.
Curry, a 20-year resident of the village of fewer than 10,000 people, said she will continue work to boost economic development and improve public safety if reelected to office. She is running with a slate of candidates including trustees Randall Blakey and David Lilly, who are running for reelection, newcomer Bryan Hurt for trustee and Clerk Karen Wingfield-Bond, who is also seeking reelection.
“We have always loved and enjoyed serving the village of Lynwood, and we’re thrilled and looking forward to what we’re going to do in the next term,” Curry said Tuesday.
Curry’s team is facing opposition in the Feb. 25 Democratic primary from a slate named The Lynwood Choice Team headed by Detonya Armstrong, a registered nurse who has lived in Lynwood for 10 years.
The Lynwood Choice slate claims a vision of “empowering Lynwood for a brighter future” through creating jobs and attracting new businesses, according to its campaign website. Other members include incumbent Trustee Rolanda Clark, Linda Miller, a registered nurse, and Jacqueline McGee, a community advocate who works in early childhood education.
Armstrong did not respond to several messages from the Daily Southtown, but the Choice Team’s website states that Lynwood under Curry’s leadership has “lacked the leadership and transparency needed to unlock its full potential.”
Unlike her predecessor, Eugene Williams, who held the mayor’s seat for 16 years before Curry beat him in 2021, Curry opposed bringing a south suburban casino to Lynwood. The from the village and the Ho-Chunk Nation for a casino just east of Illinois 394 northeast of the Glenwood-Dyer Road interchange was one of four finalists, but did not advance to the final two following Curry’s election. The casino license was ultimately given to Wind Creek LLC to build the Wind Creek Chicago Southland casino that straddles Homewood and East Hazel Crest.
However, Curry said she is proud of the economic growth seen under her administration, with business openings during her term including a boutique grocery store, a Dunkin Donuts, a car wash, a Dollar General and two restaurants.
“That’s going to be huge for (residents),” Curry said. “They want to see more opportunities for them to shop and dine and be entertained.”
State campaign finance disclosure reports show Curry’s campaign took in $17,050 in contributions during the October-December 2024 quarter, and at the end of December she had just under $1,7120 available to spend. Most donations came from individuals, according to the Illinois State Board of Elections website.
Campaign finance records were not available for Armstrong’s campaign.
ostevens@chicagotribune.com
