Huntley excavation firm owner joins incumbents on Village Board

HUNTLEY – A first-time candidate with village government experience will fill the open spot on the Huntley Village Board, as two incumbents secured new terms during the Tuesday election.

Tim Hoeft, a Huntley resident for more than 30 years, will bring his professional construction background and experience on the Huntley Plan Commission to the board, as village officials look to attract more businesses to Huntley.

Incumbents Harry Leopold and Niko Kanakaris also easily secured their fourth and third consecutive terms, respectively, based on unofficial results from the McHenry County Clerk's Office.

"I would like to thank everyone who supported me in the campaign, and I look forward to serving the people of Huntley," Hoeft said late Tuesday night.

Despite his first-time candidacy, Hoeft secured the most votes in the Huntley Village Board race, capturing 28.4 percent of the vote (912 total). Leopold followed Hoeft with 27.76 percent of the vote (891 total), as Kanakaris secured 25.5 percent of the vote (814 total).

Huntley's precincts total 17, with five of the precincts in Kane County. It takes up to two weeks for officials to count provisional and late-arriving ballots.

First-time candidate Darci Chandler, an engineer from Honeywell, lost out on a Village Board seat. She finished fourth with 18.4 percent of the vote (592 total), based on unofficial results.

Throughout the campaign, all four candidates said they could contribute to Huntley's economic future, as local officials look to build upon a full Interstate 90 interchange and a hospital still under construction.

Hoeft tried to separate himself from Chandler, emphasizing his past experience on the Huntley Plan Commission and his work as a owner of a small excavating firm. He also continues a family history in Huntley politics.

His father, Terry Hoeft, served 10 years as a Huntley trustee and unsuccessfully ran for the McHenry County Board in the mid-2000s.

Securing a fourth consecutive term Tuesday, Leopold remains the second-longest serving board member next to Village President Chuck Sass.

Kanakaris, who has lived in Huntley for almost 30 years, owns restaurants in Woodstock and Marengo.

He emphasized his business background throughout the campaign and how he helped the board launch major construction projects, including the full interchange and Route 47 expansion.