La Salle mayor Jeff Grove seeks reelection bid

La Salle Mayor Jeff Grove is running for reelection in April 2025, he said, with the motivation to make the city an outstanding community for everyone with the ideas and input from its citizens.

“I appreciate the confidence and trust you have given me as your mayor,” he said in a news release. “I promise you, this is an honor and responsibility that I do not take lightly. I am just as motivated, fired up and excited, to work for you, along with the City Council, as I was, when first elected.

“I will continue to do so with the highest regard and compliance to ethics, integrity, honesty and open communication.”

Grove will be challenged by three candidates for the mayor’s seat in the April 2025 election. Grove, Tyler Thompson, Gary Hammers and Jamie Hicks will be on the ballot. An announcement article was published Nov. 18 for Hicks.

Grove said he will focus on the critical issues facing the city and will refrain from inciting inflammatory or misleading statements and will expect the same standard of conduct from his support and surrogates.

“The citizens of La Salle deserve an issue oriented contest,” he said in a news release. “I encourage my opponents to publicly commit to positive campaigns that focus on improving La Salle’s future.”

Grove said the interests that unite La Salle residents are far more important than any policy differences that will shape his campaign and he said he hopes sincerely the upcoming contest will reflect that reality.

Grove highlighted the cities accomplishments throughout his time as mayor, such as improved communication through multiple methods, making progress on funding the police and fire pension deficits, improving multiple roads and increasing the city ambulance service to residents.

During his tenure as mayor, he said the city has worked to improve the financial stability in the city, by spending on “needs” while keeping the city portion of the property tax bill to a minimum and in compliance with the EPA mandate to separate storm and sanitary sewers.

Grove said he has worked with developers to improve downtown through the offering of incentives. He said he has been aggressive in going after property maintenance issues and tearing down dilapidated buildings and had a hotel feasibility study performed.

“We continue to be aggressive in the future,” he said. “Unfortunately, the process takes time due to the legal work.”

He said there has been improvement to the city’s parks and swimming pool to ensure they will continue to be available for future generations.

Grove said there still is progress to make in La Salle, saying as city finances improve the city may be able to dedicate money for curb and sidewalk improvements when doing its annual road program.

He also hopes to continue to collaborate with developers to work toward the wast end of First Street, finish the access pathway to Rotary Park, increase sales tax and stay current on infrastructure needs.

Grove said communication should be positive and transparent and residents should not hesitate to reach out to him with questions, concerns, ideas or thoughts.

“Communication is the key to success,” he said. “I am here, working for You. Providing accessibility.”