Arlington Heights’s Mayor Fond Farwell

Linda McDaniel waited in line to sign her name in a book for Arlington Heights Mayor Arlene Mulder.

She came to village hall Sunday for Mulder’s open house as she prepares to end her tenure as mayor after 20 years. She has been in public service in Arlington Heights for 34 years.

“She’s my buddy,” said McDaniel, who lives in Lambs Farm in Libertyville. “She helped a lot.”

Carl Rau, McDaniel's adopted uncle, brought her to wish Mulder good luck. He said he has appreciated everything Mulder has done, particularly for the mentally disabled.

Mulder would attend dances for the mentally disabled and McDaniel would pull her on the dance floor, Rau said. And everytime McDaniel marched in a parade, she would greet Mulder, who he said, is very personable.

A committee that included Jim and Haven McClug, who have known Mulder and her family for 43 years, organized an afternoon that included musical performances from high school bands, a photo tribute by Bill Kruser, food and speeches by dignitaries.

“She is a leader wherever she has served,” Jim McClug said. “She is known and loved more in this community than the bartenders at Peggy Kinnane’s.”

There were photos, memorabilia and letters from neighboring mayors, a proclamation from Congress submitted by Senator Mark Kirk and the proclamation from the Village of Arlington Heights declaring Sunday Arlene Mulder Day.

But what stood out about Mulder - in her trademark red power suit of which she has dozens - is her connection with the people she has served for more than 30 years.

“She’s remarkable. She’s been in an enviable position to devote herself full-time to being mayor. It’s not a requirement, but she’s used every moment to represent the people of Arlington Heights everyday,” resident Mary Edith Arnold said.

Arnold moved to town in 1967 and has watched Arlington Heights fortunes change, from having a booming downtown to having stores shuttered and move to nearby Woodfield Mall in Schaumburg. It has been through Mulder’s vision that Arlington Heights has made its comeback.

While the downtown still has some vacant storefronts, “they are new and just waiting for a good economy,” Arnold said.

“Thank you each and everyone of you. I feel like I am having a flashback,” Mulder said.

She thanked village staff, her colleagues on the board and residents for electing her to office for 20 years.

Mulder said the board functioned through collaboration, listening and learning what residents want. Again and again, residents said her leadership trademark was building consensus for initiatives that benefitted the village.

Mulder announced last fall she would not seek reelection. It has been months of “lasts” for the beloved mayor. Friday, she made her last public appearance at the Arlington Heights Park District’s Arbor Day celebration in Heritage Park.

She began her political career as a park district trustee, serving for 12 years. Her very first appearance was with the late Bears legend Walter Payton at the grand opening of Arlington Lakes Golf Club. 

Mulder has become well known not only in Arlington Heights, but also throughout the region, state and country. While she could run for a higher office, she said she is retiring from politics. She has said there is no greater honor than serving as mayor of Arlington Heights.

Mayor-elect Tom Hayes will be sworn in on May 6, but Mulder still has some time as mayor.

“I’m coming to Springfield next week,” she said Sunday to Illinois Senator Matt Murphy who attended the open house. “I have a few days left and I’m going to let you guys have it.”