Haig Haleblian Poised To Win Crystal Lake Mayoral Race

Editor's note: The McHenry County Clerk on Wednesday afternoon reported it found "some anomalies" in Tuesday's election results. As a result, it has removed all election tallies from its website. The clerk's office said it intends to identify the source of the problem and re-tabulate results on Thursday. The numbers below could be inaccurate.

CRYSTAL LAKE, IL — Haig Haleblian is looking to pick up where longtime Mayor Aaron Shepley left off following Shepley's unexpected death at age 56 last year.

Haleblian had been a Crystal Lake city councilor for three years when he was picked to step into the role as acting mayor. Unofficial vote totals as of Wednesday morning showed him leading, with 53.61 percent of voters picking him over challengers Donald Kountz, who had 16.37 percent of the vote, and Jim Sisto, who had 30.02 of the vote.

Haleblian thanked voters late Tuesday for “electing me as Mayor of Crystal Lake.”

“I am honored and humbled by your trust and look forward to serving you as we build on our City’s strengths to make an even more vibrant community,” Haleblian said in a statement posted late Tuesday on his Facebook page.

Shepley, who served as Crystal Lake's mayor for 21 years, died in his sleep at age 56 after biking 50 miles the day before, city council member Ellen Brady told the Chicago Tribune last spring. He said he felt a tightness in his chest before he went to sleep.

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Haleblian said Shepley was "not only a friend but also a hero, and picked great leaders to help run Crystal Lake.

"Two years ago, I would have never dreamed I would be a mayor let alone run for the position. I used to tell Aaron 'when you go I go.' Sadly that statement took on an entirely new meaning last June. He went and I stayed," Haleblian wrote in his recent candidate profile on Patch. "Though Aaron was an attorney and I a businessman, our philosophies are pretty consistent in that we despise liars, trolls, and will always do what we feel is best for the community."

As for priorities as Crystal Lake's mayor, Haleblian, the owner of Exceed Floor and Home for the past 34 years, says moving on past the COVID-19 virus, business retention and staying focused on keeping Crystal Lake's tax rate among the lowest in McHenry County are top on his list.

While serving as acting mayor, he helped bring in a $600,000 state grant for struggling small businesses, cut the cost of liquor license fees and is working on creative initiatives to promote outdoor dining, he said.

"I'm laser focused on securing any and all state and federal monies to help Crystal Lake's small businesses. Small business is the lifeblood of any community. We all need to support them," Haleblian continued.

Getting coronavirus vaccine shots into Crystal Lake residents' arms is a top priority for Haleblian. He's been working with city and county leaders to open a mass vaccination site in Crystal Lake. Currently, the county is eyeing a space at Willow Creek Community Church in Crystal Lake to make that happen.

"As the largest community in McHenry County we deserve a site to administer the COVID vaccine," he said.

Haleblian says Crystal Lake is well-run with exceptional services. Responsive police and fire departments lend to a very low crime rate, and the city's public works department helps provide exceptional services, such as streets that are clear of snow, even during a relentless winter like this past one.

He said the success Crystal Lake has seen mainly has to do with his predecessor. And now he hopes to just keep that momentum going.

"If I can continue to build off that foundation in the current successful trajectory we are heading, we will continue our success," he said. "It isn't one accomplishment that determines success but many. Crystal Lake as well as any successful community need to grow and evolve to remain vibrant and attractive to its citizens."

You can learn more about Haig Haleblian by reading his Patch.com profile.

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Head to Crystal Lake-Cary Patch for more news.

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