Editor’s note: This story was written in March 2025. At that time, Lora Vitek was serving as Mayor. She is no longer in office as of May 5, 2025.
On Friday, March 21, 2025, St. Charles’ incumbent Mayor Lora Vitek visited St. Charles East High School to share words of wisdom reflecting on her career, struggles and success with some of East’s students.
Mayor Vitek is serving her first term as mayor after winning the mayoral election in April of 2021 amidst a global pandemic. She is seeking reelection for mayor, with her top opponent being retired Judge Clint Hull.
Vitek holds a Master of Business Administration and a Master of Management from North Park University, as well as a Bachelor of Science in marketing from Millikin University. Before being elected mayor, she served as the Fourth Ward alderperson from 2017 to 2021 and as a Youth Commissioner from 2012 to 2017.
The presentation lasted for about 30 minutes, in which Vitek started by explaining how, despite her success today, she did not come from a wealthy upbringing. She talked about how she came from the southern Chicago suburbs on student loans.
Vitek highlighted the fact that being mayor in St. Charles means you make close to nothing, so she is not doing this for money. She also explained how, in addition to being mayor, she works a full-time job as an executive director at a dental insurance company called Delta Dental.
Vitek also recognized that growing up, she had no idea what she wanted to do with her life: “I had no clue what I was going to do in school. I went and got a marketing degree and had no clue what I was going to do with it.” She went on to say that you don’t need to have it all figured out in high school or even in college to be successful, but she highlighted the importance of taking risks and trying new things.
The mayor also explained the importance of being a good human being. “Being in the world of politics and being a leader in my company, there are so many people that just say things or do things, and I’m like, ‘have you ever thought about how that might impact the person?’ If you are not acting like a decent person, you should ask yourself, why? Because being a good person is just an easy thing to do. It doesn’t take much skill, and everybody can do it.” Vitek went on to explain the importance of giving back; she went on to say how giving back isn’t just about strengthening your high school résumé or college application, but it’s also about just being a good human; it also helps you network, learn and be a leader. “Showing up, being responsible, paying attention and doing your work–it’s just about accountability,” said Vitek.
The mayor then shifted her focus to politics: “We live in a world now where politics is [discussed at a] very federal level. Everybody talks about conservatives and liberals or Democrats and Republicans, but the world is much greater than that. If you’re getting your news from only CNN or only Fox News, you should also look at the other side. […] I know people get irritated by federal politics, and it’s starting to get annoying to everyone.” That’s exactly why she decided to run for mayor; she discussed how she wants to give back, and it’s not about being a Democrat or a Republican but about being a good human being.
Vitek said that she believes it is important to work hard, go to school, get a job, hold yourself accountable, be a good person and give back. With that, Vitek concluded her presentational part of the meeting and opened it up for questions.
While answering some questions, she recognized the economic and social disparities in our world: “Not everyone is fortunate to have a good job or have a great family. So I think it’s important to look at things from a different lens and understand that people have hardships […] even though perhaps that person is a complete jerk, maybe there’s something going on, something that I don’t know about, and trying to have a little bit of empathy.”
The mayor also discussed compromise: “It is about sitting down and listening to the individual side and asking them why they have that opinion. I think for the most part, if you’re listening, you will have a compromise.”
She discussed the dedication it takes to be mayor, “It took me a couple of years to get where I feel I am now; the first year being mayor was tough. I had never done the job before. I never realized how much work you put into this; it’s not just about shaking hands and going out in public; you actually have to do the work.”
Vitek also highlighted that if you are eligible to vote but you don’t, then “technically, you really shouldn’t complain.” She encourages all eligible people to vote in their local and federal elections.
Vitek always encourages young people to reach out to her if they have questions.
