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When Mexican immigrant Jesus Garza in 2021 became mayor of Arcola, a downstate Illinois city of just under 3,000 people, it caught the attention of more than just folks inside the heart of Illinois’ Amish country.

Garza’s triumph in the conservative community, which overwhelmingly voted for former President Donald Trump in 2020, was highlighted in an extensive Chicago Tribune profile last October.

Among those who read it was Illinois Comptroller Susana Mendoza, a Chicagoan who herself is the daughter of Mexican immigrants, not to mention the first Latina elected to her current office.

“The last person we ever thought would be mayor of the city of Arcola would be a Mexican immigrant,” Mendoza said. “So it was such an endearing story, and I’m like, ‘I have to meet this guy.’”

* WCIA…

When Garza mentioned that brighter street lights in downtown Arcola could help deter crime, Mendoza connected him with Ameren President Richard Mark, who had his crews install new streetlights.

When Garza mentioned that his small police department could use an additional squad car, Mendoza started looking for one.

“They only have a very small police force and they don’t have a lot of vehicles, they have four vehicles for the police department,” Mendoza said. “If they had an extra vehicle, that might help be able to bring another police officer onto the streets.”

Mendoza’s search led her to call [Melrose Park Mayor Ron Serpico] to see if he had any squad cars the town was decommissioning. He didn’t have just one; he had two.

“She only told me once, but I remembered,” Serpico said. “We’ve been friends for 20 years. She was kind enough to walk the precincts of Melrose Park with me during my first mayoral campaign and I’ve never forgotten her generosity. The people of Melrose Park are happy to help the people of Arcola.”

* WAND…

Illinois Comptroller Susana Mendoza coordinated a donation, of a police car and city vehicle, from Melrose Park to Arcola.

“The town of Arcola is lucky to have such a hardworking and dedicated public servant in Mayor Garza,” Comptroller Mendoza explained. […]

Garza came from Mexico to the United States. He worked in a broom factory with his father, before an Arcola entrepreneur took a chance on him. The man sent Garza to college to learn business and how to open up his own auto mechanic shop.

Over the years, Garza became more involved in his community- first as a businessman, and then last year as mayor.

* Mendoza press release excerpt…

“How perfect that on Mexican Independence Day, we celebrate the first Mexican immigrant mayor of Arcola, not just because he’s Mexican but because he’s delivering great services, and he’s such a nice guy. Everyone loves him here,” Comptroller Mendoza said. “They didn’t elect him because he’s Mexican. We’re just proud – I am at least. I’m going to do everything I can, not just to help the mayor but to help all his constituents because they are my constituents. Whatever I can do to help people, whether it’s within the purview of my office or through the relationships I’ve built in 20 years of service, today, we get to see the fruits of those labors.”

Garza and Arcola’s police officers were very happy with the new squad cars, a 2009 white Ford Expedition SUV and a 2013 black Ford Taurus.

“We’re so happy to have these police cars,” Mayor Garza said. “The goal is to keep everybody safe, make sure there’s no vandalism. We work together on that. Getting these lights, these cars, are all helping with that.”

posted by Isabel Miller
Monday, Sep 19, 22 @ 12:11 pm

Comments

Definitely feel good.

And demonstrates that immigrants can contribute to our communities, state and nation.

Comment by Sir Reel Monday, Sep 19, 22 @ 12:21 pm
While not wishing to diminish Mayor Garza’s historic first, in small communities it takes some effort to find civic minded persons for local offices, including school, park and library boards. Did Garza win a contested election or was he chosen by default? Arcola is a nice place with Amish food.

Comment by Gravitas Monday, Sep 19, 22 @ 12:32 pm
Your headline definitely did not disappoint.

Comment by Paddyrollingstone Monday, Sep 19, 22 @ 12:33 pm
Immigrants built this country. If you aren’t descended from an original Native American, then you are the result of immigration. I love this story, especially in light of current anti-immigrant sentiment that is rampant in our country.

Comment by Manchester Monday, Sep 19, 22 @ 12:34 pm
Proud of Garza and Arcola

Comment by Just a Citizen Monday, Sep 19, 22 @ 12:46 pm
Working across the aisle is almost always a feel good story. We need more stories like this from our governments.

Comment by H-W Monday, Sep 19, 22 @ 12:47 pm
Way to go.

Comment by Dotnonymous Monday, Sep 19, 22 @ 12:51 pm
Gravitas, “Jesus Garcia topped Mark Smith by 28 votes in a 4 way race” https://www.wcia.com/news/city-of-arcola-elects-first-latino-mayor/

Comment by Blake Monday, Sep 19, 22 @ 12:54 pm
Also a nice example of what can happen when the folks in higher office (Mendoza) reach out to help others make connections. This is what good government looks like. No talk of parties; just folks doing their best for their communities and their neighbors.

Comment by Pot calling kettle Monday, Sep 19, 22 @ 12:56 pm
Love how our Illinois Comptroller Susana Mendoza found a solution for a small town. Keep up the good work Mendoza.

Comment by Mama Monday, Sep 19, 22 @ 1:11 pm
The Trib did a really nice article about Garza/Arcola last October. I don’t know if it is behind a paywall, but here’s the link:

https://www.chicagotribune.com/politics/ct-arcola-latino-mayor-trump-immigration-20211029-wianxv7eb5hyjiyzvvse4acpxi-story.html

Garza has lived in Arcola for 28 years, is apparently beloved by his community, owns and operates a large mechanic shop in town, and is seen as a hard worker and good human. The article also covers the changing demographic in Arcola over the past few decades and how the folks in the city can both support Trump and enthusiastically support Garza.

Comment by Skokie Man Monday, Sep 19, 22 @ 1:20 pm
Great job by the Comptroller connecting these two communities. More like this.

Comment by SuburbanRepublican Monday, Sep 19, 22 @ 1:28 pm
You mean to tell me:

An immigrant can come and make a positive contribution to this country?

A predominantly white, conservative community that wants to live like they did a century ago can elect an immigrant to be their mayor?

A unit of government can assist another unit of government, even one in a different jurisdiction?

An elected official can actually solve a problem instead of just complaining about it?

More please (banned punctuation)

Comment by Henry Francis Monday, Sep 19, 22 @ 1:36 pm
Forgot to mention in my earlier post that I continue to be impressed by Comptroller Mendoza. She’s a breath of fresh air in a cloudy political landscape. Way to go Susana.

Comment by Manchester Monday, Sep 19, 22 @ 1:53 pm
Mendoza is a wonderful person and politician. It is so in character that she would support Garza. Accolade is a fun and interesting town with a flair for individualism.

Comment by Barrington Monday, Sep 19, 22 @ 2:01 pm
We need a person like Garza to go down and fix this immigration thing.

Comment by Blue Dog Monday, Sep 19, 22 @ 2:03 pm
Rich, with all the #$%&# in the news lately, this story is just what we needed.

Almost as good as a photo of Oscar.

Comment by Streator Curmudgeon Monday, Sep 19, 22 @ 2:04 pm
Henry Francis,
While Arcola is predominantly conservative it is not predominantly white. My daughter’s class is 50% Latino and that is part of why we decided to settle here. Mayor Garza won his race by being , IMHO, the best candidate for the job.

From the outside this may look like an anomaly but for those of us that live here, it was the obvious choice.

Comment by Gruntled University Employee Monday, Sep 19, 22 @ 2:20 pm
Thanks for the feel good story.

Comment by Back to the Future Monday, Sep 19, 22 @ 2:32 pm
I prefer Arcola to Pepsi-cola, myself.

Comment by Jerry Monday, Sep 19, 22 @ 2:36 pm
Jerry, the question, from an IL perspective, is does Arcola beat Tuscola. And I guess the answer is not this year.

Comment by cermak_rd Monday, Sep 19, 22 @ 3:06 pm
I was in central Illinois this past weekend… can’t love this story enough because… Illinois is a big state… but Illinois has a big heart, and cooperative ways should be a rule, not an exception

Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Sep 19, 22 @ 4:47 pm
Susana Mendoza is a bright spot in Illinois politics. I love this story.

Comment by Occasionally Moderated Monday, Sep 19, 22 @ 6:16 pm