Mayor Bury Won't Seek 3rd Term, Endorses Terry Vorderer In 2021

OAK LAWN, IL — Mayor Sandra Bury announced that she will not be seeking a third term as village president of Oak Lawn. Bury released a video Wednesday afternoon stating that her name would not be on the ballot in the April 6, 2021 consolidated election.

An optometrist with a successful practice, Bury was a political newbie when she challenged the 2-term incumbent Mayor Dave Heilmann in 2013. She became the first woman to be elected to the village’s highest office. She was elected to a second term after a contentious campaign in 2017, beating challenger and former Dist. 3 trustee Bob Streit in a landslide.

Bury called her two terms as mayor an “incredibly fulfilling privilege.”

“Together with our great board and our incredible staff, I really feel we transformed Oak Lawn and this has ensured a fantastic future for our families, our residents and, of course, our businesses,” she said. “I’m very sad to move on, but I’m looking forward to my next adventure with a renewed sense of commitment to the community, service and compassion.”

Stating that the village’s next mayor will face many challenges, including mounting pension liabilities for police, fire and public works employees, and a decline in tax revenue due to the pandemic, she endorsed Dist. 4 Trustee Terry Vorderer, a life-long Oak Lawn resident.

Vorderer is a Vietnam War veteran and retired Oak Lawn police officer who rose through the ranks to become division chief of patrol. He served on the Oak Lawn Park District Board for many years, and has also advocated on behalf of disabled military veterans.

“All of [his] experiences have made him uniquely qualified. Terry understands what it takes to keep a community safe,” Bury said. “Let’s continue the momentum we’ve had. It’s been very positive. We have more work to do. Let’s get the vote out for him.”

Bury’s exit may clear the deck for more residents to run for village president. At this time, however, Vorderer is the only candidate so far who has openly expressed an interest in running for mayor.

This is a developing story. Check back later for updates.