In a news release sent out this morning, DeKalb Mayor Kris Povlsen announced he will not run for another term as Mayor.

The full text of the news release is below. Stay tuned to daily-chronicle.com for more details.

It is after serious thought and much discussion with friends and family, that I have made a very difficult decision to not run for another term as Mayor of the City of DeKalb. Serving over 15 years, with four terms as Alderman and Mayor, has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my life. I feel I have been a part of many accomplishments that have had a very positive impact on the city and its residents.
 
Reflecting back, accomplishments that stand out and I am the most proud of during my tenure on the City Council include: seeing Sycamore Road transform from cornfields to retail and business development; seeing to completion and supporting our downtown revitalization and the efforts of Mayor Frank Van Buer and ReNew DeKalb; working with the business community to assure vibrant and job producing industrial developments in Park 88; initiating legislation to see smoke free public facilities with a smoking ban in public buildings before it became state law; the construction of a state of the art Police Station; bringing the city out of one of the worst economic times in its history, moving the General Fund Balance Reserve from $30,000 to $3,200,000; addressing and taking aggressive action on the safety and quality of housing in DeKalb; creating a fair and fiscally responsible benefit package for city retirees; and building collaborative relationships with community partners like NIU, DeKalb Schools, DeKalb Park District, Kishwaukee Community Hospital and DeKalb County.
 
Some have asked if I am stepping down because of the stress, criticism, tough decision making, or serious challenges that come with being Mayor.  I can honestly say it is none of the above. I deeply enjoy my interaction with the City Council, city staff, and community residents. I embrace the challenges and finding the appropriate solutions to assure this community is the best it can be. My reason for not running for another term is simply a matter of it being the right time in my life to move on to other challenges and life experiences. I retired several years ago after 40 years of full time professional employment. I have a wonderful wife, three amazing children, four beautiful grandchildren, excellent health, and a desire to experience my life in a different mode. 
 
I will truly miss my day to day involvement with the City of DeKalb. I feel honored and am moved that the citizens of DeKalb have had faith in me, voting me into office in four elections. It is my hope and belief that I will be leaving the city next April better off than it was when I first took office in 1997.