Former Lake Forest Mayor Mike Rummel announced his candidacy Monday for Lake County Board – District 12, which includes most of Lake Forest, Knollwood, as well as portions of Deerfield and Highland Park.

Rummel, 60, joins Lake Forest resident Steve Helton in the Republican primary on March 20, 2012.

Rummel previously served as mayor of Lake Forest from 2005-09 after serving on the City Council for four years. He is also the president of Rummel and Associates, an award-winning insurance firm that he has headed since 1978.

“I am eager to take my experience as mayor and in the private sector to the County Board,” said Rummel. “As a former mayor, I know what it takes to be accessible to residents, make tough decisions and produce results. In these hard times we need to make county government more efficient and cost-effective.”

He also noted the need to address Knollwood’s challenges regarding county-provided public safety services.

Rummel worked to maintain the City’s AAA bond rating and promote fiscal responsibility through public-private partnerships and intergovernmental cooperation. He led on environmental and open space issues, including overseeing the fund-raising campaign to restore Elawa Farms and the opening of Townline Park. Rummel also worked with community leaders to expand and renovate the CROYA Center, a community center for young adults.

Rummel currently serves as the vice president in charge of development for the Northeast Illinois Council of Boy Scouts; acting chairman of the Lake Forest Downtown Commission; chairman of the Lake Forest Sesquicentennial Committee and a member of the Ragdale Board. Rummel previously served as a member of the St. Mary’s School Board in Lake Forest and as a volunteer and coach for various sports programs in the community.

Rummel has already received the support of several key community leaders including former Lake Forest Mayors Rhett Butler, Charley Clarke, Howard Kerr, Jack Preschlack and James Swarthout.

Rummel's wife, Melanie, is a practicing attorney and lifelong resident of Lake Forest. They have made their home in Lake Forest for more than 30 years and have two grown children, who both attended Lake Forest public schools. Rummel is a graduate of Northwestern University.

For more information about the campaign, visit www.mikerummel.com.