Campaign Announcement: Mitchel Davilo for Midlothian, IL Village Board of Trustees

August 14

To My Neighbors of the Village of Midlothian,

My name is Mitchel Davilo. I am a Department Lead for Sterile Processing, a figure in the Midwestern Professional Wrestling scene, a proud member of the Pirate Party, and today, I am launching my campaign for Midlothian’s Village Board of Trustees.

I am not a lifelong resident of Midlothian; I have only been a resident for the last few years. I grew up in the City of Chicago, the oldest son of a CFD Paramedic and a nurse. I am proud of my upbringing and where I am from, but you cannot choose where you grow up.

You do get to choose where you want to spend your adult years and where you rest your head at night. I chose Midlothian, and there has never been an ounce of regret in that decision.

The people of Midlothian, my neighbors, have made this move feel like it wasn’t a move at all. My time in Midlothian has felt lifelong and natural, as if I have always lived here.

Even without being a lifelong resident, I appreciate the welcoming feeling I have received from our neighbors that makes not having grown up in Midlothian feel like a non-issue.

For all the traveling I do between my day job and professional wrestling, it is the sight of Midlothian that makes me feel like I’m finally home. The stresses of travel immediately dissipate when I see that Brown and Plaid sign reading “Welcome to Midlothian.”

I truly do love this village. Beyond the welcoming atmosphere, the many local businesses to visit, and how easily the village can be traversed by foot, I love how transparent and open the village is.

My job had previously kept me from attending Midlothian Village Board meetings, and thus the livestreams have been essential to being an informed citizen. The current Midlothian Village Board deserves all the praise in the world for that sort of commitment to transparency and open government.

In fact, it must be stated that I am in no way adversarial to the incumbent board, Midlothian On The Move, nor their work. I hold the utmost respect for Mayor Gary L’Heureux, Clerk Allen Moskal, and Trustees Anthony Burbatt, Sandra Crowley, Dianna Harris-Jedd, Jack Hille, Kathleen Johnson, and Donald Killelea.

Additionally, I wish to compliment them on their response to the weather we’ve faced. Our village has been hit hard, and the response and coming together from everyone, from our first responders to our neighbors ourselves, has been genuinely moving. The gratitude I have seen from the board, and especially Mayor L’Heureux, for our togetherness during this time of Mother Nature’s wrath has been earnest, and it matters that you have a board that cares so deeply as this board does. I personally recognize that, and I appreciate you all.

This campaign is not being launched with an intention to disrupt or disrepute the incumbent board or their agendas. If you’re seeking a massive shakeup from this campaign, then this is not the place.

Instead, I am bringing to the table the one issue the board is seemingly united on, and my reason for running: Flock cameras.

In general, we’re talking about ALPRs in Midlothian, but it is specifically Flock Safety that we currently have a contract with. In fact, the Flock Cameras are costing the village $25,000 a year on an auto-renewed two-year contract, meaning $50,000 per renewal.

Beyond obvious concerns of privacy and not wanting our neighbors to live in the panopticon, I believe there are better things the Village of Midlothian can be spending $25,000 on a year.

This and this alone is the issue dividing my campaign from the re-election campaigns of the incumbent Trustees. I believe we should cancel the contract, and not replace it with a company practically identical to Flock Safety.

During public comment at my first in-person Village Board of Trustees meeting, I voiced my concerns about Flock and asked about whether the Village was considering canceling the contract or if they’d renew come time. The board was unanimously in favor of keeping the Flock contract.

Afterwards, I had two residents approach me and thank me for raising awareness about the cameras, “because we’re against them and didn’t know the village had a contract.”

If I am indeed elected during the April 2027 election, I believe that to be due to residents holding the same concerns I feel.

If I am not elected, I will recognize that mandate from the Village residents, our neighbors, and not push further. I do not wish to be a perennial candidate, nor do I wish to waste energy on something that is clearly not earth shifting for the people of Midlothian. If this issue does not resonate, I can focus my attention elsewhere on other areas I could potentially help Midlothian and not waste my time with a 2029 Village Board of Trustees run.

Should I make it to the Village Board of Trustees come April 2027, then the Village of Midlothian will have spoken: no more ALPRs, no more contract with Flock, no more mass surveillance. I will not arrive to cause problems; I look forward to working with Mayor L’Heureux and my fellow Trustees if I do indeed get elected.

There will not be a disruption in agenda, and the spirit of Midlothian that makes our village great will carry on in earnest. Midlothian On the Move will not gain an adversary if I am elected, but an ally who loves Midlothian as much as they do.

But if I can call myself “Trustee” once the dust settles, then that is because our neighbors have made it clear: tear down these cameras.

I will begin the signature collection and filing process come September. Neighbors can expect me walking door to door next month, asking to help me get onto the ballot. Remember: getting me on the ballot ≠ a commitment to vote for me.

My name is Mitchel Davilo. I believe the Village of Midlothian, with our commitment to our neighbors, and keeping our board open and transparent, is second to none. My lone concern rests with the looming specter of mass surveillance, and this campaign is meant to find out if the issue bothers our neighbors as much as it bothers me.

If it doesn’t, I return to life as a private (and proud) citizen of Midlothian, attending Board meetings and enjoying the fruits of the hard work Midlothian On The Move put in to make our village what it is today.

But if it does, I hope Midlothian On The Move recognizes the mandate given by our neighbors and work with me, the way I hope to work with them should I be elected.

Midlothian, Victory is Arrrs.

Your Neighbor,

Mitchel Davilo

But you can call me “Mitch.”