What to Expect from Mayor Mary Jo Mullen in Lisle, Illinois

Published April 2025

Lisle, Illinois, is entering a pivotal chapter under newly elected Mayor Mary Jo Mullen. A former village trustee and Lisle Township supervisor, Mullen brings a blend of civic experience and fresh energy to Village Hall. Her campaign focused on revitalizing Lisle’s economy while preserving its affordability, charm, and neighborhood character — a delicate balance many suburbs struggle to achieve.

This article breaks down Mullen’s top priorities and what residents, developers, and business owners should expect from her leadership, especially regarding Lisle’s key development areas: Downtown Lisle, the Ogden Avenue corridor, and neighborhoods like Four Lakes.

Mary Jo Mullen Economic Development

Mayor Mullen has wasted no time signaling that economic revitalization is her top priority. She warns that Lisle risks falling behind neighboring towns if long-stagnant commercial areas remain underdeveloped. The consequences are already visible — according to Mullen, Lisle homeowners pay about $300 more annually in property taxes than they would if commercial tax revenue were stronger.

Her administration’s spending priorities reflect this urgency:

1. Support Lisle Police and public safety

2. Promote economic development

   
   

Mullen’s goal is clear — modernize Lisle while keeping it affordable and safe. She envisions a future where Lisle capitalizes on its assets, like the Downtown Metra station, to become a thriving, walkable, and prosperous community.

Downtown Lisle: Unlocking the Village’s Potential

Downtown Lisle is at the heart of Mullen’s development agenda. Despite its prime location and village charm, downtown has struggled to redevelop in recent years. Mullen’s administration plans to change that by actively pursuing projects aligned with the village’s Downtown Master Plan, which calls for mixed-use development — blending housing, retail, dining, and services to create a vibrant, pedestrian-friendly village center.

One of the most high-profile challenges is the long-vacant Family Square Plaza at Main & Ogden, the gateway to Downtown Lisle. A previous proposal for a mixed-use development faltered, but Mullen has consistently advocated for a similar concept:

“A multiuse development like this is still feasible,” she asserts, rejecting proposals that would revert the site to basic retail.

Expect the Mayor to actively seek developers ready to bring forward creative, community-enhancing projects. Ideas like live/work units (small storefronts paired with artist or maker apartments) are on the table, signaling a willingness to think beyond traditional models.

Downtown businesses should anticipate a Village Hall that’s motivated to increase foot traffic through streetscape improvements, events, and zoning incentives for projects that deliver on the community’s mixed-use vision. Mullen describes her approach as aiming for a “thriving but human-scaled” downtown, balancing new energy with Lisle’s small-town identity.

Ogden Avenue Corridor: Modernization Without Losing Character

Ogden Avenue, Lisle’s busiest commercial artery, is another major focus. This stretch, dotted with aging strip malls and outdated buildings, represents both a challenge and an opportunity. Mullen plans to follow the Ogden Avenue Corridor Plan (part of the 2024 Comprehensive Plan), which prioritizes modernizing the corridor with cohesive, attractive developments.

This means:

• Consolidating small parcels into more viable redevelopment sites

• Pushing buildings closer to the street

• Placing parking behind or to the side of buildings

• Adding landscaping and pedestrian-friendly features

Recent projects, like West Side Tractor’s headquarters and a planned 6,600 sq. ft. multi-tenant retail center at 908–920 Ogden, already showcase this direction — modern designs, inviting facades, and hidden parking.

Mullen has signaled a willingness to offer reasonable incentives, such as tax-sharing or TIF district assistance, for developments that meet Lisle’s goals. However, she has also emphasized that projects must add value beyond dollars.

“New projects should add amenities desired by residents, not just fill space.”

Residents can expect an administration intent on delivering thoughtful, community-benefiting projects — whether it’s new restaurants, specialty grocers, or services missing from Lisle’s current offerings.

Neighborhoods & Four Lakes: Infrastructure, Safety, and Flood Control

While big-ticket developments grab headlines, Mullen has also pledged attention to neighborhood-level concerns, especially in areas like Four Lakes and Lisle’s traditional subdivisions.

Four Lakes Map

Her infrastructure priorities include:

• Safer roads, crosswalks, and bike infrastructure

• Updated stormwater and flood control systems

• Investments in underfunded village services and facilities

A stormwater engineer by trade, Mullen has been vocal about addressing Lisle’s flood-prone areas. She aims to continue and possibly expand the Floodplain Home Acquisition Program, which helps reduce flood risk by buying out the most vulnerable properties and converting them to open space or detention areas.

Expect residents across Lisle — not just in the business districts — to see improved attention to pedestrian safety, drainage, public spaces, and the general upkeep of roads and facilities.

A More Transparent and Developer-Friendly Village Hall

Perhaps one of the most important shifts under Mullen will be how Lisle operates day-to-day. Mullen has promised a more collaborative and transparent government, emphasizing resident input and professional development standards.

For developers, this is a two-sided coin:

• Expect clearer, faster communication and a customer-focused approach to zoning and permitting

• Also expect higher expectations for design quality, community fit, and alignment with the village’s master plans

Mullen’s administration wants to partner with developers but is equally committed to ensuring that growth benefits Lisle’s long-term interests. Large subsidy requests will be carefully scrutinized, and infrastructure capacity (roads, utilities, schools) will be carefully weighed against new proposals.

Mullen also recognizes that past years saw project delays due to limited staff and outsourced plan reviews. Improvements to internal capacity may help streamline approvals without compromising on standards.

What Comes Next

With Mullen at the helm, Lisle seems poised for both bold and thoughtful change. The combination of development-minded leadership, neighborhood investments, and transparent governance is designed to position Lisle for sustainable, community-aligned growth.

Residents can expect a mayor who balances modernization with Lisle’s small-town charm, while developers will find an administration eager to partner — but insistent on quality and community value.

Sources

• Daily Herald – Candidate Q&A with Mary Jo Mullen (March 2025)

• Daily Herald – Coverage of Family Square Redevelopment Debate (March 2025)

• Lisle Forward – 2025 Campaign Platform

• Patch – Election Night Report on Mullen’s Win

• Nextdoor – Ogden Avenue Corridor Project Highlights

• LinkedIn – The Rise and Fall of Lisle’s Family Square Plaza (Community Analysis)