South Beloit native and local-business owner Laurie Redieske announces candidacy for South Beloit Mayor in 2027

Lifelong resident and local business owner Laurie Redieske has officially announced her candidacy for Mayor of South Beloit in the upcoming Spring 2027 municipal elections.

Redieske, who owns and operates Lolligags, a full-service salon she opened in 2000 alongside her husband Josh, says her deep roots in the community and a desire to restore South Beloit motivated her decision to run.

"I am running for mayor because I love the City of South Beloit and have always wanted to serve the community at a higher level," Redieske said. "Now, with my children all grown up and my business established, I have the time to do so."

A Deeply Rooted Family Tradition of Service

A 1995 graduate of South Beloit High School, Redieske’s commitment to her hometown spans decades. While attending cosmetology school, she coached high school cheerleading. Over the next quarter-century, she and her husband volunteered extensively with the South Beloit School District and the Stateline Boys & Girls Club before founding a local youth football program that continues to thrive today. Her husband, Josh, has served as a football coach in the school district since 2015 and currently serves as the varsity head coach.

Beyond youth athletics, Redieske has spent the last 15 years fundraising for local schools and played an active role on the planning committee for the city's Centennial celebration.

Her commitment to public service is also mirrored in her family. Her oldest son is pursuing a career in education and currently serves as a firefighter for the Rockton Fire Department. Her youngest son is a certified EMT and Advanced Firefighter serving on the Harlem-Roscoe Fire Department.

Key Priorities: Fire Department and Park Restoration

If elected, Redieske’s top priority is the continued rebuilding of the South Beloit Fire Department. The department has faced significant transition, notably returning to independent operations in April 2026 under Fire Chief Brian Kunce following the dissolution of a 2024 shared-service agreement with the Town of Beloit.

"My first priority will be continuing the restoration of our Fire Department," Redieske stated. "I want to see it return to the level of excellence it had 15 years ago. I am encouraged by the positive direction it is heading under Chief Brian Kunce’s leadership, and I look forward to building on that success."

Redieske also highlighted park restoration and community infrastructure as focal points of her campaign, outlining plans to:

• Revitalize the City Park: Repair existing park buildings, replace outdated playground equipment, restore the basketball and tennis courts, and bring athletic fields back into use.
• Maintain Infrastructure: Protect and maintain vital community landmarks, including the city park’s gazebo, restrooms, and bridge, while prioritizing road repairs.
• Improve State Highway Advocacy: Actively press the state of Illinois for prompt repairs on major thoroughfares like Blackhawk Boulevard and Gardner Street.

"Voters are calling for more transparency in local government, better roads, and the maintenance of our city park," Redieske said, noting that residents also want "an end to unnecessary harassment over minor issues such as parking and driveways."

Capitalizing on the "Exit One" Advantage

Redieske believes South Beloit is uniquely positioned for economic growth, pointing to its location at Interstate 90's Exit 1, its proximity to the city of Beloit, Wisconsin, and the regional casino development.

"Being Exit 1 is a huge advantage that we need to capitalize on," Redieske said. "With Exit 1 being such an appealing location, we need to make sure we are not driving away potential businesses."

She plans to leverage the city’s lower tax rate compared to neighboring communities to the south and highlight local natural assets, such as the lake and river, for community enjoyment.

"The way to attract businesses to the City of South Beloit is to create happy citizens and an inviting community," she added. "When people are proud of where they live and enjoy their community, it creates an environment where people want to invest."

Bringing Back Community Traditions

To foster civic pride, Redieske hopes to bring back a formal community festival to South Beloit. She currently organizes the annual "End of Summer Shindig" at Viking Lanes and intends to establish a dedicated city committee to plan future community-wide celebrations.

When asked if she is running alongside a slate of candidates, Redieske clarified that she is running an independent campaign.

"No, I am not running as part of a group," Redieske said. "I believe that I can work with whoever this community elects, and as mayor, my focus will be on working with the entire council and the community to move South Beloit forward."