Yorkville advocate announces mayoral bid, says residents needs ‘falling on deaf ears’

Yorkville resident Alicia Castillo has announced her candidacy for mayor, challenging incumbent John Purcell in the April 2027 municipal elections. Castillo, a vocal local activist, declared her bid at a 'Say No To Data Centers' protest, highlighting what she perceives as a disconnect between city officials and residents' needs. She criticizes the current administration's focus on corporate interests, specifically data center developments, over community issues like affordable housing, social services, high taxes, and local employment opportunities. Castillo advocates for a complete moratorium on data center construction, arguing that the city's allocation of 3,000 acres for such projects limits better land usage options that could benefit the community more broadly. She contends that data centers, while massive in size, do not produce the same robust economic development as residential subdivisions, recreation centers, or schools, and place an undue burden on homeowners with high utility bills. Her campaign is fueled by a desire to increase civic engagement and ensure residents' concerns are heard and acted upon. She also plans to repeal the city's 'anti-homeless ordinance' if elected. Notably, the City Council recently announced it no longer supports new data center projects beyond three large ones already approved, a decision that aligns with some of Castillo's criticisms.