About Nicki Sullivan

I grew up Northern Illinois and I’ve called Mundelein home for the last 13 years. My husband and I are raising four active kids who keep me closely connected to our local schools, youth activities, and the pulse of everyday family life. The relationships we’ve built with neighbors and the conversations we have around the dinner table keep me focused on what matters most: family and community.

What started as a place to settle down and raise a family quickly became a community that I care deeply about. Between school events, sports, and local projects like lake clean-ups and advocacy efforts, I’ve spent years working to strengthen the connections that make this such a special place to live.

I come from humble, hardworking roots. Both of my parents grew up on dairy farms, and I spent much of my own childhood there, learning firsthand the value of pitching in wherever help was needed. Those experiences shaped who I am: curious, optimistic, and not afraid to get my hands dirty. I believe in standing up for what’s right, even when it’s not easy and standing up for people, even when no one’s watching.

I’ve devoted my free time to serving on the Diamond Lake District 76 School Board, advocating for our schools, fighting for fair and responsible development, and building strong relationships with neighbors, community leaders, and elected officials. Making sure residents have a voice at every level of government is at the heart of how I view public service.

I’m known for being tenacious. I don’t give up when something matters. Whether it’s pushing for safer schools, fairer policies, or better communication between residents and local government, I dig in, ask questions, and keep working until we see results. That persistence is how I get things done and it’s exactly what I plan to continue doing on the Lake County Board: working for the changes that make life better for the people who live here.

 I’ve never been someone who sits on the sidelines when something needs to get done. If there’s a problem in front of me, I roll up my sleeves, listen, and work with others to find real solutions.

I believe good governance starts with listening to the people it serves. Fairness, transparency, and collaboration guide every decision I make, and I always start with one question: What’s best for the people who live here?

Serving on the Diamond Lake District 76 School Board for the past six years has shown me what can happen when decisions stay focused on people. During that time, we’ve made data-driven decisions that prioritize students, families, and taxpayers. We’ve implemented programs that support students’ academic, social-emotional, and behavioral success; consolidated campuses to make better use of resources; and created a Community Liaison role to connect families with vital support services. We’ve also strengthened student safety and improved communication between schools and residents, while collaborating with other local districts to reduce redundancies and stretch every tax dollar.

Our hard work paid off. Under our leadership, Diamond Lake was recognized as a Horizon National “School to Watch,” became one of the first districts in Illinois to achieve the Level 3 Marzano High Reliability Schools designation, and was named one of Fortune’s 2023 Best Places to Work in Chicago.

In 2024, I chaired the Citizens for Mundelein HSD 120 Referendum Committee, leading a grassroots campaign that secured overwhelming community support to invest in Mundelein High School’s future. It was an incredible example of what can happen when parents, educators, and residents come together around a shared goal.

Outside of education, I’ve taken that same hands-on, collaborative approach to other community priorities from road safety and responsible development to fair impact fee policies that protect taxpayers and schools. I also partnered with State Rep. Dan Didech and Senator Adriane Johnson to help pass a state law allowing homeowners to remove racially restrictive covenants from their property deeds - giving Illinois residents a tool to right a historic wrong.

In addition, I worked with neighbors, environmental experts, and the Mundelein Park District to create a task force called the Diamond Lake Alliance. We worked to protect and restore the health of Diamond Lake. Together, we developed a long-term plan that reduces chemical use and focuses on targeted, data-informed stewardship of our lake.

Whether it’s education, safety, fairness, or the environment, I approach every issue the same way: listen first, learn the details, and take action that makes a difference. I don’t give up when something matters and I’ll bring that same persistence, collaboration, and common-sense problem-solving to the Lake County Board to make life better for the people who live here.

 At my core, I believe public service is about leaving every place better than you found it, whether that’s a classroom, a neighborhood, or an entire community.

I value listening, collaboration, and persistence. I believe government works best when it’s transparent, accountable, and when decisions are made with care, honesty, and respect for the people they affect.

I also believe in personal freedom-that everyone should have the right to live fully as themselves, so long as it doesn’t harm others. Respect for individuality and compassion for one another are at the heart of a healthy, connected community.

I value diversity in all its forms because it makes us more interesting, more tolerant, and more human. Our differences give us strength, broaden our understanding, and help us build a community that reflects the best of who we are.

I believe in balance, protecting Lake County’s natural spaces and quality of life while supporting thoughtful, sustainable growth that benefits everyone. I believe in fairness, that every resident deserves a voice and a government that works for them. And I believe in community, built on small acts of service and shared responsibility.

Above all, I value family-the one I’m raising here and the larger one we form as a community. Family keeps me grounded, reminds me why I serve, and reflects the kind of care, connection, and responsibility I hope to bring to the Lake County Board.