A graduate of Lockport High School and North Central College, Mikan worked at a family-owned insurance agency before winning the county executive post. He served as county auditor from 1988 to 1992 and ran for county board in 1998. After serving two years, he decided to run for the top spot. He and his wife, Lynn, have three boys and live in Lockport along 135th Street, which is slated for future widening. Mikan can relate, he says, to the passion airport talks invoke among landowners near Peotone.
Aides are more direct.
Overall, Republicans seem pleased with their new leader. He's never a knee-jerk reactor. Hugh Stipan, former Will County Republican Party chairman and Frankfort Township trustee, said Mikan's quiet demeanor is a advantage. People who orate to the crowds don't have time to listen to the people.