DeKalb Mayor Greg Sparrow announced Monday he will seek re-election in April.

“I’m announcing today I will seek re-election to a third term as mayor of the city of DeKalb,” the 37-year-old mayor said. “I look forward to a spirited campaign.”

Sparrow, who is running as an independent, said that in his eight years as mayor, DeKalb’s unemployment has remained low, the property tax has remained low and the community has had increased economic development.

Elections for mayor, city clerk, and aldermen for 2nd, 4th and 6th wards will be held April 4. Candidates running for mayor and city clerk on an independent ticket must collect 111 to 177 signatures and turn them in to the DeKalb County Clerk’s office from Jan. 16 to 23. Democratic, Republican and other partisan candidates must file petitions from Dec. 12 to 19.

Sparrow, who is opposed in the mayoral race by 7th Ward Alderman Mark Powell, said his campaign will deal with issues.

“I’ve got a decade worth of experience in leadership, and I can point to the things which have been successes,” Sparrow said. “We have tackled issues such as budget, economic development and improvement to the infrastructure.”

Powell, however, criticized Sparrow’s vote this fall for a 25 percent salary increase for himself and a pension.

“I think the taxpayers of DeKalb should send a statement on April 4 that is ‘no’ to that type of regressive government,” Powell said. “What I will do (if elected mayor) is forego that (retirement pension).”

The position of mayor is part time, and Sparrow also teaches finance classes at NIU. He currently serves as a task force member on the U.S. Conference of Mayors and on the board of the Illinois Municipal League.

Sparrow graduated from NIU in 1978 with a bachelor of sciences degree in finance. In 1980, he received a master’s degree in business administration with an emphasis in finance.

While studying at NIU, he was a Student Association senator from 1978 to 1979. From 1979 to 1981, he served as DeKalb’s 7th ward alderman.