Steve Luecke

Stephen J. Luecke (born 1950) is an American politician who served as the 31st mayor of South Bend, Indiana, United States from 1997 to 2012. A member of the Democratic Party, he was the longest-serving mayor in the city's history.

Early life and education Luecke grew up in of Freeport, Illinois.

Luecke attended the University of Notre Dame and graduated from Fordham University.

During the Vietnam War, Luecke had been a conscientious objector.

Early career Before entering politics, Luecke worked first as a carpenter apprentice for four years.

Luecke opted against running for what would have been a fourth full (and fifth overall) term as mayor, making the 2011 South Bend mayoral election an open race to succeed him, and the first open mayoral election in South Bend in 24 years. Luecke abstained from endorsing any candidate ahead of the Democratic primary. The race to succeed Luecke was ultimately won by Pete Buttigieg.

Arts and culture

As mayor, Luecke envisioned South Bend as a regional center for arts and culture. He took actions which had generated a growth in the offerings of entertainment and dining in the city's downtown. Two studies conducted around 2007 had demonstrated that these efforts by Luecke were allowing the city to enjoy millions in economic spending. Other projects included redevelopment along West Washington Street.

By 2007, Luecke was proclaiming that the city had seen $1.3 billion in investments during his tenure.

Environment Luecke took some actions regarding the reducing city's harm to the environment.

In 2008, Luecke signed the U.S. Mayors Climate Protection Agreement.

In April 2009, Luecke launched the Green Ribbon Commission to issue recommendations regarding the city's environmental impact. In 2010, he established the Municipal Energy Office, which prioritizes environmental concerns such as energy efficiency, renewable energy, transportation efficiency and innovation, municipal regulation, and recycling and waste management. On his last day in office, Leucke's administration, on behalf of the city, signed a consent decree with the Environmental Protection Agency that the City of South Bend would make sewer improvements by 2031 that were projected to cost, altogether, $713 million. The "smart sewer" program was subsequently built upon substantially by his successor Buttigieg.

Parks and recreation Under Luecke, the city made a number of improvements to its parks and established new bike and pedestrian paths. The effort to build the station had begun planning in the mayoralty of Luecke's predecessor Joe Kernan. It opened without an originally-planned Amtrak station component.

Other Luecke worked to reduce the size of the city's government through staff reductions.

In 2005, when it appeared that the South Bend Silver Hawks were potentially leaving the city, Luecke pledged to make strong effort to keep minor league baseball in South Bend. Ultimately, a leadership group led by Joe Kernan stepped up to buy the team and keep it in the city.

In August 2009, Luecke announced an alliance between the city's five largest medical providers.

Luecke appointed many ethnic minorities to offices, including having African American appointees all heading the largest city departments during part of his tenure.

Post-mayoralty From 2013 until his retirement in 2017, Luecke was the executive director of the South Bend Alumni Association, which raises money to benefit South Bend schools. After retiring as executive director, he was named the association's board of trustees.

Luecke participated in developing the Near Northwest Neighborhood Quality of Life Plan in 2013 for Near Northwest Neighborhood, Inc.

In July 2014, Luecke joined his mayoral predecessor Joe Kernan and other South Bend community leaders in holding a press conference condemning the conduct of the South Bend Common Council.

Luecke serves as a commissioner on the Housing Authority of South Bend board. During part of his tenure on the board, he has served as its vice president.

In the 2019 South Bend mayoral election, Luecke endorsed his former special assistant Lynn Coleman in his, ultimately unsuccessful, bid for the Democratic nomination.

In November 2022, the City of South Bend added Luecke's name to the names of Brownfield Park and the Coal Line Trail, which were rededicated after him. Luecke is only the fourth mayor in the city to have a park named after him.

Electoral history Common Council

Mayoral 1999

2003

2007