FPR Election Guide 2023

Kris Sagan Linda Rooney

Kyra Pych

Erika Villegas, Managing Broker/Owner Mike Becker Laurie Christofano Marion Digre Morgan Digre Leticia Cruz Oak Park $220,000 2BR, 1BA Call Marion Oak Park $139,000 1BR, 1BA Call Marion

River Forest $589,000 3BR, 3BA Call Jane

Forest Park $295,000 Vacant land Call Jane River Grove $125,000 1BR, 1BA Call Marion

Chicago $275,000 2BR, 1BA Call Jane

Forest Park $109,900 1BR, 1BA Call Mike

Oak Park $434,000 3BR, 1.1BA Call Kris UNDER CONTRACT

UNDER CONTRACT

It ’s time to vote. Here’s what you need to know

All democracy is local

And as Forest Park moves toward the Spring elections for village and school leaders the Forest Park Review is o ering you this Election Guide. That coverage comes in print today and, more expansively at ForestParkReview.com.

This year we have pro led almost every candidate in a contested election. We also partnered with the Chamber of Commerce on a candidate forum -- live and recorded – for mayor and commissioner. Over 200 people turned out.

We’ve also sent detailed questionnaires to ever y candidate in a contested race. The answers to our questions are presented here in this Election Guide, which was designed by Javier Govea, our editorial design manager.

Let’s start with the candidates.

There is something brave and generous, only occasionally ego-driven, that leads a local person to run for local ofce. We’ve been watching for 43 years and our observation

is that with a dud once in a while, with people we have disagreed with on policy, that in our non-partisan elections almost all candidates run because they care about the high school or the parks, have a vision for the librar y, are committed to better village services or holding taxes or growing equity. Or all of the above

As you read these pages of questions and answers from each of these candidates know that there is a lot on the line this year. Your vote truly matters.

Do you plan to early vote? The details on how to do it are just below.

And don’t miss the digital version of this Election Guide at ForestParkReview.com. The Q&As are there in longer versions. Thanks to Stacy Coleman, our digital manager, for building out that sites.

Finally, this expanded coverage is possible because of a donation to our Growing Community Media nonpro t from the Good Hear t Work Smart Foundation It has

Almost time for early voting

Here’s how and when you can vote

For the April 4 Consolidated Election – school board, village boards, park and library boards -- early voting starts March 20 and continues through April 3.

Courtesy of the Cook County Clerk’s o ce we have all the early voting locations in our area and the hours when you can vote

What do you need to vote early?

Voters do not need to provide an excuse or reason why they cannot vote on Election Day.

Government-issued photo ID is not required but is helpful if there is a question about the voter’s registration, address or signature. Providing an ID can also speed up the process because we have ID card readers at every check-in station.

You can also register to vote at all the early voting sites. However,

any voter who needs to register for the rst time or le an address change must present two forms of ID, one of which shows the voter’s current address.

Voting equipment

Early voting is conducted on touch screens that store every ballot style in the county, permitting any voter in suburban Cook to vote at any location. Your ballot will remain secret and securely stored.

Early voting records

The names of all early voters are available to the public and are updated each day during Early Voting. Please call (312) 603-0900 for early voting information.

In-person voting only

Voters who participate in early voting must vote in person.

allowed us not only to fund our election reporting and create this guide but also to widely increase our circulation for this issue of the Forest Park Review

We are mailing a paper this week to many, many additional Forest Park apar tments, condos and single-family homes. These are people who do not regularly receive the paper. We hope they will be motivated to vote, and, yes, we hope they will consider subscribing to our week ly print edition or become a donor on our digital side.

This election is in your hands. Educate yourselves on the issues and the candidates. And then seize the power of your vote.

Dan Haley EDITOR AND PUBLISHER Growing Community Media

Jessica Mackinnon ELEC TION COORDINATO R Forest Park Review

EARLY VOTING LO CATIONS (APRIL 4, 2023 C ONSOLIDATED GENERAL ELECTION)

OAK PARK VILLAGE HALL 123 MADISON ST OAK PARK, IL 60302

MAYWOOD COURTHOUSE (WHITCOMB BUILDING), ROOM 104 1311 MAYBROOK SQUARE MAYWOOD, IL 60153

ELMWOOD PARK

BERWYN CITY HALL 6700 W. 26TH ST. BERWYN, IL 60402

Why we no longer endorse candidates

Since 2020 Growing Community Media has been a nonpro t news organization. Because of that change we operate under regulations set by the Internal Revenue Service. Among those IRS require-

ments is the rule that as a nonpartisan 501(c)3 nonpro t that we are no longer permitted to endorse speci c candidates for o ce

That ended our long-standing process of interviewing all local

candidates and o ering endorsements. In lieu of that we have stepped up our information gathering and reporting on the candidates and are presenting that to voters in this Election Guide.

SEE COMPLETE ELECTION GUIDE ONLINE

The early voting locations listed here are for Suburban Cook County voters only If you live in the City of Chicago please visit chicagoelections.gov for their Early Voting locations.

Do you believe Forest Park should actively pursue acquisition of the former U.S. Army Reserve site on Roosevelt Road? If so, what do you believe would be the best use of this property and what do you think should be the minimum bid for its purchase?

Yes. The next Village Council of Forest Park should pursue the former Army Reserve site. There are a number of potential uses. The president of a local automotive dealership once suggested that his company would want to purchase it from the village if the village were to acquire it. It could also be attractive to residential developers as there continues to be a demand for senior housing.

A reasonable price will be determined upon further study. There may be environmental contaminants present. I would like to see it transferred to the village for a nominal amount. I believe that the village can work with state and federal partners to arrive at a purchase structure that does not involve the “property exchange” scheme that the Army Reserve proposed last summer

I have shared the village’s intention to pursue the former Army Reserve site with the head of the Illinois Finance Authority (IFA). He indicated that the IFA could provide nancing for the acquisition. Senate President Don Harmon’s chief of sta is also fully apprised that the village may pursue the property. She indicated that President Harmon would assist us in obtaining grants to help clean up the site and prepare it for development. Additionally, Illinois House Speaker Welch and I have spoken about the property. He also supports our acquisition of the site. Finally, the village has spoken with Sen. Dick Durbin’s sta about ways to nd an alternative to the Army Corp of Engineers’ preferred “property exchange” scheme. In my second term, I will continue working with Sen. Durbin to help the village acquire the site.

FOREST PARK MAYOR (2 C ANDIDATES FOR 1 OPEN SEAT)

What do you believe is the greatest commercial development opportunity in Forest Park?

The single most signi cant commercial development opportunity for the village is the present opportunity to join the nearby enterprise zone. An enterprise zone is a geographic area that has been granted special tax breaks, regulatory exemptions, or other public assistance in order to encourage private economic development and job creation.

Over the last few months, I have spoken with stakeholders in the nearest enterprise zone to gauge whether they would let Forest Park join the Maywood-Melrose Park Enterprise Zone. They have assured me that their communities will allow us to join the enterprise zone. In order for us to join the enterprise zone, each community’s corporate board must pass a resolution granting Forest Park entry Then, our Village Council would have to pass a resolution stating that Forest Park wants to be part of the enterprise zone. Once all of the required governmental resolutions have been passed, the administrator of the enterprise zone must submit an application to the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity.

Our inclusion in the enterprise zone will lower costs associated with the anticipated development of the new automotive dealership to be located at the vacant space at Roosevelt and Desplaines. It will also lower the costs for any developments that may commence at the Altenheim property and at the former Army Reserve site. Finally, inclusion in the enterprise zone may also lower the costs to build out the anticipated cannabis dispensary (to be located on Madison St.) that is projected to generate approximately $400,000 in annual sales tax revenues

The candidate’s responses have been edited for print. The full unedited responses can be found online at: Fo restparkreview.com/2023-election-guide/

Do you believe Forest Park should actively pursue acquisition of the former U.S. Army Reserve site on Roosevelt Road? If so, what do you believe would be the best use of this property and what do you think should be the minimum bid for its purchase?

I believe the Village is not in the nancial position to purchase this property I strongly believe that the Village can use its network to nd a developer for this land, leveraging the resources that come with professional municipal planning companies to ensure this large site, on a major commercial corridor, is developed into retail use space that produces economic bene t, such as retail sales tax, for our Village. In the past the Village developed an introductory plan for this property and I would like to bring this to the attention of the Village Council for a more in-depth, and targeted, discussion.

What do you believe is the minimum portion of the Altenheim property that should be preserved as green space for public use? Is the park district the best option for building out and operating that space or do you believe that there are better options?

Deindustrialization and deeper rural expansion driven by COVID19 pandemic housing ight patterns have left many American cities with thousands of vacant properties In fact, one analysis identi ed 60 cities with at least two vacant properties for every 1,000 residents. More than just an eyesore, vacant or abandoned properties can a ect residents’ physical and mental health conditions, and have been associated with neighborhood gun violence. The “broken window” theory provides a framework for understanding how vacant properties a ect the larger community. Vacant properties weaken social ties and the deterioration of both physical buildings and relationships comes to symbolize a lack of accountability. This theory helps explain why the same

neighborhoods struggling with urban decay and vacant properties often face a higher risk of gun violence.

Forest Park is in a unique position to combat all of this by putting the park back in Forest Park. When other municipalities attempt the remediation of these situations, the landscaping process is called “greening”, which involves clearing debris, planting grass and trees, and adding public places for residents to gather and connect. While I will always believe that “Greener is Better”, and am a strong advocate for green spaces and the e ect such spaces have on a community, I can speak rst-hand to say the Park District of Forest Park is not interested in taking ownership of this space. The Park District would, however, be interested in partnering with the Village of Forest Park to support developing a plan for how we can best use the space. If elected mayor I would strongly encourage a collaboration of this caliber Additionally, and as I’ve noted previously, I rmly believe there is no greater team than the team of residents most directly impacted by a decision of this sort and before I could ever reasonably state a de nitive plan for this Altenheim Property a legitimate, unbiased, and special interest-free series of Town Hall meetings, commissions, and resident information forums would have to be introduced. I believe, and in many ways know, that the social bene ts of connecting with one another through community spaces, such as parks and green space, is a core value of this great Village. This Altenheim property is a once in a generation opportunity for Forest Park to ensure our village’s legacy is solidi ed, but no singular government o cial, mayor or otherwise, should make this decision without the input of the people who call Forest Park home.

The candidate’s responses have been edited for print. The full unedited responses can be found online at: Fo restparkreview.com/2023-election-guide/

RORY HOSKINS

JOHN DOSS

FOREST PARK VILL AGE BOARD (6 CANDIDATES FOR 4 OPEN SEATS)

Do you believe Forest Pa should actively pursue acquisition of the former U.S. Army Reserve site on Roosevelt Road? If so, what do you be lieve would be the best use of this property and what do yo think should be the minimum bid for its purchase?

I do believe we should explore our options anywhere in town but especially on Roosevelt Rd I think the site is an asset and as a council see what is the best use. The land should be tested to nd out if there are any contaminants that would then need remediation then a much better cost analysis could be done to gure out a minimum bid

What do you believe is the greatest commercial development oppor tunity in Forest Park?

Our single greatest development in Forest Park is our Downtown Business District. Always has and always will. Harlem and Roosevelt corridors are important also, the DBD is our heart and soul

What do you believe is the minimum portion of the Altenheim property that should be preserved as green space for public use?

Is the park district the best option for building out and operating that space or do you believe that there are better options? Absolutely, green space is key. It would be great to team up with the park district but at the moment they are pretty busy doing great things! So, I believe the village can gure out creative ways to ll the space.

How do you de ne racial equity in municipal government? Do you believe it should be a priority?

Cambridge Dictionary De nes racial equality as a noun: A situation in which people of all races are treated fairly and in the same way

Treating all people fairly should always be a priorit y, that’s just me. In a community that is forever evolving, such as ours, it is

important that our elected ofcials represent all people.

How should Forest Park balance public safety conerns with making policing more equitable and community-engaged?

Public Safety should always be the #1 priority. Being equitable and engaged in the community should also take some priority. I truly believe our Police Depar tment does a stellar job at both.

Do you view as an impediment the fact that Forest Park does not have home rule? Do you think Forest Park should seek home rule authority?

No, I don’t think it impedes Forest Park I don’t think we should seek home rule. The form we use seems to work well in our history.

Do you believe that the commission form of government is preferable for Forest Park in comparison to a city manager form?

In our history, it has served us well as a community. As with anything, if people don’t work together nothing will work. I think for us this system works

What role do you think village commissioners should play in the operations of the village government? Do you believe that the current mayor and commissioners should have active authority in the operations of the departments to which they are assigned?

A commissioner ’s job is to be invested in the community at large while focusing on the department that they oversee. Listening to sta ’s knowledge of their trades and the insights they bring to the village. Being thoroughly informed is key, too. I believe it works if you work it. When things are done with the right intent, it all makes sense.

The candidate’s responses have been edited for print. The full unedited responses can be found online at: Fo restparkreview.com/2023-election-guide/

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A safe & smart choice.

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Choosing a community you can trust has never been more difficult.

Choosing a community you can trust has never been more important.

Choosing a community you can trust has never been more difficult.

Our community has an impeccable record of safety during the COVID-19 crisis and we will stop at nothing to make sure it continues.

Our community has an impeccable record of safety during the COVID-19 crisis and we will stop at nothing to make sure it continues.

Our community has an impeccable record of safety during the COVID-19 crisis and we will stop at nothing to make sure it continues.

We would be honored for your family to be part of ours.

We would be honored for your family to be part of ours.

We would be honored for your family to be part of ours.

99% OF OUR CALEDONIA STAFF IS VACCINATED

RYAN R. RUSS

Do you view as an impediment the fact that Forest Park does not have home rule? Do you think Forest Park should seek home rule authority?

Not having home rule cer tainly is an impediment to Forest Park because we are limited in our abilit y to nance the day-to -day operations of the village Home rule would open up new revenue sources. The central issue when it comes to home rule, however, is always trust; opponents of it of ten worr y about, and there is a potential threat of, over taxation and an undue burden placed on residents. But home rule also a ords the opportunity to shift the tax burden away from residents, because other avenues of taxation are opened, including special use taxes and transfer taxes. (In Oak Park, for example, the village makes $8 per $1,000 on all properties sold.) A home rule referendum failed in Forest Park in 2001. But according to the Forest Park R eview, only a small number of voters par ticipated in the process ( just over 2,000). As with changing our form of government, I think it is time to take a hard look at the pros and cons and hold communit y learning sessions and discussion to determine if this is the best way forward for Forest Park .

FOREST PARK VILL AG E BOARD (6 C ANDIDATES FOR 4 OPEN SEATS )

nance, even if that person has never taken a nance class or looked at a spreadsheet. The same holds true for other departments; someone with zero background in building and zoning, for example, can become the boss of Public Health and Safety, with the authority to make day-today decisions on how the department director and employees per form their jobs. Having a commissioner in charge of a department even if they know nothing about the eld can create a toxic environment in which a seasoned and experienced department head is being told what to do by an elected ofcial with potentially no experience in the eld. Department heads and sta are hired and retained based on their ability to per form their jobs, and our department heads are exceptional. They should not have to worr y about getting a new boss ever y four years. Rather, commissioners (or trustees, as we would most likely have if we changed to a di erent form of government) should set policy but not be awarded administrative control over “their ” depar tments.

SEE CANDIDATES’ COMPLETE ANSWERS AND BIOS ONLINE

What do you believe is the greatest commercial development opportunity in Forest Park?

It is exceedingly di cult to pick just one. Both the Harlem Avenue and Roosevelt Road sections of Forest Park are key locations for commercial development. Additionally, over the last 4 years Madison Street (DBD) has seen meaningful change and improvement. New businesses have come to Forest Park and have helped to rejuvenate the DBD. Our Chamber of Commerce has been working hard and closely with the depar tment heads and elected o cials to make this happen.

land has been cleaned up and freed from the crumbling abandoned buildings that once occupied the site and provides a unique opportunity for development.

Do you view as an impediment the fact that Forest Park does not have home rule? Do you think Forest Park should seek home rule authority?

Do you believe that the commission form of government is preferable for Forest Park in comparison to a city manager form?

No. The commission form of government inappropriately gives commissioners administrative authority over a depar tment, regardless of their experience in that area. Traditionally, the top vote - getter in a commissioner election is o ered the position of Commissioner of Accounts and Fi-

To say that traditionally commissioners have respected boundaries ignores the fact that the potential for abuse and mismanagement is inherent within this form of government. And the truth is that there are commissioners whose active attempts to manage their departments, though technically allowed, has at times created toxic situations for depar tment heads, sta , and even residents.

The candidate’s responses have been edited for print. The full unedited responses can be found online at: forestparkreview.com/2023-election-guide/

Harlem Avenue has seen positive change and we want to continue that trend. Once vacant properties or diminishing business have now seen new life. Taco bell, Mr. Beef and Pizza, and Chipotle have been the most recent additions to Harlem Avenue. Moving forward, the former locations of CVS, Bed Bath & Beyond, as well as the vacant property at Harlem and Harvard will be the new focus. Finding new ways to make Forest Park more attractive to potential buyers will be a priority for the current and newly elected administration. One idea that has been discussed is the opportunity for Forest Park to look at joining other communities and adopting an Enterprise Zone Program. Enterprise Zones are geographic regions that are granted special status to encourage development and economic growth. (“Southland Enterprise Zones — CSEDCWorks.org”) The zones may be subject to favorable tax rates, regulatory exemptions, or other incentives to encourage businesses to stay in Forest Park or Locate to Forest Park.

Roosevelt road is no exception to opportunities for improvement. The former Hobo location also provides an attractive opportunity.

Lastly, the Altenheim property is the most publicized parcel of land in Forest Park and is ready for development. I am excited to digest the ndings and recommendations of the Altenheim Advisory Committee. This parcel of

Home Rule authority often gets bad press because it is associated with raising taxes. Pursuing Home Rule in Forest Park a ords us the opportunity to streamline our operations and be more e cient, while at the same time opening doors to new revenue streams. Communities with fewer than 25,001 residents can become home rule by passing a local referendum. This was attempted in Forest Park once before and failed. Presenting the opportunities Home Rule would provide the Village of Forest Park in a clear and transparent fashion would help to educate the residents of the bene ts. It is important to know all the facts so a decision can be made for the greater good of the Village

What role do you think village commissioners should play in the operations of the village government? Do you believe that the current mayor and commissioners should have active authority in the operations of the departments to which they are assigned?

Elected o cials are policy makers and the voice of the residents. The elected o cials should be actively engaged with the department heads. This is necessary to gain insight into the diverse topics brought before the council members. The elected o cials must be informed on the issues so decisions can be made to move the Village forward. Having open and honest dialogue with each department head Provides the framework for good decision making.

The candidate’s responses have been edited for print. The full unedited responses can be found online at: forestparkreview.com/2023-election-guide/

MARIA MAXHAM

RYAN NERO

FOREST PARK VILL AGE BOARD (6 CANDIDATES FOR 4 OPEN SEATS)

Do you believe Forest Pa should actively pursue acquisition of the former U.S. Ar Reser ve site on Roosevelt Road? If so, what do you lieve would be the best use of this property and what do you think should be the minimum bid for its purchase?

I believe the village should continue to monitor the US Army reser ve site as a potential future asset. It is important to thoughtfully consider the opportunity, which includes due diligence as it relates to the environmental condition of the property

It is important to note that the Village has been looking to acquire this property for decades. A grant from the Illinois Depar tment of Commerce and Economic Opportunity helped the Village complete the FP Army Site Redevelopment Planning Study in 2012. That study said, “Forest Park is wise to be pursuing this long-term planning for this important geographic area within the municipality.”

It is also wor th noting that the Forest Park Comprehensive Plan says of the property : “The Village should explore further opportunities for continuing discussions with the federal govt to explore the redevelopment of the army reser ve center...If these properties become available, consideration should be made for pedestrian friendly development, along with the potential to generate additional revenue.”

-Village Comprehensive Plan, pg 83

A TIF district was created around this area with the goal of unifying the look of the Roosevelt Road corridor with streetscape upgrades. Improvements were made with the anticipation of future development of the Army Reserve site. Ultimately, I believe we should continue to monitor the site. There are many unanswered questions, a big one being the environmental state of the land, so it would be premature to speculate on a purchase price. That said, the Village’s acquisition of this property could provide some exciting op-

portunities for the future of ForPark. The Village could build a new municipal complex, crepedestrian friendly greense, or lease land to casual dining restaurants. Development must be strategic, with a focus on sustainable uses while maintaining Roosevelt Rd as an economic engine. The Village must nd that ideal balance between pragmatism and innovation.

What do you believe is the greatest commercial development opportunity in Forest Park?

The way folks shop, work, and enjoy their free time has changed dramatically in the last few years. Because of those changes, I don’t think there is a clear “single greatest commercial development” for Forest Park. I believe the greatest commercial development opportunity is to challenge the status quo. The Village must think about the big picture, about market trends and how innovation, equity, and sustainability are integral to successful development in the 21st centur y. We must consider how polic y, infrastructure, and updates to village code and zoning are all vital to commercial development and investment. I t is important we celebrate and protect our “small town charm” while we embrace innovation and development that provides long-term, sustainable growth for Forest Park.

Updating our Comprehensive Plan is crucial to successful commercial developments. In tandem with updating The Plan, the Village should explore creating an Economic Development Opportunity Plan, as recommended in 2014. This would outline goals, strategies, policies, and actions designed to support existing businesses, while attracting new commercial ventures and promoting growth.

JESSIC A VOOGD The candidate’s responses have been edited for print. The full unedited responses can be found online at: Fo restparkreview.com/2023-election-guide/

What do you believe is the minimum por tion of the Altenheim property that should be preserved as green space for public use?

Is the park district the best option for building out and operating that space or do you believe that there are better options?

I believe there is a great opportunity for a balanced approach to developing the Altenheim property. One that marries the natural landscape with the potential for raising tax revenue for the community. With the 11 acres of land available, the majority would be dedicated to a beautiful green space, including walking paths and a garden area.

A bene t that should be incorporated into the design, should be access to the Prairie Path. I often ride my bike on this path to the neighboring western suburbs. The locations along the path become destinations where I spend a good amount of time in their downtown areas. We could integrate the path strategically, so that our local establishments also become destinations for fellow suburban path riders.

Furthermore, I would be interested in looking at developing some of that space to potentially create an arts distric t. We could o er temporary and/or permanent space based on seasonality and needs. This opportunity would o er art fairs, farmer markets, pop up shops, and more to support small and local businesses in our community. The balance of the property would potentially be townhomes and/ or mid-rise condominiums. These units could be done tastefully and resemble the projects already built on Van Buren Street.

FOREST PARK VILL AG E BOARD (6 C ANDIDATES FOR 4 OPEN SEATS )

good example of why the village should not be in the business of purchasing land. Here we are 20 years later, and we are still debating about the best use of this property We are throwing away $300,000 a year of our already limited resources, to decide the future of this property. We could have zoned per our intended use and this land could have been sold to a private developer, where we would have generated an immediate stimulus and secured long term tax revenue.

How should Forest Park balance public safety concerns with making policing more equitable and communityengaged?

What do you believe is the greatest commercial develop ment opportunity in For Park?

I don’t tend to put my eggs in one basket – something always breaks.

SEE CANDIDATES’ COMPLETE ANSWERS AND BIOS ONLINE

As an enrollee in the Citizens Police Academy, I am learning about the balance of public safety concerns, while also making policing more equitable and community- engaged in Forest Park. I believe in fostering a community that has meaningful and trusting relationships with the citizens and the police force. Our community has speci c challenges we need address. We must prioritize mental health, drug abuse and homelessness in our community. Our police o cers are acutely aware of these needs. I want to nd innovative and productive ways to support them. Forest Park currently has a mental health professional on sta for two days a week. I propose we increase that to 5 days to relieve some of their duties, and to provide targeted solutions. We also need to encourage relevant training to per form their job e ectively. Let’s ensure our citizens are heard by developing a community oversight committee.

In talking to residents and business owners over the past year, I heard over and over again to heighten the “walkability of Madison Street.” Seeing increased business on Madison street has been incredibly impor tant, especially during the years of the pandemic, when other towns have been losing businesses. Some have wondered how we can bring retailers to increase our uniqueness and small-town charm –unique makers that bring shoppers. Forest Park has many women-owned businesses and businesses owned by people of color, and we could continue to capitalize on that uniqueness.

Building on this, I want to add an innovation hub to Forest Park, where companies would be able to test their products with shoppers (there are pop-up stores like this on the north side and downtown Chicago for elite brands, it would be great to do this with west side brands to make Forest Park a destination). It ’s a taste of what they do in the Fulton market.

How should Forest Park balance public safety concerns with making policing more equitable and community- engaged?

insight into our police o cers’ roles in the community. I want ensure that our community has opportunities to engage with the Forest Park police and e when they can interac t with the public and answer questions – but that means we need to ll vacant spots.

My experience with our rst responders has been exceptional. I contacted the Forest Park police when a young man was wandering on my street who was delusional, unsure where he was. He had heatstroke and had not showered. He was going to people’s doors to determine if he lived there. I gave him a sandwich and water (with a friend) and walked with him until the police came, and I was so impressed with the o cer ’s gentle and caring response.

What role do you think village commissioners should play in the operations of the village government? Do you believe that the current mayor and commissioners should have active authority in the operations of the departments to which they are assigned?

SEE CANDIDATES’ COMPLETE ANSWERS AND BIOS ONLINE

At this time, the park distric t’s resources are spread thin, and I believe they should not be further burdened with the build out and operations of this space.

The Altenheim property provides a

The candidate’s responses have been edited for print. The full unedited responses can be found online at: Fo restparkreview.com/2023-election-guide/

We’re in a time where our rst responders are still recovering their sta ng levels from before the pandemic. This is true for both our police and re department in Forest Park, as well as our ambulance services which have just been brought in-house for the rst time in a long time. These folks are handling a lot across the village and helping other villages. It ’s an important context to keep in mind.

The community policing academy has been very well received. I’ve heard great things about this program and how the participants have appreciated gaining

My understanding of the Illinois statute, which I’ve read that establishes the form of government for villages, towns, etc., speci es the job description for each commissioner; it doesn’t specify how they are to be carried out. In other words, each elected o cial has discretion regarding how they work with the sta in their depar tment. Said another way, there are many ways to be a colleague. One can micromanage, or one can collaborate. Given that Forest Park is a village where the department heads have so much experience, often decades, I would incline to approach the work in a highly collaborative manner with a growth mindset.

The candidate’s responses have been edited for print. The full unedited responses can be found online at: Fo restparkreview.com/2023-election-guide/

MICHELLE MELINROGOVIN

JOE LANGREBE

In your opinion, what have been speci c accomplishments made by District 209 over the past two years?

1. The perseverance of the students, teachers, sta , and administrators to maintain student involvement and achievement during a global pandemic. My own son graduated from PMSA in 2021 and I was appreciative of all the e orts that were made to help make his senior year the best it could be under the circumstances

2. The maintaining and enhancing of facilities has been an accomplishment. As a PE alumna, it was a very beautiful moment to attend the new football eld dedication and step on that eld. My pride was heightened!

3. The initiatives to involve parents and community members in the district. As a parent, I appreciate the “open door” that has been presented so when I have the time, I am able to be as active as I choose in my daughter’s high school endeavors

D209 Superintendent Dr. James Henderson has had supporters and critics since his appointment. Please provide your opinion of his performance, including his relationship with faculty, communications with parents and the community, and his management of the district through a pandemic.

I, honestly, do not have an opinion of Dr. Henderson because I have not had an opportunity to get to know him well enough. As a Board Member, it will be a goal to get to know him and work with him to ensure that policies and procedures are equitable and bene cial for students, rst and foremost

As a board member, how would you respond to complaints and protests brought by students concerned with their education?

As a Board member, I am going to encourage students to express themselves in a positive and productive way. We have learned from di erent leaders ways to ght

D209 BOARD OF EDUC ATION (8 C ANDIDATES FOR 3 OPEN SEATS )

and protest so that our voices can be heard. I will respond to respectful complaints and protests with a listening ear and will encourage students, and adults as well, to come to the table not with just complaints and problems, but with feasible solutions.

Do you believe that the strike by teachers last year was unavoidable? How do you believe the district bene ted by the strike’s resolution?

I believe that a strike is always unavoidable. I have been in education contract negotiations and used the Interest Based Bargaining (IBB) method so as a Board Member, I would suggest this format in the future as I saw it yielded positive results. As an Educator for 25 years, I have never been on strike. I was Vice President of my union and always made e or ts to listen, pick the impor tant battles, and be cooperative in all situations. I do not believe anyone bene ted from the strike or its resolution simply because it still bears a heavy weight on our district.

If you are elected to what continues to be a divided school board, what skills would you bring to governing productively?

The most important skill I bring is my ability to e ectively communicate (speaking and listening). I am connected to the di erent stakeholders as I am a parent, educator, community member, administrator, and alumna. I can speak with the voice of all these groups and listen with my ear as well. As a Board Member, I want to be a par t of what is good and working in D209. I am a product and parent of this district and I want to help paint a more positive pic ture for the world to see by working with my fellow Board Members and Superintendent.

In your opinion, what have been speci c accomplishments made by District 209 over the past two years?

They have done a tremendous job cutting expenses--to the detriment of the quality of the education our students have been receiving, and the resources provided to our teachers. To that end, I feel that the most signi cant accomplishment this administration has achieved lies in the unprecedented and utter mismanagement of our school district, funded of course, by us, the taxpayers. I mean to say that the superintendent has successfully alienated our teachers, demoralized both the students and faculty of Proviso, and destroyed, in record time, what took eight years to build. The incompetence of the sitting board majority, as well as of the superintendent himself has left the district in shambles. This must change.

D209 Superintendent Dr. James Henderson has had supporters and critics since his appointment. Please provide your opinion of his performance, including his relationship with faculty, communications with parents and the community, and his management of the district through a pandemic.

In all of my career, I have never seen such blatant ignorance, mismanagement, incompetence, and worst of all such little integrity as exhibited by Dr. James Henderson. This level of corruption and dishonesty is unfamiliar to me. His relationship to the faculty is toxic, he is unresponsive to parents, and misleading to the community at large. His management of the district, through his cutting of student services, doing away with support sta and security, have left the teachers and the students scrambling and vulnerable. This was especially true during the reopening following the pandemic when we saw an unprecedented increase in violence and mayhem in all three schools as only one of the many grave consequences I fear

will plague our community for the years to come. I feel that his emoval of the majority of deans, ounselors, and mental health sta was the main fuel to re this issue with the reopening

Do you believe that the strike teachers last year was avoidable? How do you believe the district bene ted by its resolution?

I don’t believe the strike was unavoidable under the conditions imposed on our faculty by the superintendent, these being the withholding of a fair and equitable o er on the part of the administration from the beginning. The bene ts seen by the district came in the form of tremendous savings stemming from the lowering of educational quality seen in all three schools. Ultimately, I do not believe that the district really bene ted in any way, much less our student body and faculty.

If you are elected to what continues to be a divided school board, what skills would you bring to governing productively?

As a business owner, I have extensive experience in budgeting, accounting, nance, contract negotiations, litigation, amongst many other things. I plan to implement a cost saving strategy that maximizes the quality of the educational environment experienced by our students This strategy would include the increasing of teacher and support sta retention, which would e ectively stabilize the learning environment and give students consistency throughout their day at school. Any cost savings can be used to develop additional extracurricular and educational programs that would enrich the learning experience of all students. Such programs would include areas of study in the arts, music, and even participation in physical activities.

JAYDA JAMES JON KUBRICHT

SEE CANDIDATES’ COMPLETE ANSWERS AND BIOS ONLINE

SEE CANDIDATES’ COMPLETE ANSWERS AND BIOS ONLINE

The candidate’s responses have been edited for print. The full unedited responses can be found online at: forestparkreview.com/2023-election-guide/

The candidate’s responses have been edited for print. The full unedited responses can be found online at: forestparkreview.com/2023-election-guide/

In your opinion, what have been speci c accomplishments made by D209 over the past two years?

We’ve had several signi cant and, in some cases, historic accomplishments over the past two years, including:

■ We are proud of the fact that this is the first time in ten years Proviso East has been removed from the list of lowest performing high schools in Illinois

■ District 209 will generate $71 million for capital improvements during FY 24/25 at no tax rate impact to our community, no impact to operating funds, and no impact to our fund balance

■ We have a $82 million fund balance at an extremely low 2% tax rate - which is very low compared to many of our neighboring districts

■ The International Baccalaureate Diploma Program will have opportunities on all three campuses

■ Evening school to increase graduation rate and focus on college, careers with the intent to decrease drop-out rates

■ Eight-period day schedule established at all three schools for Academic Equity

■ First phase of facility upgrades - completed $12 million on time and on budget

■ PMSA ranked sixth in the State of Illinois by U.S. News and World Report.

■ Freshmen on track to graduate has increased significantly from 68% to 85%, the biggest jump ever in D209

■ Quality of life and academic environment upgrades targeting our HVAC system to bring air conditioning to all floors of all buildings, townshipwide by the end of 2024.

■ Transportation available for PMSA families for the first time in the school’s history.

■ Advance manufacturing: metals, welding; students receive credentials to work in the industry, giving them necessary hands-on experience

■ Launched “Parents on Patrol,’ an initiative that placed parents in our campus hallways

■ The “Northbound Train to Greatness” newsletter offers insights and information on what ’s happening in and around D209.

■ Robust Summer School Program for credit recovery and graduation goals

■ Communication Internship Program - intro-

DISTRIC T 209 (8 C ANDIDATES FOR 3 OPEN SEATS )

ducing students to the world of public relations

■ New beautiful state-of-the-art football stadium and NCAA-compatible outdoor track at Proviso East.

■ The Illinois State Seal of Biliteracy - presented at graduation in recognition of attaining a high level of proficiency in English and one or more additional languages

As a board member, how would you respond to complaints and protests brought by students concerned with their education?

To me, a students voice is of the utmost importance, this is the reason I am here, so my ultimate goal is to insure that I listen attentively to students and the community. If something is bothering our students I am and have always been approachable and have always had time to talk with a student and/or a parent. Our students know that I also support them. I support them by attending rst day of school, Bring your Parent to School Day, athletic events, plays, NJROTC Ball, NJROTC Inspections and etc. Some even call me Mother Theresa because of my listening ear and compassion for all children. Students and parents have direct access to the board of Education members and they have direct access to the superintendent.

If you are elected to what continues to be a divided school board, what skills would you bring to governing productively?

Let me break the misconception that some people have. A divided board is not necessarily a bad thing. Abraham Lincoln had a team of rivals in his cabinet. Sometimes you need di erentiating opinions to help add balance to the board. In the end, we are working on one accord and we will continue to work for the betterment of the district. We’ve had several accomplishments over the last two years. I believe we can accomplish more as a team working for the community.

As a board member, how would you respond to complaints and protests brought by students concerned with their education? Students are the voice we need to listen to.  As a long-time educator and advocate, I have always listened to our students, met with them, and heard their concerns They live the policies we enact. As a local school board, we are required to adopt and enforce all policies necessary for the management and governance of the public schools.  Our written policies guide the board, which directs and empowers the superintendent to function as chief executive o cer in managing day-to-day district operations. The current board majority does not follow through on any of the policy violations committed by the superintendent.  Accountability is essential to maintain a studentcentered focus, and credibility. Not in D209. Instead of investing in teachers and relationships which change student learning, we have invested in programs like Epiphany that are owned and operated by a close friend of the superintendent. The program has not addressed student learning needs, or enhanced student per formance, in fact it has dropped. This makes no sense. (Programs I have not voted for.)  Other spending continues to escalate at a rate more than double the state average and it has been prioritized over the instruction of our students!  The policy and spending allocations in the district are directly impacting the future of our students. Students do not get to relive their high school experience, we need to make it the best one, because it is their only one!

The actions the Board majority has

continuously engaged in, speaking to those attending in a condescending tone, accusing others of racial inequity, interrupting, and shouting down speakers, has accelerated and ampli ed the tensions in our district.  The unprofessional tone our board has taken is alarming We need to promote thoughtful policy and compliance, these are the backbones of a well-functioning and e ective board. What we need are returns to forums for the community, the ability for students to voice concerns, listen and engage our community in town halls that promote dialogue, bring empathy and care for our students back to the board room, and focus on actions and policy that directly impact students positively.   This will bring proper functioning of our district What we currently experience is an angry free-for-all, and it is this Board’s actions that are to blame. As board members, we are required to study the needs of students and the community.  Our decisions should be based on those needs.  Equity needs to start rst in the board room, it is hard to have an open mind if you do not have an open heart. Embracing diversity, equity, inclusion, representation, and an overall sense of belonging can signi cantly change perceptions of the world around you and change the student experience quickly. As the rst Latina ever elected to D209, it has meant a lot to the students to see leadership that looks and sounds like them, most importantly that cares about them. Representation matters.

THERESA L. KELLY CLA UDIA MEDINA

SEE CANDIDATES’ COMPLETE ANSWERS AND BIOS ONLINE SEE CANDIDATES’ COMPLETE ANSWERS AND BIOS ONLINE

The candidate’s responses have been edited for print. The full unedited responses can be found online at: forestparkreview.com/2023-election-guide/

The candidate’s responses have been edited for print. The full unedited responses can be found online at: forestparkreview.com/2023-election-guide/

In your opinion, what have been speci c accomplishments made by D209 over the past two years?

Implementation of the Facility Master Plan (FMP) from prior Superintendent is being implemented. HVAC and improvements across the three campuses. The introduction of the girls’ wrestling program is noteworthy.

D209 Superintendent Dr. James Henderson has had supporters and critics since his appointment. Please provide your opinion of his performance, including his relationship with faculty, communications with parents and the community, and his management of the district through a pandemic.

Dr. Henderson joined the Proviso school district during a period of uncertainty. His leadership and actions, however, have worsened the learning environment. He has gutted the IT department to the point that the skeleton crew is overwhelmed and can barely service our students and faculty with hardware and software needs. Lack of transportation continues to plague the district. The execution of the bus contract with First Student at the last minute did not demonstrate proper planning. To this day, the public hasn’t seen any evaluations on his per formance. As a taxpayer, I am concerned with the management of my tax dollars. His relationship with faculty, students and the community is rocky, at best. I’ve witnessed his Facebook tirades against the community.

As a board member, how would you respond to complaints and protests brought by students concerned with their education?

Responses from students should be treated with the utmost respect and urgency Policies and procedures should be followed when addressing issues and should be respected at all levels – faculty, administration and board. However, assuming all

D209 BOARD OF EDUC ATION (8 C ANDIDATES FOR 3 OPEN SEATS )

issues have the same severity, ould like to document these issues to identify trends. Are we seeing an increase in a particucomplaint? Let’s also allocate time to community workshops better address ongoing issues and increase community engagement. Solutions require all parties at the table. We won’t ow if we’re improving without valuable feedback from our community.

Do you believe that the strike by teachers last year was unavoidable? How do you believe the district bene ted by its resolution?

It could have been avoided with proper, respectful dialog and having a board member present during negotiations. The educators did not want to strike, but it was their last resort to call attention to the lack of a contract. Educators currently face lessthan-ideal working conditions: increased class sizes, lack of resources and support. The stress created by the situation compounded now with an ongoing severe teacher shortage is affecting our students negatively.

If you are elected to what continues to be a divided school board, what skills would you bring to governing productively?

Being productive on the board requires cohesion, unity and strong interpersonal skills. The board must demonstrate trust and maintain respectful dialog with all stakeholders. As a servant leader within my community, I have volunteered in serving the youth from teaching them nancial literacy to life skills in the scouts. I am ready to o er my skills as a data engineer/analyst and lessons from life experiences to improve our district. Sandra, Jenny and I o er a fresh perspective and are con dent that we can help move the district forward.

The candidate’s responses have been edited for print. The full unedited responses can be found online at: forestparkreview.com/2023-election-guide/

D209 Superintendent Dr. James Henderson has had supporters and critics since his appointment. Please provide your opinion of his performance, including his relationship with faculty, communications with parents and the community, and his management of the district through a pandemic.

As a Proviso parent and community member, I have not seen any evaluations from the board of education on Dr. Henderson’s work per formance, even though yearly evaluations are required in his contract. No data has been presented from the Board or district regarding success, or lack thereof, of the changes implemented during Dr. Henderson’s tenure in D209. The outside data provided from the Illinois School Report Card and the Illinois 5Essentials Sur vey, shows that Dr. Henderson has not been successful.

The district, under Dr. Henderson’s leadership, has undergone tremendous changes and restructuring with no clear key per formance indicators provided. The community does not have access to the data driven e ects on student per formance under these changes over the last 2 school years. With the changes and restructuring of Dean positions, Special Education services, English Language Learner (ELL) services, College and Career Counselors, the IT department restructured, food service brought in-house and the plan for transportation to be brought in-house, are the students provided the resources they need to succeed?

As an involved parent, I have witnessed the management style of Dr. Henderson through the lens of his employment actions, resource allocation decisions, and contract negotiations. The start to each school year is a public demonstration of the management abilities of each Superintendent and if we look at the start of SY 2223 as an indicator of Dr. Henderson’s ability

to manage our district, there are improvements to be made. Parent engagement with Dr. Henderson star ted on a good path, Dr. Henderson created the Superintendents’ Parent Advisor y Council (SPAC) which met for the rst time on Thursday, October 15, 2020, and then met monthly during the school year. I was a part of that advisory council until it was cancelled inde nitely by Dr. Henderson in December, 2021. The energy of the meetings changed over time when parent advisory members star ted asking questions and wanting transparent answers about the plans to address the issues facing our schools. Dr Henderson eliminated opportunities to communicate and build stronger bonds with parents and as a result parents and community members are not getting positive, accurate and timely information on a consistent basis.

Speaking to Dr. Henderson’s relationship with faculty, we have witnessed the district experiencing unprecedented turnover in educators, counselors, admin, and security. The working environment for our teachers and sta is the learning environment for our students and the working environment right now is not healthy. District 209 is not able to retain and attract quality educators because of the broken relationships with Dr. Henderson. The community has witnessed retaliatory actions against educators, unprofessional attacks on parents and community on social media, violent outbursts, and interac tions with board members with no accountability for those behaviors from the board of education. The lack of positive relationships is contributing to the negative climate in Proviso and is detrimental to the districts mission of Equity, Excellence, Relevance for ALL.

The candidate’s responses have been edited for print. The full unedited responses can be found online at: forestparkreview.com/2023-election-guide/

DAVID OC AMPO JENNIFER (JENNY) BARBAHEN

SEE CANDIDATES’ COMPLETE ANSWERS AND BIOS ONLINE

SEE CANDIDATES’ COMPLETE ANSWERS AND BIOS ONLINE

In your opinion, what have been speci c accomplishments made by D209 over the past two years?

In my opinion, the District has made some headway in bringing the PMSA programs into East and West. They have continued programs our students are interested in, cosmetology/barber programs. They have also made gains in the areas of construction by following through on the ve-year Master Plan Dr. Rodriquez star ted for all three schools.

D209 Superintendent Dr. James Henderson has had supporters and critics since his appointment. Please provide your opinion of his performance, including his relationship with faculty, communications with parents and the community, and his management of the district through a pandemic.

Dr. Henderson was hired with the hope that he would be able to continue the progress and pathways set by the prior administration. He was hired and then the pandemic hit, not an ideal situation, for anyone. But the pandemic is not an excuse for the failure to create thriving relationships with sta . It is part of the duties he was hired to perform.

Dr. Henderson’s relationships with sta have proven to be di cult and at times contentious. One of the most important things an organization can do for its employees is to make them feel valued. Superintendents must be evaluated properly per board and state policy. Through evaluation and coaching, the board can determine whether our one employee is able to make any needed behavioral changes to ensure we’re able to move relationships and this district forward.

The pandemic would have been an ideal time for him to take the time to establish relationships with all stakeholders and evaluate our processes. Instead, he chose to use that time to “restructure” key areas without proper evaluations and audits. This created

huge gaps in key areas that students needed to be successful like food services, Technology, SPED, ELL services, etc. These areas have continued to su er. We must remember that when systems su er, our students su er. I believe that Dr Henderson has not shown that he has been e ective in the management of our organization through the pandemic and beyond.

As a former employee and through my connections within the community, I began to hear from many disgruntled parents and people in the community. They spoke of the chaos, lack of communication, and divisiveness they were experiencing from the administration. In my opinion, I thought it was perhaps his management style that seemed a bit abrasive, the parents and taxpayers were concerned.

I met with Dr. Henderson in an informal setting, as a taxpayer and a former employee of D209, during his rst year as superintendent. After our conversation, I became concerned about his ability to create a positive and enriching educational and work environment. However, I understood that one conversation is not enough to evaluate someone’s intentions and ability. Gradually as time went on, I noticed that we, as a community, needed to do something, this was not the time to lose communication with our community, it was not the time to cut o our community partners and trusted allies to the district. I didn’t see the organization and attention to student needs that the times demanded Dr. Henderson removed valuable resources from students and made draconian cuts that deeply impacted our students’ access to their education and the school district’s basic functions. Some could say those items could have cost savings but without a rm plan on replacement sources and added pressure to an already pressed sta has proven di cult these last few years.

SANDRA JOSEPH-HIXSON