Activist Toolkit

1) Why do you want to serve as Mayor? What makes you qualified to serve? What metrics of success do you plan on holding yourself accountable to?

I want to continue serving as Forest Park’s Mayor because I have the requisite experience, and because my progressive values reflect the values of the community.  

My background includes social work and economic development.  During my first term as mayor, despite the covid pandemic, Forest Park secured over $2.9M in state and federal grants.  I have been directly involved in obtaining these grants.  I was employed by the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity from 2000 - 2006.  During that time, I developed relationships with women and men who now hold important government roles.  As mayor, I leverage these relationships for the benefit of the Village of Forest Park.   

My opponent has served on the Park District board that has not shown interest in racial equity or transparency.  During my term as mayor, I have made several diverse appointments.  Additionally, the village now pays women department heads salaries that are on par with the salaries of their male counter-parts.  The Village publishes our Council board packets in advance of meetings.  The Park District of Forest Park does not publish their board packets. My opponent is serving his 4th term as Park District board president.

2) How do you make decisions?

I make decisions based on input from subject matter experts when it is possible to get expert input.  On topics of great importance to the community, we hold community functions to seek input.  An example of this would be the two community meetings we held prior to establishing zoning for the retail sale of cannabis.  

Prior to December of 2020, the mayor could issue a new liquor license without the advice and consent of the other elected officials.  I proposed amending the village code so that any new licenses are voted on by the entire council. The proposal was adopted.  Now, the  Village Council’s consent is required in order to issue any new liquor licenses. 

3) What are the three biggest challenges or opportunities facing Forest Park in the next three, five, and ten years and how should elected officials address them over the next four years?

Three big challenges for the village are a) generating new revenue, b) deciding whether to acquire the vacant Army Reserve Center located at 7402 Roosevelt Road, and c) whether to keep the Commission Form of Government.  For purposes of generating revenue, I would like to see a referendum on becoming a Home Rule Community.  On the issue of the Army site, I believe community meetings are appropriate.  Finally, I would support a referendum on whether to retain the Commission form of government.  I would prefer that the village have seven elected leaders with staggered elections rather than having all five of the village council seats up for election at the same time.

4) How would you approach the budgeting process?

We have a very transparent system of budgeting.  We hold two workshop meetings every year where the public has the opportunity to learn the details of the budget.  The budget packets is published in advance of the meeting.  There is time for public comment. The meetings conform with Open Meetings Act requirements. 

5) What would you say to voters who are worried about the tax burden?

Voters should be concerned with the tax burden.  I encourage voters to attend council meetings and to become engaged.   I have supported economic development initiatives that tap into new revenue streams and we seek to avoid practices that are regressive with respect to revenue.

6) What should the Mayor's role be with respect to economic development and attracting new business to Forest Park?

Forest Park’s mayor should make every effort to support the economic growth of the village so long as the means for growth is not adverse to the village’s long-term interests or conflicts with the values of the residents. As mayor, I work closely with the Chamber of Commerce and encourage companies with the means to do so, to make four figure donations to the Chamber.  Examples are Hawk Auto and Ferrara Candy.  Because I have experience in economic development, I have taken a more active role.  For example, I have initiated discussions for Forest Park to join the nearby enterprise zone.  Additionally, when a nearby private high school asked the village whether it could acquire the vacant Army Reserve site, I asked them to speak with the owners of the Forest Park Plaza.  It now appears that there is genuine interest in converting the 97,000sf space formerly used by “big box” stores into a sports arena that will be used year-round.   First and foremost the mayor has to judge whether a proposed project is in the town’s best interest and then act accordingly. I ask the following questions:  “is it legal, moral and ethical?”

7) The Altenheim property and future development alternatives are topics of much discussion in Forest Park. What should the next step in this process be, and what is your ultimate vision for the Altenheim property?

The 12-person Altenheim Advisory Committee (AAC) that was appointed six months ago has completed its work.  It was assigned the task of performing a public engagement function of sorts and to advise the Village Council of what the larger community wants to see in any development that might commence on that site.   After eight months of work, that has included holding nine public meetings, the AAC will issue a report.  Based on this contemporary feedback, the village council should follow the committee’s recommendations.  

My preference would be for the village to sell a maximum of three acres of the property for a transit-oriented development.  The remaining eight acres of the Altenheim land would remain open.  The Village could require the development project to include installation of recreational items.  Examples:  shelter for bikes, band shell, playground equipment, retention pond.

8) The debate over video gambling has been resolved through binding referendum, yet there are still divisions over the issue. Do you think those divisions can be overcome? If so, how? If not, why not? Would you now seek to repeal the prohibition on video gambling in Forest Park? If so, how? If not, why not?

I don’t think the divisions over video gambling are as intense now as they were in 2018 and 2019.  I think that most people who voted to prohibit video gambling would prefer that it remain prohibited. I think that people who made money from the machines would like another vote on video gambling.  I would not seek a to repeal the prohibition.  

9) What does transparency in government mean to you? Give one example of an action you would take or have taken as Mayor reflecting your views on this topic. How would you evaluate the Village’s record on transparency?

Transparency in government refers to sharing information with the public, so that people can be informed of how the unit of government makes decisions.  Some people feel like the government has obligations beyond Open Meetings Act and other statutory requirements.  I fall somewhere in the middle.  I think the village is very transparent.  Budget meetings are open to the public, and budget workbooks are published online. Board packets provided to commissioners for each regular meeting are available to the public.  Moreover, I think the work of the Altenheim Advisory Committee is an example of transparency.  Along with delegating the function of public engagement to an advisory committee, the village has published quite a lot of information about the Altenheim land and other supporting documents on the our website.  

10) What are the appropriate limits to a nepotism policy that would prevent the appearance of favoritism while not unduly hindering the ability of local government to work with those who already have an existing relationship with government stakeholders?

The village adopted a policy addressing nepotism in 2019.  That policy is appropriate.  I have never hired my kids or any relatives.  In 2015, when I was no longer a village commissioner, my son was part of a summer help employment program.  Since the time that I have resumed my role as a public servant, I have intentionally avoided having any of my kids work for the village in a part-time or full-time capacity.  

11) What steps will you take to enhance community engagement with the Village government and the Village Commission? What is your view on how local elected officials should communicate with and respond to constituents?

Since I began serving as mayor I have made myself available to residents in a number of ways.  For example, prior to covid, I was a regular Blue Line rider.  I had many policy oriented conversations with neighbors who also took  the CTA Blue Line.  I am also accessible during recreational events:  Groovin’ in the Grove, Rib Fest, Pride Celebrations, etc.  I will continue to be accessible to residents.  During the many years that I have served the village, I have always attended village holiday functions for the purpose of being accessible to residents    

For important policy topics I have held town hall meetings.  Examples include meetings to discuss policing policies and public meetings prior to adopting zoning for cannabis sales.   I will continue to hold town hall meetings to address pressing issues.      

Additionally, prior to the to my service as mayor, the village did not use Facebook to engage residents.  Finally, in 2021, we adopted a weekly village newsletter that originates from the mayor’s office.   I will explore additional means of using social media to provide important information to residents.

12) In what ways have you sought to better know and understand the experiences, concerns, and needs of residents outside your demographic group?

I have sought to better know and understand the experiences of people outside of my demographic by listening to neighbors and actively seeking opportunities to learn about other peoples’ experiences.  For example, every year I attend services marking Veterans Day and services marking Memorial Day.  After the laying of wreathes and the speaking program,  I join the VFW members or the American Legion members at their hall.  I make an effort to listen.

In 2022, I attended the Chicago Columbus Day parade in order to demonstrate to Italian-American residents that I have an appreciation for their cultural traditions and to learn about their concerns.   Similarly, when the village holds its Pride celebrations or our Hispanic Heritage events, I try to learn about our neighbors and their experiences. 

13) Do Black Lives matter? How can the local government put Black Lives Matter into action?

According to “Dr. Goggle”, Black Lives Matter is a decentralized political and social movement that seeks to highlight racism, discrimination, and racial inequality experienced by black people. Its primary concerns are incidents of police brutality and racially motivated violence against black people.  Since I began serving as Mayor, I have opened a dialogue with senior police department leaders about concerns that include racial justice and equity.  Our current police leaders represent a generational change from the police chiefs that served Forest Park prior to 2013.  Police tend to be more conservative the voters reading Activist Tool Kit answers, but I believe that by communicating with police leadership it gives them an expectation for the values that the policy setters expect them to abide by, including values that prioritize racial equity.

14) Much is made of how long one has lived in Forest Park as a marker of legitimacy in its local government. This can serve to delegitimize the large number of people who have recently moved here, especially those who are renting. How will your administration work to get the perspectives of and involvement from newly arrived Forest Parkers and especially renters in the village?

Questions of how long a person has lived in Forest Park may serve as the asking party’s gauge for what a person may or may not know about civic traditions or past occurrences.  I don’t necessarily think that one’s length of time in the village is interpreted as a marker of legitimacy.  My wife and I were renters for the first seven years we lived in Forest Park.  I don’t give lesser credence to persons who rent their living spaces.  I have found that some long-time home owners can have outlandish ideas.  Since serving as mayor I have tried to get people involved in civic affairs based on their level of interest and demonstrated subject matter knowledge.  

15) What are your thoughts on the appropriate limits on candidates/officeholders weighing in on the actions of a different taxing body?

As the serving village mayor, I try not to interfere in the affairs of other elected units of government.  However, if an issue is important and greatly impacts Forest Park residents or businesses, I will represent the interests of Forest Park and its residents even if it involves publicly critiquing other governmental bodies.   An example of this includes my decision to intervene in the recent District 209 teachers strikes and subsequent controversies including the threatened firing of three teachers in late 2022. 

16) What do you see as the best role for Forest Park’s Committees, especially the Diversity Committee? What challenges do you anticipate with regard to equity and inclusion in the Village, and how will you approach them?

Forest Park’s advisory boards and committees provide important opportunities for residents to get involved in our village government.  Each person appointed to serve is vetted by the mayor, and ultimately serves with consent of the village council.  My route to serving as a village commissioner included an appointment to the Traffic and Safety Committee in 2006.  For purposes including increasing diversity within our community, I have appointed persons from the LGBTQ community, African-Americans, persons of Asian descent, Latinos and cis-gender white males to boards and commissions including the Environmental Commission, the Traffic and Safety, the Fire Pension Board, the Police Pension Board, the Board of Fire and Police Commissioners, the Altenheim Advisory Committee, the Recreation Board, and our Planning and Zoning Commission.  The vast majority of my appointments have brought some expertise and relevant experience to their board or commission.  I expect that some of the men and women who I have appointed to the various advisory boards will seek elective office at some time in the future. 

17) The Village Council has an arguably mixed record on climate action. For example, they have voted against pursuing a Metropolitan Water Reclamation District grant that would capture stormwater, yet voted to bring in electric car-charging stations. How would you act to ensure policy reflected climate change locally, including residents impacted by water/sewer backup into homes?

The Village Council unanimously approved a resolution to join the Cross Community Collaboration on Climate.  This is in addition to the village winning the grant to install charging stations for electric vehicles.  More importantly, it has been publicized that the village will enter into a development agreement with Hawk Auto to incentivize the construction of a new automotive dealership that will exclusively sell Jeep brand electric vehicles.  This new dealership will likely be the catalyst to many more EV charging stations being installed in Forest Park.  These three “wins” have all occurred since January 1, 2022.  Forest Park is making progress in the area of climate action.  Participation in C4 will drive local policy making so that climate action is consistently taken into account when village officials make decisions.

18) Please list the three largest donors to your campaign by dollar amount contributed.

Largest donors:  1. Iron Workers Local 1 ($2,000) Assessor Fritz Kaegi ($1,500), Steve  Hinton ($1000), Karen Yarbrough ($1000)

19) For those who are currently serving as Forest Park Mayor: What vote or action are you most proud of, and what vote or action do you most regret? Why?

Proudest:  Pay equity salary adjustments benefiting the women department heads.  Prior to October 2022, all of the women department heads working for the village made salaries in the five-figure range while all male department heads made six figure salaries.  Over a two-year period, the village council adjusted their wages.  Now these women make salaries that are comparable to their male colleagues. 

Biggest regret: Issuing a liquor license to the Forest Park Tap Room.