The Wednesday Journal sent questionnaires to each person running for public office in 2025. The Journal’s questions are in bold and the candidate’s responses are below.
Political experience
Oak Park Village Board (2017-2023) Oak Park Township Board (2011-2017)
Community experience
Village of Oak Park: Member, Fire Pension Board Member, Finance Committee Member, Personnel Committee Member, Collaboration for Early Childhood Member, Citizens Police Oversight Member, Zoning Board of Appeals Township of Oak Park: Member, Senior Services Committee Member, Community Mental Health Board Other Boards: Greater Chicago Legal Clinic Oak Park & River Forest History Museum
In light of recent incidents of gun violence in Oak Park, how do you plan to prevent gun violence and promote safety?
Public safety is one of my top priorities. Community engagement and education on gun safety and storage is paramount. Also, continuing to support programs like free gun locks at Village Hall for anyone who wants one is a good step in the right direction. Also, doing what we can to get illegal guns off the streets requires a fully staffed police department, which I support. Finally, suicide prevention programs for all villagers can save lives.
Have the combined levies of Oak Park taxing bodies pushed taxpayers to a point of property tax saturation? What should the response of the village board be to control property tax levels?
Yes. The Village Board must prioritize responsible fiscal management to prevent further burdening residents. Some might argue that the village only makes up 16% of the total budget and use that as justification to look elsewhere for savings. I disagree with that and believe we have a duty to our taxpayers to be good stewards of their hard-earned money. I pushed for a cap of 3% on levy increases and the village has been able to maintain that level for five or six years now. But the renovation of village hall is going to raise the levy 20%-30% for the next 20+ years. As a trustee, I have supported fiscally responsible budgets while maintaining essential services. We must set clear budget limits for new projects and find efficiencies in government spending to avoid unnecessary tax increases.
How will you promote affordable housing development and aid those experiencing homelessness in Oak Park?
I proudly supported Oak Park’s historic Inclusionary Zoning Ordinance in 2019, which has raised millions for affordable housing and helped fund workforce and other affordable housing. I will continue advocating for affordable housing solutions that are practical, well-integrated, and community-driven, ensuring that new developments align with our community values. Addressing homelessness requires a multi-agency approach, combining affordable housing expansion, mental health services, and job training programs to provide long-term solutions rather than temporary fixes. Our partnership with Housing Forward has been incredible and I see me voting to support future collaborations with them and others fighting for the unhoused.
What are your thoughts on the proposed Village Hall remodel?
Our original goal was to build a much-needed police station—not to spend $100M+ on unnecessary Village Hall renovations. The current proposal would raise property taxes by at least 20%-30% over 20 years, which is completely unsustainable for residents, and a breach of fiduciary duty on the part of trustees who vote for such wasteful spending. We should return to the original plan, focusing on a cost-effective, state-of-the-art police station while making only the most necessary upgrades to Village Hall, such as improving accessibility.
How will you help Oak Park reach its sustainability goals and are the current goals too ambitious?*
Sustainability is an important issue, and Oak Park has taken significant steps toward reducing its environmental impact, all of which I have supported as a trustee. While I support realistic and impactful sustainability initiatives, we must ensure that goals are achievable without placing undue financial burdens on residents and businesses. I don’t know if the current goals are too ambitious, mainly because I am not an expert in this field and do not know what is possible. We have a group of experts in Oak Park who work tirelessly to guide the village on these initiatives. I tend to trust the input of these experts and see my job as a trustee as making sure our actions do not cause harm or unforeseen circumstances to the village.
Please add final thoughts not covered in this questionnaire. These responses may appear online.
Oak Park is a unique and thriving community, but fiscal responsibility, public safety, and transparent governance must be at the core of every decision we make. Also, I noticed that none of these questions address racial equity, which I would argue should also be at the core of our decision-making. My experience as a Certified Public Accountant (CPA), Trustee, and long-time resident has prepared me to make balanced, informed decisions that benefit all Oak Park residents. I am committed to listening to the community, finding practical solutions, and ensuring Oak Park remains a great place to live, work, and raise a family.
