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
Current Library Board Trustee; volunteer for various political campaigns
Community experience
Parent of children at Holmes Elementary School and Gwendolyn Brooks Middle School; Member, St. Christopher’s Church
What are the greatest challenges facing the Oak Park Public Library?
Ensuring that our library remains an intellectually vibrant space. Across the country we are witnessing attacks on libraries and their intellectual vibrancy and freedom.
In the face of national attacks on diversity, equity and inclusion policies, how will you protect and enforce DEI at the library?
Fortunately, DEI practices at the Oak Park Public Library are not being directly attacked on a national or state level. Our challenge here is to make the Library’s DEI programs work effectively for our community. Effective, thoughtful, and evidence-based DEI practices will deepen the library’s ties to the community and dovetail with Oak Park’s many decades long tradition of working to create a welcoming and diverse community. If we make DEI practices with measurable goals that support the wellbeing of our community a part of the library, I expect we will see broad community support for their continuation.
When a new executive director is hired, how will you help ensure a smooth transition and strong leadership?
The Board must make its expectations clear to the new Executive Director. Likewise, the new Executive Director will need to clearly express their needs and expectations of the board. I look forward to frank and regular communication with the new executive director to ensure that they always understand the board’s expectations, and that the board understands the challenges and goals of the executive director so that the board can support them in their vision.
What is your take on the library as a third space, or place outside home and work that allows locals to connect with their community?
Public Libraries are one of the last places in this country wherein a person is not expected to buy anything. The Oak Park Public Library is very much a community center where people meet to discuss books, attend lectures, or play a game of chess. It serves an essential function.
What should the policy be on banning books at the OPPL?
It is my understanding that for at least the past 28 years, the Oak Park Library board has not engaged in any book banning. I’d like to continue this tradition. I fully support the right of people who are offended by specific books to not check them out.
Please add final thoughts not covered in this questionnaire. These responses may appear online.
For the majority of my legal career, I have worked as a civil servant, dedicated to being a thoughtful and careful steward of public trust and public funds. In my capacity as an attorney, I have acted as FOIA Officer and Purchasing Officer as well as drafted legislation. To me, knowing Illinois Statute such as Illinois Open Meetings Act and Freedom of Information are important to ensuring transparency of process. This transparency is essential to ensuring that public can maintain its trust in the mechanisms of government.
