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
Previous three terms as a Park District Commissioner: liaison to several District-related organizations. Member, Park District’s Greening Advisory Committee.
Community experience
Board member, then President for 5 plus years, Friends of the Oak Park Conservatory. University of Illinois Extension Master Gardener for 25 years beginning in 1999.
What is your favorite park district program and why?
Festival Theater. The Park District provides community members with a free opportunity to see an Equity company’s production, as well as opportunities for interns to learn in a professional theater company, not to mention the excellent productions themselves.
What is the balance between the active and ongoing investments in park facilities and controlling park district spending on behalf of taxpayers?
The District has a goal of funding its facilities and services 50% or less from taxes, and 50% or more from other sources such as fees and sponsorships, making taxpayer dollars go twice as far. Capital improvements are carried out on our facilities in a rotating basis, insuring high-quality facilities that cost less to maintain than if they were neglected.
What actions will you take to make the park district greener and more sustainable in the face of climate change?
Our park district is a recognized leader in sustainable practices, looking at every action through a sustainability lens. We have built or refurbished two facilities as net zero, used
native plants in all new or refurbished plantings, added solar panels to many of our facilities, including on a tool trailer, enabling recharging electrically-run tools on site. I strongly support these actions and will continue encouraging staff to look for additional ways to meet climate change, including, for example, selecting trees and other plants more adapted to a warmer climate.
How do you foresee federal actions affecting the park district, either in terms of funding or other implications?
Right now federal actions are unclear. We do not depend on federal funding; for example, we do receive state funding in the form of matching funds for certain projects from IDNR in the form of OSLAD grants.
Does the park district do a good job of ensuring Oak Park residents feel heard when addressing concerns about park district decisions or proposed changes to facilities?
I believe we do, though we cannot “make” anyone “feel” heard, or “feel” anything else. We can only do our best to ensure that information is available, and that multiple opportunities are available for residents to present their ideas/positions to the elected Park Board. In addition to the detailed information posted on our website, public meetings are held with staff and board members when a park’s facilities are up for review. There is time scheduled for public comment at every regularly-scheduled open-to-the-public park board meeting.
