I am an Indian immigrant who came to the U.S. in 2003 and settled in Oak Park in 2006. As a father of two daughters and husband in a mixed-race family, we have found a true sense of belonging here. I am part of the diversity our community values, and in 2016, I became a U.S. citizen.
With a background in engineering and an MBA, I spent 20 years in corporate America, solving complex problems across three continents. During this time, I conceived and led an award-winning project in Ontario, Canada, making electricity more affordable for residents. That was the first time I saw how my skills and leadership could directly improve people’s lives — and it changed me.
I realized that my corporate success wasn’t enough — I wanted to do work that truly mattered. That’s what led me to:
• Join Junior Achievement, a 100-year-old, Nobel Peace Prize-nominated nonprofit that helps kids succeed.
• Launch Takeout 25, an initiative that brought the community together to support restaurants and strengthen our local economy — now a nationally recognized nonprofit.
• Step into public service — something I never imagined doing (and my mother still reminds me of that every time we talk!), but I feel called to serve, and here I am.
Why I’m running for village president:
Over the past four years as a village trustee, I’ve gained a deep appreciation for policymaking and developed a strong understanding of Oak Park’s local economy through Takeout 25. But I’ve also seen our community fall behind due to poor judgment, ineffective governance, and reckless spending.
Look no further than the unnecessary village hall campus proposal or the change to leaf-bagging, where resident concerns were ignored, contradicting our values of affordability, inclusivity, and equity. We can and must do better.
A safe, vibrant, and inclusive Oak Park cannot remain just a vision — it must be realized through decisive action and collaboration. My focus for the next four years includes:
• Fully staffing the Oak Park Police Department – Investing in a reasonably priced police facility, modern technology, and alternative call response infrastructure, while enhancing bike and pedestrian safety.
• Reducing our reliance on property taxes – Attracting private investment to diversify our tax base, ensuring Oak Park remains affordable, sustainable, and diverse.
• Focusing on core municipal services – Prioritizing good governance, transparency, and responsible fiscal management to serve residents effectively and efficiently.
I ask for your vote on April 1 to turn these priorities into action and position Oak Park for a stronger future. I’m confident we can get this done — together.
Visit: www.vote4ravi.com