As your Senator, I view my job as representing Oak Park’s interests in state government. I traditionally let our local elected officials lead the way on municipal issues and let them present their ideas or accomplishments to you free from my commentary.
The rare cases in which I’ve shared my preference has been when I believe an incumbent village president has done a good job of representing Oak Park beyond the four corners of our village, while still responsibly managing our hometown.
I will be casting my vote for Village President Vicki Scaman because she has been as effective of a leader as I’ve served with in the past two decades. Her work on climate change advocacy in particular and partnership with neighboring communities that may have more immediate challenges than we — Maywood, Broadview, and Bellwood — has been groundbreaking.
Oak Parkers hold public officials to a high standard of service. That is a good thing, particularly at a historically divisive and difficult time in our world. Vicki Scaman works well with colleagues, she collaborates with stakeholders to find paths, her door has always been open to feedback. She is the type of leader I believe we need and she has earned my vote for reelection.