Congratulations to River Forest Trustee Lisa Gillis who will be sworn in next month to serve her second term on the village board. She is a trustee who serves with integrity, diligence and independence, volunteering her time to make sure our village is safe, clean, financially secure and will continue to be the beautiful community we many times take for granted.
Therefore, I was astounded when I read a letter published in Wednesday Journal asking for her resignation. I agree with Trustee Gillis’ statement that term limits can have a negative effect in the future on who will volunteer to serve on the village board. We could very well end up with people being pushed into serving, even though they may not feel ready to serve yet, if ever, because term limits force openings. Think of trustees Bachner, Brennan and O’Connell who are in the middle of their second terms. In a future scenario, some or all may desire to run for a third term and even though they’re doing a great job and residents want them to stay, they will be finished. Trustee Vasquez is doing a great job on the board and he’s running for his third term. We are fortunate to have him, but he would already be finished.
Most confusing is the way the author goes back and forth singling out Trustee Gillis, then including some board members, with accusations of incompetence, having delusions of grandeur, etc. Then circles back to Trustee Gillis, referencing her votes with a tone of derision. Some before she was elected to her first term in 2021. The author describes Trustee Gillis casting TIF votes with “gusto” when she wasn’t on the board. The Madison Street TIF was created 2016 and North Avenue TIF was created 2018, both well before her time. The reference to the Lake and Ashland vote “without reservation”? Many first votes on Madison and Ashland or Lake and Lathrop were cast before Trustee Gillis joined the board.
Those barriers at Clinton/North and Bonnie Brae/North were approved 2022 by Trustees Bachner, Brennan, O’Connell, Johnson, Vasquez, Gillis. While Trustee Gillis’ vote was “enthusiastic,” the Yes votes of the other 5 are ignored.
Finally, the board voted unanimously to support the ZBA decision to not change codes. Approved by: Bachner, Brennan, O’Connell, Johnson, Vasquez, Gillis. When casting her vote, Trustee Gillis said, “There is no reason for the village board to go against the recommendation from the Zoning Board of Appeals.” She then encouraged residents to try to move on from the “not in my back yard” mentality. Otherwise, nothing will ever be built in this village. Amen to that, Trustee Gillis! Again, the other 5 YES votes are ignored.
The mean-spiritedness of the author is not who we are as a Village. Trustee Gillis deserves our respect and support and I know she will serve us well the next four years as she has during her first four years.
Janet Saeger
River Forest