It’s easy to assume that if we aren’t hearing about problems, everything is going well. But a closer look reveals that our officials, led by the current village president, are wasting time and taxpayer dollars on issues that don’t meaningfully improve life in Oak Park.
For example, as reported in Wednesday Journal, the prolonged debate over rebuilding Village Hall at a staggering cost is stalling the creation of a much-needed police facility. Meanwhile, $1 million has been set aside for the Percy Julian home, a private residence. This project belongs in the hands of a private foundation, not the village.
The board should be laser-focused on the strategic goals established in July 2023 and adopted in January 2024, ensuring clear, measurable outcomes.
Ravi Parakkat brings the focused, effective leadership approach we need to move Oak Park forward. He gets things done when possible — and when not, he tells you why. His ability to set a vision, unite the community, and deliver results was evident during the pandemic with the Takeout 25 initiative. What began as a survival effort for local restaurants turned into a collaborative network that strengthened our local economy.
I’ve also seen Ravi’s leadership firsthand through my work with One Voice for Arts. Under his leadership, Takeout 25 financially supported community organizations like One Voice for Arts, New Moms, Beyond Hunger, Housing Forward and several other local causes, multiplying the benefit to Oak Park. His ability to bring different generations of people together and drive meaningful change is exactly what our village needs. One of his key goals (see vote4ravi.com) is fostering economic growth to make Oak Park more affordable and diverse — an outcome we can all appreciate.
Let’s elect a leader who delivers real results. Let’s elect Ravi.
Barbara Cimaglio
Oak Park