I am a strong supporter of affordable housing measures. Voting to enact Oak Park’s first Inclusionary Zoning Ordinance (IZO), I ensured that new developments in Oak Park either provide affordable units, or pay in in-lieu fee to the village, which in turn is invested in affordable housing developments.

During my tenure, Oak Park has raised millions of dollars through this mechanism. In turn, I have supported a $500k investment in workforce housing at 801 S. Oak Park Avenue, and also voted to grant Housing Forward $500,000 out of the Affordable Housing Fund to create a rental assistance program at the Raymond Showalter Residence, 324 N. Austin Boulevard. As a Township trustee, I consistently voted to fund the general assistance program.

Affordable Housing is something that I feel is a clear community value and important to maintain the character of Oak Park. I represent a diverse and engaged community that emphasizes both inclusiveness and equality. We are a welcoming community and seek to include those that bring different perspectives to our everyday living experiences, and affordable housing is a key factor to advancing that. I’m proud of my record as a trustee and will continue to leverage resources to maintain affordable housing in Oak Park.

Upon stabilizing our spending and adopting predictable taxation, we drew $600 million in new investment into the village including buildings, restaurants, and other retail, which has reinvigorated our business districts.

I have also supported investments in software that has streamlined the permitting process, shaving important time off of the time it takes to open a new business in the Village.

I have taken a pro-development stance in the Village and focused any larger apartment buildings near rail lines and business districts, which not only attracts investments but is also environmentally sustainable while looking forward to our future.

Renters comprise over 40% of Oak Park residents. As a Village Trustee, I have always prioritized the rights and well-being of Oak Park renters. I’ve worked directly with tenants facing challenges such as unsafe living conditions, ensuring that village inspectors addressed issues like mold and pests promptly, while holding property owners accountable for proper maintenance. Collaborating with federal agencies, including HUD and Congressman Danny Davis’s office, I’ve advocated for tenants in federally managed buildings, pushing for accountability and better oversight from management companies. Additionally, I’ve championed high standards for property maintenance and code enforcement, protecting renters from neglect and ensuring their homes meet essential health and safety standards. These efforts reflect my commitment to safeguarding renters’ rights and enhancing their quality of life in our community. Here is a link to a Wednesday Journal article detailing some of my advocacy: https://www.oakpark.com/2023/06/14/senior-citizen-building-racks-up-code-violations/

During my tenure as an Oak Park Village Trustee, I demonstrated a deep commitment to environmental sustainability through several key initiatives. I supported the adoption of the Climate Ready Oak Park Plan, aiming to reduce the village's greenhouse gas emissions by 60% by 2030 and achieve carbon neutrality by 2050. (Wednesday Journal)

Additionally, I’ve advocated for the replacement of traditional streetlights with energy-efficient LED lighting throughout the village, a move that not only reduces energy consumption but also substantially lowers operational costs. I also backed the implementation of a plastic bag tax to encourage the use of reusable bags and decrease plastic waste. Furthermore, I supported the hiring of a new sustainability coordinator to oversee and advance the village's environmental initiatives. (Wednesday Journal)

These efforts reflect my proactive approach to fostering environmental sustainability in Oak Park. However, if we are going to achieve the 60% reduction mentioned above, the Village has to take bold action.

As a Village Trustee, I have been deeply committed to enhancing public safety in Oak Park. Understanding that safety requires proactive measures, I advocated for adopting closing hours for overnight businesses in the village because of various shootings and other disturbances. This policy was designed to improve public safety by creating a more secure environment for residents and business owners alike.

Effective policing goes beyond numbers, which is why I have been a strong proponent of our community policing strategy. By fostering relationships between resident beat officers and citizens, we promote a collaborative approach to safety that enhances the quality of life throughout the village. Furthermore, I have supported initiatives to equip our police officers with life-saving tools, such as Narcan, to address critical situations like opioid overdoses, demonstrating our commitment to the well-being of all residents. Through these efforts, I remain dedicated to ensuring that Oak Park is a safe and welcoming community for everyone.

https://www.oakpark.com/2023/02/06/oak-park-plans-opioid-overdose-kits-in-key-locations/

After collaborating with colleagues in 2017, we determined that the tax levy growth for the previous five years was roughly 8% annually, which was unsustainable. We looked at budgets and recent projects and came to the conclusion that we could spend much less without affecting services or quality. I proposed limiting our tax levy increases to 3%. At the time, opponents claimed that such a limit was impossible. However, after seven years, our fund balance more than doubled and no services have been cut. It is possible to deliver an efficient government- it just requires budget discipline and prioritizing actual needs over wants.

As a Village Trustee, I have been actively involved in addressing Oak Park's overnight parking challenges to better serve our residents. Recognizing the difficulties faced by permit holders in finding convenient parking near their homes, I supported the expansion of overnight on-street parking in zones Y1 and Y2. This initiative, approved by the board, added 36 spaces in zone Y1 and 17 in zone Y2, improving accessibility for existing permit holders without increasing the total number of permits issued.

Additionally, during the COVID-19 pandemic, I backed measures to relax overnight parking restrictions, acknowledging the increased need for residents to park near their homes during stay-at-home orders. This temporary easing provided relief to many households during unprecedented times.

Understanding the importance of modernizing our parking system, I also supported the adoption of user-friendly technologies, such as the Passport Parking smartphone app, to streamline the process of obtaining overnight parking passes. This advancement has made it more convenient for residents to secure parking permissions, enhancing overall user experience.

Through these efforts, I remain committed to continuously improving Oak Park's parking policies to meet the evolving needs of our community.

As a Village Trustee, I have been dedicated to advancing racial equity in Oak Park. I supported the implementation of racial equity assessment tools in our decision-making processes and advocated for the hiring of a Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Director as a senior-level staff member to ensure that DEI considerations are integral to our policy making.

Recognizing the importance of inclusivity, I strive to listen to and engage with all stakeholders, valuing diverse perspectives in our community. I acknowledge that equity encompasses various factors, including socio-economic status, gender, disability, age, religion, and culture, and I consider these aspects in our decision-making processes.

Through these efforts, I remain committed to fostering a more equitable and inclusive environment for all residents of Oak Park.