Monday night’s Village Council meeting marked an exciting new chapter for me and my work serving Forest Park.
I was honored to be selected to oversee the Village’s Accounts and Finance Department. I’m excited to take on this new responsibility and continue contributing to the work that keeps our village moving forward
As Streets and Public Improvements Commissioner, I’ve worked on issues that affect residents every day, including water infrastructure, waste and recycling, traffic safety, and sustainability. I reduced our village's operating deficit by collaborating with our Village Administrator and Public Works team to secure a $2.3 million grant for lead line replacement, which also covered the full cost for village residents scheduled to receive this service over the past several years. I reduced our village’s operating deficit by approximately $750K by advocating with the mayor and Commissioner Voogd for IDOT funding for Jackson Road repairs, and I helped reduce the deficit by almost $1m by joining the renegotiation of the waste-hauling contract with the Village Administrator and Public Works team. I supported freezing resident costs for this service for the remainder of the contract and enhancing composting services at a reduced cost to residents. In addition, I pushed for CTA cost reimbursement for our first responders, which conservatively reduces our deficit by approximately $750K per year (variable depending on service to CTA), and for state funding for our fire house ($250K).
Debt reduction I achieved in my term: $3.65 million
Debt reduction that will continue into the next several years: $1.5M per year (20% of our current operating deficit)
NUMBER OF TRIPS TO SPRINGFIELD 2023-2026: = 7
As Commissioner of Accounts and Finance for the remainder of my term, I will work with the Director of Finance and Village Administrator to look for cost savings and efficiencies that continue to benefit residents and preserve services, especially for our most vulnerable residents.