The Forest Park Review sent questionnaires to each person running for public office in 2025. The Review’s questions are in bold and the candidate’s responses are below.
Political experience
This is my first time running for elected office.
Community experience
2024 – Equality Illinois, Board of Directors 2023 – Oak Park Area Migrant Resettlement Mission, Co-Founder & Immigration Lead 2022 – Indivisible Chicago Alliance , Board of Directors 2022 – 23 Oak Park Area Lesbian and Gay Association, Board of Directors 2020 – Forest Park Against Racism, Co-Founder 2017 – 20 PASO – West Suburban Action Project, Board Member, Secretary 2019 – 21 Village of Forest Park, Diversity Commissioner 2019 Forest Park Forward, Acting Campaign Manager 2018 Let Forest Park Vote, Coordinator (recipient of Citizens Advocacy Center award) 2018 United Airlines Volunteer Impact Award, Volunteer grant UA Foundation
What do you want to see done with the Altenheim property, and what role do you think the park district should play, if any? What do you want to see done with the H&R Auto property?
I support preserving as much of the property as green space, essential to our ecosystem and community well-being. The COVID years reinforced for me the importance of accessible nature in our daily lives. This space offers opportunities for expanded bike paths, walking trails, pollination areas, community gardens, performing arts gazebos, and recreational extensions, while preserving its history. Partnering with the Park District and community organizations can help maximize these possibilities. The H&R property and green space should also be considered alongside Altenheim’s potential. Community input through town halls is crucial to determine if expanded recreational facilities would better serve residents. An environmental assessment is necessary to ensure sustainable development.
How will you leverage more indoor space for the park district’s day camps?
Our day camps attract kids from multiple school districts and towns, highlighting the high demand for quality programs like those offered by our Park District, with ample outdoor space and pool access. Partnering with local schools, especially District 91, to assess available building space could help accommodate students efficiently. We should also explore expanding into the recently purchased H&R Auto property, ensuring community input shapes a fiscally responsible and sustainable long-term plan. Additionally, Park District Building 4 is small for student capacity. I would work with staff to optimize existing resources, maximizing space use while minimizing taxpayer costs.
How will you manage residents’ tax dollars when presented with proposals to rebuild park district facilities?
I prioritize fiscal responsibility in creating community spaces through transparency, resident engagement, diverse funding, and long-term planning. With 35+ years in the corporate world and as a community advocate, I propose Community Engagement: Gather input via town halls, surveys, and advisory boards Asset Assessment: Use data to evaluate facilities for usage, safety, accessibility, and infrastructure needs Cost-Benefit Analysis: Weigh community benefits against investment and maintenance costs for sustainable planning Funding Options: Seek grants, partnerships, and sustainability investments to minimize taxpayer burden; explore a capital improvement fund Transparency & Accountability: Maintain budget transparency, provide updates, and track performance metrics to build community trust.
What actions will you take to make the park district greener and more sustainable in the face of climate change?
I would explore ways to reduce our environmental footprint, create healthier public spaces, and set a sustainable example: Sustainable Landscaping: Use native plants, xeriscaping, rain gardens, to conserve water and manage stormwater Energy Efficiency: Install solar panels and LED lighting, follow green building standards Expanding Green Spaces: Increase tree planting and community gardens Water Conservation: Rainwater harvesting, smart irrigation, and water-efficient fixtures Sustainable Transportation: EV chargers, carpooling Education & Engagement: Offer sustainability workshops, certifications, zero-waste events Waste Reduction: Expand recycling, composting, and zero-waste initiatives Funding & Partnerships: Seek grants, collaborate with environmental groups and civic organizations
How do you foresee federal actions affecting our community, and how do you plan to address any implications in Forest Park?
As federal DEI efforts decline, we may face challenges in funding, programming, accessibility, and community engagement. The Park District of Forest Park can uphold DEI values and ensure equitable access by taking proactive steps: Diversify Funding: Seek state grants, private partnerships, and community fundraising Inclusive Programming: Continue offering diverse programs and hiring diverse staff Ensure Accessibility: Prioritize ADA compliance and community-driven planning Build Trust & Engagement: Foster transparency and involve diverse communities in decision-making Address Social Inequities: Allocate resources equitably Protect Civil Rights: Establish anti-discrimination policies and staff training Promote Unity: Use parks for multicultural events, education, and inclusive recreation
Please add final thoughts not covered in this questionnaire. These responses may appear online.
I am the happy product of recreation centers and community pools; growing up in Montreal, my parents were graduate students with full-time jobs, and the programs provided by our local Park Districts were lifelines for them. My parents knew that their children were well looked after in safe and nurturing environments, where educational and recreational activities were enmeshed in such a way as to keep us engaged and entertained during summer breaks, after school, and holiday periods. We learned about community, about teamwork, and about the beauty and bounty the natural world has to offer to all of us. I want to add that I am an avid user of the Park District! I am at the pool as often as possible during the season. It is a wonderful meeting place in the community. I only wish that it was more accessible for more residents in Forest Park. I want to preserve the benefit for our residents while ensuring a sound fiscal and green future for the next generations. Park Districts are essential and vital necessities in communities like Forest Park. They contribute to the fabric of our identity, in programming for all members of our communities, irrespective of demographic or socioeconomic status. In Forest Park, there are ample opportunities to build upon the incredible work of years past with new perspectives that represent the rich diversity of the Village. As a proud Queer woman of color and first-generation American citizen, it would be an honor and privilege to serve my community, the place I have called “home” since 2007, as an elected Commissioner of the Park District of Forest Park.
