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Campaign Phone
630-343-9279
The biggest challenge our county faces is housing. If you are a senior or young person in the county, upwards of 80% of your income goes to housing and food. Residents can't thrive like that and our small businesses suffer for it. I believe we need to drastically expand our housing options across the county. By using private-public partnerships and working directly with our local municipalities, we can build houses that are both beautiful and affordable for first-time homebuyers. I believe t county can assist in this process by utilizing our influence to break through bureaucratic gridlock and find solutions.
The most important priority for our government should be the welfare of our community. When looking at services, it is the job of our government to do that cost-benefit analysis as to what would improve lives the most. Our seniors need many services, such as transportation and housing, to thrive. While the pandemic showed many of us first-hand the dire need for funding to our healthcare system. These investments save lives and give all of our residents the peace of mind that their community is safe. However, we can't rely purely on taxation of our youngest residents to support the rest, our government needs to make sure residents have enough money after taxes to support local businesses and help Will County thrive.
As a young person myself, I've had to move every year since graduation due to ever rising rents. This is a crisis in the making and we need to respond now. In Joliet Township, we are working to establish private-public partnerships to build new homes for first-time homebuyers. This work can serve as a model for other municpalities and the county government as well. To fix the underlying issues causing this crisis, we need more housing in the county. I believe that by partnering with private groups, encouraging zoning changes where necessary, and providing the backstop of support to stop people from becoming unhoused that we can address this problem, before it becomes a true crisis.
Our governments need to be very cautious in approving data centers at this time. Governments need to be asking the hard questions of developers. That includes asking how many residents will be employed by the facility, what guarantee of revenue the developer has, and the availability of the building materials to even finish the project. Currently, many developers are proposing data centers based on computer parts that don't exist yet, on a hypothetical revenue stream, with plans to only employ a handful of residents. Once built, there are few ways to repurpose a data center for future use, our governments need to know that these centers will actually help grow our community, and not just add another abandoned lot in a year.
This is another circumstance where we have seen our private organizations stepping up to fill a need, but they need support. As the federal government continues to retract funding for vital services, food needs have only grown. In Joliet Township, we have partnered with local businesses and non-profits to provide regular pop-up events to distribute food to our most needed communities. In Bolingbrook, we have a new food pantry being built by our township government that can help fill this growing need. However, we need to address the root causes of food insecurity by investing in affordable homes and quality jobs that give people the tools to live with dignity.
Campaign Phone
708-259-5085
Will County faces several critical challenges that require practical, collaborative solutions:
• Sustainable Infrastructure & Transportation: Invest strategically in roads, bridges, and transit to support growth, reduce congestion, and ensure long-term sustainability.
• Economic Opportunity: Promote small business growth and workforce development to create equitable opportunities.
• Affordable & Senior Housing: Expand housing options to meet the needs of families and our aging population.
• Public Safety & Corrections: Support initiatives that maintain safe communities, and manage county facilities responsibly.
• Mental Health Services: Continue to expand access where needed, ensuring resources are available for residents in crisis.
Balancing services with keeping taxes low requires strategic prioritization and fiscal responsibility. I would focus on investments that deliver the highest impact for residents, such as infrastructure that supports growth, public safety, and economic opportunity. At the same time, I would work to eliminate inefficiencies, encourage innovative solutions, and collaborate with all stakeholders to ensure that taxpayer dollars are spent wisely. By being transparent and results-driven, we can maintain essential services without placing undue burden on residents.
I would focus on advocating and working to expand affordable and senior housing options and supporting policies that stabilize rents and reduce the risk of evictions. Through my role as Chairman of the Will County Center for Community Concerns, I would work to expand the support we offer, including housing counseling, emergency assistance, and wraparound services, to help residents maintain stability and proactively address factors that could lead to homelessness.
My decisions regarding data centers in Will County would be guided by balancing community impact with economic growth and sustainability. I would consider factors such as job creation, tax revenue, energy use, environmental impact, infrastructure demands, and effects on local neighborhoods. I would also ensure transparent review processes and community input, giving strong consideration to the quality of life for residents while supporting the county’s long-term economic opportunity.
I would address food insecurity by supporting both existing and new programs, including local food pantries, meal services, and nutrition initiatives. Expanding awareness and exposure of existing services is critical so residents know where and how to access help. I would also encourage partnerships with non-profits, schools, and faith-based organizations to reach vulnerable populations, and advocate for funding and resources to strengthen these programs. Additionally, I would support initiatives that address root causes of food insecurity, such as workforce development, affordable housing, and access to public benefits, ensuring residents have the tools to achieve long-term stability.
Campaign Phone
630-240-9178
We still have infrastructure concerns from the rapid growth of the county. We are currently addressing an updated plan for those problems. We have a very divided board and the current administration in DC continues to divide us even further. We are bringing in an outside consultant to see if we can develop a plan to work better in the future towards common goals.
We have reduced the Forest Preserve tax levy 2 years in a row and have a zero levy increase this coming year for the county tax.
We strive to just maintain existing services and continue to seek ways to streamline or lessen the cost of these. Right now we are focusing on our Sunny Hill Nursing Home. We have hired a consultant to help us reap a higher percentage of our actual costs from insurance companies, specifically Medicaid and Medicare.
We are always searching for grants that will help offset our costs, we have been very successful so far.
We stretch our Community Development Based Grant (CDBG) funds to help home owners with water and sewer, facilitating them hooking up to the new Joliet water facility. We also have staff at the courthouse to help those threatened with eviction and foreclosures. If I could wave a wand I would change zoning rules in the municipalities that have access to water and sewer as that would be the best way to bring in developers to build affordable housing. Easing rules that allow for multifamily units, reversing the trend of converting larger homes into single family. We don't provide water or sewer in our county so it is difficult for us to consider bringing developers into our zoning areas.
Our world now produces more energy with Wind and Solar than fossil and nuclear. Unfortunately China is the country leading the development of energy, we still lag behind. I believe we can supply what is needed by continuing to support these industries and do it without polluting our planet. Here in Will County we have a unique water source in the Braidwood plant, so co- locating a data center near this facility would ease the water concerns, again with smart planning and zoning I believe this would be a boon for our community.
We continue to support county food events by partnering with various organizations, we do focus on fresh vegetables frequently. We have also used grant funds to help support community gardens. Our health department has worked with the MAPP organization to create an online map of all pantry locations in the County.
Campaign Phone
6304845577
As our county grows, it is critical to expand access to affordable housing and attract employers that pay a living wage. Reviewing existing studies and requesting additional information will help ensure our policies are data-driven and responsive to community needs.
Residents need strong, reliable services and want to keep taxes low. The county has managed this balance well so far, and I am committed to working with county leadership to continue that success while ensuring services remain at the level our constituents are used to receiving.
Rising rents are putting real pressure on residents, and too many are facing housing insecurity or the risk of becoming unhoused. We need to fund services that help stabilize housing while also connecting residents with support from townships and trusted private agencies that can assist during times of need.
Data centers can bring economic opportunity, but they also raise concerns about land use, utilities, and neighborhood impacts. The county needs a clear, balanced approach to when and how these projects are supported or regulated.
The county has also made meaningful progress in addressing food insecurity. I would like to see these efforts expanded through stronger partnerships with community organizations, other government agencies, and private companies to reach more residents efficiently and effectively.
