Oak Lawn Dist. 2 Trustee: Julie Misner

Name: Julie Misner          

Position sought: 2nd District Trustee

Campaign information:

Campaign contact information:

• Campaign office address: 9632 S. Cicero Ave.

• Website: www.MipOakLawn.com
• Facebook: www.facebook.com/mayorsindependenceparty

• Email address: JulieMisner4D2@gmail.com
• Campaign phone: 708.229.0060

Personal Information

• Age: 46

• Family: Husband-Mike, 4 Daughters-Rebecca, Lauren, Kacie & Danielle
• Time living in Oak Lawn: Lifelong  District 2 Resident
• Education: Graduate of Oak Lawn High School
• Occupation: Administrative Assistant
• Political party affiliation, if any: Non-partisan election
• Previous elected offices (if applicable): District 123 Board of Education Secretary
• Applicable experience qualifying you for the position: Having served on the D123 Board of Education for the past 4 years, I have experienced the many challenges that our school district faces including staffing issues, budgetary constraints, contract negotiations and the hiring of two superintendents.

Candidate Questions:

 1. What is the primary reason you are running for this office?

I would like to represent the residents of the 2nd District in a manner in which I feel they should not only expect, but rightfully deserve.

2. Why do you deserve to be elected/reelected? What sets you apart from the other candidate(s)?

Why do you deserve to be elected/reelected? What sets you apart from the other candidate(s)? As a member of the D123 Board of Education, I have represented the students, staff, board, and community with integrity and professionalism over the past four years. My understanding of proper board procedures and governance training has played a tremendous role in the success of our district, ensuring the best education for all of the students that enter one of our D123 schools. I am confident that my experience will lead to similar success for the residents of District 2 and the Village of Oak Lawn as a whole.

 3. What are the three issues in the village that you feel need to be addressed right away? Why are these issues important?

Safety- Safety should always be at the top of a community’s priority list. It requires a continuous commitment from elected officials, the OL police, village employees, business owners and residents.

When a community is committed to safety, it attracts potential home-buyers looking to purchase a home within that community.

Business Development- With the addition of the 111th St development, Oak Lawn is sure to draw many great businesses to that location. I would also welcome the opportunity to invite new businesses into District 2. When business thrives, a community thrives.

Vacant Properties– This has been brought to my attention by several residents as an issue that needs to be reviewed promptly. With the downturn in the economy, many homes have been vacated and the maintenance on these homes has been neglected. Although the village isn’t responsible for the homes being vacant, it appears that there should be a greater responsibility to the neighboring homes as well as the village as a whole to intervene when these properties are neglected and fall into disrepair.

4. Give one example of how you would work with an adversarial village board?

To be adversarial is a choice. If a board member chooses to be adversarial, it negatively impacts the entire village. As a board member, I will behave in a manner that is professional and respectable, reminding the adversary, if necessary, that our job is to govern and represent the people we serve. It is not our job to intentionally be adversarial due to personal politics or personal agendas. I have served on a board for 4 years and have always agreed to disagree but done so in a respectful manner.

5. Should Advocate Christ Medical Center be required to pay impact fees and permit fees for future expansion? Why or why not?

Since this became a hot topic, I believe that the board has changed the ordinance requiring Advocate, as well as other non-profit organizations to pay permit fees.

6. Should there be a cap on video gaming licences granted to the new businesses coming to Oak Lawn? Why or why not?

The current board approved video gaming unanimously! This approval didn’t come with stipulations at the time. The fact is that gaming licenses are tied to liquor licenses and once an establishment acquires a liquor license, they can then apply for a gaming license through the state of IL. Perhaps this suggested cap should have been discussed prior to the vote to approve and subsequently creating the situation that the board is currently in. If potential businesses are interested in gaming and they are denied a license, they will most likely choose to open their business in a neighboring community that will in fact approve their license. It appears that this topic required more thought and discussion than it received prior to voting to approve.

7.  What do you like best about Oak Lawn?

I love the sense of community and pride that is shared by so many of the residents, old and new!