Lucy Santorsola: Candidate Profile

Note: Answers provided have not been edited for grammar, misspellings or typos. In some instances, candidate claims that could not be immediately verified have been omitted. Jump to:BioKey IssuesQA Bio City: ItascaWebsite: Candidate did not respond.Office sought: Itasca Village boardAge: 46Family: Married, 2 SonsOccupation: Project ManagerEducation: BA Degree from DePaul University 1986Post Graduate CourseworkCivic involvement: Treasurer for the Saint Viator Hockey ClubRules and Ethics committee member for the Saint Viator Hockey ClubYouth travel hockey manager Parent volunteer for Itasca School District 10Parent volunteer for Itasca Dolphins swim team, soccer and travel baseball teams.Elected offices held: Village of Itasca Trustee 2009 - 2011Have you ever been arrested for or convicted of a crime? If yes, please explain: NoCandidate's Key Issues Key Issue 1 The Village needs to continue to be an active member in advocating for economic growth opportunities as it relates to the Elgin-O'Hare Expressway project. We need to ensure that all four interchanges are built to allow easy access to businesses and residents.Key Issue 2 It is important to maintain our quality of life yet explore opportunities for community enhancement and growth. It is absolutely imperative to keep the Village finances strong and respectfully plan for the future. We need to review expenditures and determine what can be reduced or delayed.Key Issue 3 Strategic planning and development of the Elgin-O'Hare corridor, widening of Rowling road and continuing to make improvements to infrastructure. This will allow Itasca to remain attractive to not only residents but establishing and building strong business partnerships.Questions Answers What makes you the best candidate for the job?I have extensive professional experience that includes nineteen years of public service in senior management and project management for the second largest Housing Authority in the the State of Illinois. Collaborated with officials from HUD, CEDA, Department of Human Services, neighboring Public Housing Authorities, and affiliated government and mayoral committees to ensure compliance with the rules and regulations of the program.On a personal level, my family ties are well rooted in this community where my husband and I are raising 2 sons, my mother and both my sisters and their families reside in Itasca as well.Given the delicate balance between the need for revenue and over-taxing local businesses, what is your opinion of your community's present level of local sales taxes? Is the tax just right, too low or too high? Explain.Given the current economic climate, the Village has been able to sustain a high level of service utilizing the present level of sales tax. Looking to the future, the Village Board must look to diversify the revenue base so that we are not so dependent on sales tax revenue.Talking with your friends and neighbors, what seems to be their biggest public safety concern? Explain the concern as you see it, and discuss how you think it should be addressed.The Village of Itasca became the first municipality to be designated as a Safe Community. Itasca has a progressive Police Department that collaborated with schools, park district, fire department, library, residents and volunteers to earn this designation. Friends and neighbors recognize that public safety involves the community working together to maintain this status at public events, festivals and being prepared for emergencies. This not only promotes quality of life but establishes the Village as a tight-knit community where businesses will want to relocate.In these tight economic times, municipal budgets have to be prioritized. Where, if anywhere, could the current budget be trimmed, and conversely, are there areas the budget does not give enough money to?The Village needs to determine through a comprehensive review how to minimize a deficit in the budget through reducing expenditures or adjusting revenues to make up for shortfalls. Some of this may be accomplished by reducing or scaling back on services, festivals or events. There are several capital improvement projects that have been deferred or delayed. It is important to maintain our infrastructure and stay on course for the future.What#146;s one good idea you have to better the community that no one is talking about yet?Manage and maximize any economic growth opportunities that become available as a result of the expansion Elgin-O'Hare expressway.