Jennifer Veremis: 2023 candidate for Elmhurst City Council Ward 1

Bio

Town: Elmhurst

Age on Election Day: 44

Occupation: Certified small business and entrepreneur coach and consultant, assisting business owners and operators with goal setting, financial management, operational efficiencies, time management, and productivity.

Employer: President, Jennifer Veremis| Goal.Get.Her Inc.

Previous offices held: Elmhurst Alderman Ward 1 since 2020 and Elmhurst City Centre board of directors

Q&A

Q: What is the most serious issue your community will face in the coming years and how should the city council respond to it?

A: Elmhurst is a mature community that requires maintenance to keep our infrastructure reliable and ensure our residents' public health and safety. Our wastewater treatment facility is over 40 years old, and the equipment needs to be revamped to meet federal requirements.

The General Assembly passed an unfunded mandate to replace lead service lines. While Elmhurst has made significant strides in stormwater management, we must meet our five-year capital plan. Maintaining our investment is equally important.

Keeping our streets in good repair is critical for the safety of pedestrians, cyclists, and motorists. We need additional electric vehicle charging stations to align with our sustainability plan. Reliable infrastructure protects home values, increases public health and safety.We must continue our proactive financial approach by increasing and diversifying our tax base. Prioritizing our 5-10 capital plan will pay for repairs responsibly without overburdening residents.

Q: How would you describe the state of your community's finances?

A: The City of Elmhurst has successfully maintained a flat tax levy for the past two years, despite inflationary pressures and COVID-19 residual effects on expenses. Elmhurst maintains a AAA bond rating, 16 years in a row our budget received the GFOA award.

Only $0.07 of every property tax dollar goes to the city of Elmhurst. We are committed to fully funding our pensions and are in a stronger position than other communities. To maintain our exceptional city services, such as public safety, and ease residents' burden, I will continue scrutinizing spending and identifying creative cost-saving options.

I proposed a revised billing policy that will result in annual savings of over $200,000. One crucial aspect is examining new income sources to generate revenue and effectively provide services. I have served on the city's finance committee and will remain a good steward of taxpayer resources. The city's finances reflect a disciplined approach to spending that I am committed to continuing.

Q: What should be the three top priorities for spending in your community during the next four years?

A: This year, our citywide survey found that 98% of respondents rated Elmhurst as an excellent or good place to live. I have been honored to be a part of that effort.

I worked alongside colleagues to update the city's 2022 strategic plan and advocated to include community stakeholders and residents in the process. Together, we collaborated to establish and prioritize goals. Three priority areas for spending are infrastructure, traffic safety, and downtown improvements.

Elmhurst is a mature community that requires maintenance to keep our infrastructure reliable for our residents. We must continue to enhance traffic flow and pedestrian safety by conducting additional neighborhood traffic studies and implementing proposed solutions.

Lastly, our downtown area needs to be updated to maximize public space and pedestrian access and incorporate urban design concepts, like outdoor dining and public art. I have collaboratively initiated this process at the city council level.

Q: Are there areas of spending that need to be curtailed? If so, what are they?

A: First and foremost, I am a resident. Spending must continually be reviewed and prioritized. Inflation directly affects residents from every walk of life, including my mother, an Elmhurst resident and senior on a fixed income, who must make difficult choices due to spiraling costs.

As a member of the finance committee, I am committed to making those same tough decisions to maintain our public health and safety and our quality of life without increasing the tax burden on residents.

As Alderman, I will continue to insist on exploring cost reductions, reviewing spending, eliminating waste, and adequately allocating funds for the greatest efficiency. Our taxpayers deserve nothing less.

I support assessing city-owned real estate assets to identify properties that are not critical to the city's mission and ensure the community's benefit is maximized. My goal is to maintain stellar city services and systems and reduce reliance on property taxes.

Q: What do you see as the most important infrastructure project the community must address? Why and how should it be paid for? Conversely, during these uncertain economic times, what project(s) can be put on the back burner?

A: The most critical infrastructure issue is upgrading the city's water reclamation facility. We must modernize the facility and reconfigure the plant to remove phosphorus during treatment. Phosphorus removal is required by the U.S. and Illinois Environmental Protection Agencies which clean effluent water to the waterways. The last rehabilitation to our facility was nearly 30 years ago.

The aging internals of the water reclamation facility include new clarifiers, excess flow/chlorine contact tanks, all disinfection equipment, sludge drying bed valving and concrete, boiler systems, and rehabilitation of the non-potable water system will bring the plant processes back up to 20-year life expectancy.

It is the crucial foundation of the city's sanitary and sewer infrastructure. Capital investment is required and staff and council secured a low-interest loan from the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency. The city will only draw on the loan what is necessary to complete the project.

Q: Describe your experience working in a group setting to determine policy. What is your style in such a setting to reach agreement and manage local government? Explain how you think that will be effective in producing effective actions and decisions with your city council.

A: I am accustomed to working and collaborating with community alliances, committees, organizations, and city staff. Collaboration, research, listening and respecting multiple perspectives has always been my method for determining the best outcomes for Elmhurst. My approach has proven effective as an elected official and at the grass-roots level.

As an alderman, I successfully initiated policy changes based on residents' concerns and observations, including a new standardized response to traffic and safety, advocating for the city's first neighborhood-wide traffic study, and construction site standards.

I led a resident group seeking a neighborhood park in an underserved area and worked with staff and elected officials to secure a commitment from the park district to acquire land and construct a park.

I spearheaded Keep Elmhurst Vibrant, a successful effort of over 200 neighbors to oppose a gas station development along Salt Creek that did not fit the character of the neighborhood.

Q: What makes you the best candidate for the job?

A: Experience, commitment, love, and respect for our great city where I have lived for over 20 years. As Alderman, I have worked to protect the taxpayers, improve public safety, and enhance the quality of life for all.

I understand the municipal processes and know how to get things done and move issues vital to Ward 1 forward, including maintaining a flat tax, initiating a new approach to traffic and safety, adopting construction site standards, completing the College View stormwater project, and spearheading a new neighborhood park in an underserved area.

I am the only small business owner on city council and understand the challenges businesses face. I have enhanced the city's communication channels, including increased communication specific to Ward 1 constituents. As an Alderman, I strive to be approachable, accessible, transparent, accountable and understand what is important to residents. My dedication and proven results to our community make me the best candidate for the job.

Q: What's one good idea you have to better the community that no one is talking about yet?

A: A Senior Savings program would consist of reduced prices and special offers citywide for seniors. Our city and community partners offer terrific events and marketing efforts for young families, kids and Gen-Xers.

A program for seniors would be a welcoming addition to our community. Senior Savings would be a positive initiative to incentivize seniors to shop locally, increase inclusivity, encourage socialization, and generate new business on a slower weekday for merchants.

Our seniors make up 17% of our overall population in Elmhurst. They have raised their families in Elmhurst and helped build our thriving community.

This program is an excellent opportunity to let our senior citizens know how much we value their business and decades of contributions to Elmhurst. Additionally, in our economy, seniors would appreciate their dollars going further.