Endorsements: Miller, Schmidt and Jarosch for Elk Grove Village trustee seats
This endorsement is a consensus opinion of the Daily Herald Editorial Board.
With a thriving business park, exciting plans for a new development to transform the village's oldest shopping center on the northern edge of town and another splashy marketing move - sponsoring a car in this summer's NASCAR race in Chicago - Elk Grove Village has a lot of momentum right now.
It's that kind of leadership that has allowed the village to give residents $400 in credits on their water bills and every residence a $200 gift card.
The town has also has four high-quality candidates seeking three seats on the village board in the April 4 election.
Incumbents Tammy Miller, who was appointed to the board in November 2021, and Stephen Schmidt, first elected in 2019, are seeking reelection. They are joined by challengers Kathryn Jarosch and Monika Stajniak.
Miller, a former director/manager at the Elk Grove Village Park District, has experience on both the operations and policy sides of government. She wants to see the village continue to focus on reinvesting in streets, roads and sidewalks to make the village more walkable and bikeable.
Schmidt, a longtime member of the Elk Grove Village Police Department who served as chief for 17 years, wants the board to focus on recruiting and hiring qualified people to fill vacancies in the village.
Both Jarosch, an Elk Grove Village business owner and library board trustee, and Stajniak, a resident of the village for more than a decade with nonprofit experience, would like to see the village expand its Elk Grove Cares program to reach more residents facing challenges other than addiction.
All four of the candidates understand how important a vital business park is to the future of the village.
Elk Grove Village has a lot going for it thanks to the leadership of the current board. Incumbents Miller and Schmidt are endorsed. Both Jarosch and Stajniak would make fine additions to the board. Jarosch's experience with the library board would allow her to hit the ground running. Jarosch is endorsed.