Madhu Uppal: 2023 candidate for Naperville City Council, 4-year term

Bio

Town: Naperville

Age on Election Day: 73

Occupation: Retired

Employer: N/A

Previous offices held: Naperville Library Board for eight years

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: The aging infrastructure appears to be the issue that is going to place the biggest challenge to the city. The water treatment plant needs to made compliant with EPA rules for phosphorus levels and other chemicals, the remaining lead water pipes need to be removed and overhead electric lines need to be buried.

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

A: At moment, the city finances appear to be very healthy and no new taxes are planned. However, some major expenditures are on the horizon. The work anticipated on the water treatment plant, upgrading of police department radios to meet federal requirements for emergency preparedness, fire department computer system upgrades, etc. will require the city to likely issue bonds to pay for these projects.

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

A: a.) Upgrades to the infrastructure so the city can continue to be a desirable place to attract new businesses and provide residents and businesses with reliable and reasonably priced municipal services.

b.) Upgrades of technology needs of the Police and Fire Departments to continue to make the community of Naperville a safe and welcoming place for families and businesses.

c.) Study to find and implement plans to increase the economic vibrancy of stretches of east Ogden, the old Butera store strip mall area on Maple Avenue, and other areas that are not only not contributing to city's economic engine and also impacting the neighboring properties and families' quality of life.

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

A: I don't believe I have enough information at this time to suggest any curtailments in city spending.

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: Upgrade of the water treatment plant on Plainfield/Naperville Road appears to be the most urgent project that needs to be undertaken.

Since the cost of the project would be well over $50 million, bonds would likely be issued to pay for this large capital expense. There are smaller projects like beautification and signage, etc. that could be considered for postponement, if the city's fiscal situation appears to change.

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 have worked with large groups of school administrators and teachers in various setting. Some of the somewhat controversial decisions have centered around family and health education. As the lead on this type of decision making, I have worked with parents, teachers, administrators and consultants to work toward consensus building.

I have also worked with large and diverse groups like fire and police chiefs, community colleges to build state and federal level grant funding applications. I am confident of my skills in listening to all the stakeholders, studying the financial commitments required for success and making decisions that are based on reliable data.

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

A: I am a true nonpartisan candidate who will always put the interests of the community of Naperville before any political agenda. Having lived in this community, having my daughters graduate from Naperville schools, having been a middle school science teacher in District 203 and being involved in a wide range of volunteer and other social activities gives me the breadth and depth of experience and understanding of this community that cannot be matched.

Having served as a trustee of the Naperville Library Board for six years, the last two as its president, has given me a good understanding of how the city government works, including the budgeting process and fiscal management.

Currently I serve on the board of Martin Ave Apartments. I have excellent skills to successfully work with people of diverse backgrounds. And most of all, I am that honest, thoughtful, analytical and informed person we want our elected officials to be!

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

A: Enhanced services to support our seniors to successfully age in place! As the senior population of the city grows, something happening across most of the developed world, we need to find innovative ways to build partnerships with schools and other civic spaces to renovate and repurpose buildings to meet the growing needs of this segment of our community.