Lori Chassee: 2025 candidate for West Chicago City Council Ward 1

Bio

Office Sought: West Chicago City Council Ward 1

City: West Chicago

Age: Not given

Occupation: Victim Assistance Coordinator, Diocese of Joliet

Previous offices held: Ward 1 Alderman since 2001; chair, Civil Service Commission

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

A serious issue that we will be facing is the continued reduction in funds available for city projects and service delivery. Forward momentum on downtown redevelopment, attracting more business to our community will continue to be important in the years to come.

Modernizing our operations, reducing staff time and cost, while giving more access to our community members and developers will help to continue our growth process. The city council will have to work with staff to promote alternative funding sources, continuing to increase organizational efficiencies, and advocating with state and local representatives for supports for West Chicago.

We have many excellent projects that are on-track, our park development of the former Kerr-McGee site, lead service line replacement, West Washington street improvements and remediation, all of which have funding sources secured. It is important that the council encourage and work with staff to continue our fiscal responsibility with project implementation.

How would you describe the state of your community's finances? What should be the top priorities for spending during the next few years? Are there areas of spending that need to be curtailed?

We are very proud of the fact that our budget remains balanced and we operated in the black through the pandemic and beyond, unlike many of our neighboring communities. This has been accomplished through creative solutions to reduce costs, including outsourcing certain functions. Our staff has been aggressive in cost cutting and increasing efficiencies as well as seeking out grants to support our projects.

Our audits have consistently resulted in the GFOA Certificates of Achievement. That said, these are uncertain times and with the state continually reducing our share of the Local Municipal Distributive Fund, the removal of the grocery tax, which will result in a loss in excess of $400,000 per year and federal dollars in limbo, we will have to be vigilant in looking for alternative funding sources and reducing project scopes where possible.

Our top infrastructure priorities will be upgrades to the water distribution system, maintenance and repair of city streets, protecting the safety of our community. Of course, the largest component of the budget is personnel and benefits, an area where we are already operating with unfilled vacancies.

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?

There are several projects upcoming that are significant. It has become clear that many communities are faced with replacing lead service lines for water delivery. As infrastructure ages we have learned that lead deteriorates and we need to do better. While we do not have the same magnitude of lead piping as some communities, we are actively engaging in a three year replacement program of lead service lines.

The city has sought and will receive a 0% interest loan, the principle of which will likely be forgiven in order to begin this process. We have also approved funding through grants for replacement and repair of city streets in our industrial areas, long overdue. I think it is important to note that we are diligent in identifying and approving funding, prior to initiating significant projects.

The downtown redevelopment plan called for in both our strategic plan and comprehensive plan, crafted with the input of the community, should continue to be a focus. With our new development programs and including water and sewer improvements for the downtown, we continue to attract more interest and more growth for our community. This of course is a long range project.

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

In addition to my time on the city council, I have held multiple leadership positions that had me working in group settings. In my role as the executive director of a Children's Advocacy Center (retired), I was responsible for coordination with multiple law enforcement agencies, and other county wide agencies, along with a staff of 18.

I am also involved in leadership with a service organization including becoming an area chairman covering the entire state of Illinois, responsible for coordinating with 10 district organizations.

My experiences have taught me that education, inclusion, and communication are primary in arriving at consensus. I prepare and share the current information available with all parties to decision making and invite comment and alternative viewpoints to be shared and vetted. It is important that people have a voice in the discussions in order to facilitate both buy-in and agreement.

My personal style is one of candor, good humor, and respect for individual's input. I have been known to change my mind when alternative facts are presented — and that in itself is a skill not always seen.

What makes you the best candidate for the job?

I am a whole community candidate with a love for this city, not a single issue or retribution candidate. I have received the support and respect of my colleagues, I have connections beyond the city that I bring to the table, and I am not rigid in my ideation. I have continued to support modernization of our processes and inclusion at every level. I think it is also important that I understand the civic process.

I know that the role of the council is strategic and not operational. I understand that we have some of the best civic/professional minds on our staff and allow them to perform to their functions of expertise. I have been responsive to citizen concerns when they are brought to me and share gladly with fellow alderman and staff to brainstorm and find positive solutions where possible.

I am also willing to articulate that sought after solutions may not be possible, when that is what is called for. I am willing to take the heat rather than equivocate or dodge a difficult discussion.

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

To partner with our newest business incentives, I would like to start discussing a small business incubation program to bring new local businesses to our community. Many approaches can be used to help facilitate online operations to bricks and mortar businesses for example.

Public-private partnerships to help support and promote entrepreneurship could bring dividends to our community. We are fortunate to have a very active chamber of commerce and I see them as a perfect partner in such a plan.