Michele Hunter: 2025 candidate for Arlington Heights village board

Bio

Office sought: Arlington Heights village board (Vote for 4)

City: Arlington Heights

Age: 56

Occupation: Attorney

Previous offices held: None

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

Top issues include economic development for residents and businesses, sensible infrastructure to enhance our village's value, and community safety to counter increased crime.

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?

Arlington Heights is currently operating at a surplus budget level. Top priorities include recruiting firefighter/EMS staff to field mental health calls and staff the latest ambulance purchase.

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?

Clean water free of lead pipes, a zero waste program, and water main maintenance are top priorities already allotted for in the budget.

What economic incentives, if any, should Arlington Heights be willing to offer the Chicago Bears to attract the team's stadium project to Arlington Park? Please explain your reasoning.

Any economic incentives offered to the Bears would depend on the economic impact statement provided by the Bears and their compliance with the memorandum of understanding.

If the Bears succeed in developing a new stadium in Chicago instead of Arlington Heights, what type of development would you want to see on the Arlington Park property? How would you see that benefiting the community?

I support keeping Arlington Park zoned recreational and would entertain any concepts provided by commercial developers.

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 village board.

I always listen to every viewpoint presented and thoroughly consider it before making a decision. I also trust the experts in the field to weigh in on important issues.

What makes you the best candidate for the job?

My legal background of over 22 years that involved municipal law and local governance, my small business background, and the fact that I have the time and energy to devote to this vital village position.

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

An apprenticeship program to attract new police officers and expanded hours for parking in downtown Arlington Heights.