A. Suresh Reddy: 2025 candidate for Oak Brook village board
Bio
Office sought: Oak Brook village board (Vote for 3)
City: Oak Brook
Age: 59
Occupation: Medical doctor
Previous offices held: Oak Brook Village Trustee since 2021
What is the most serious issue your community will face in the coming years and how should the village board respond to it?
Public safety is our top priority, and we’re taking proactive steps to ensure it. With our new police chief, advanced license plate reader cameras, and rapid-response drones reaching any location within 45 seconds, we prioritize safety for all residents and businesses.
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?
Right now we are on a robust financial strength. We have reversed our financial course through strategic cuts and smart decisions. The Sports Core, once a huge loss, is now profitable, saving hundreds of thousands by exiting the restaurant business. By managing projects in-house, we have further reduced costs. We must continue this disciplined approach to sustain our village’s continued success.
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?
We are now on a robust financial footing, thanks to the positive balances in our sports score. With a significant cash reserve, we are poised to invest in transformative infrastructure projects. This strategic growth is being achieved without incurring any debt, reflecting our prudent financial management and unwavering commitment to a prosperous, sustainable future.
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.
Our team approach fosters mutual respect, ensuring diverse perspectives are heard. By focusing on community needs and practical solutions, we help build consensus.
This cooperative style promotes efficient, effective decisions, aligning the board’s goals with residents interests for sustainable, community-focused governance.
What makes you the best candidate for the job?
My professional experience at my workplace as a physician has provided me with extensive expertise in human resources, teamwork, and leadership transitions.
In my role, decisions are made collaboratively, with input from all team members, ensuring a collective approach rather than relying on individual judgment. This inclusive decision-making process has been instrumental in fostering a strong sense of unity and shared purpose within the team.
One of my notable achievements was participating in the selection process for a village manager. The candidate we chose has proven to be exceptionally successful, significantly elevating the village’s profile and putting it on the map as a model of excellence. This accomplishment underscores my ability to contribute to strategic decision-making and my commitment to achieving impactful outcomes.
What’s one good idea you have to better the community that no one is talking about yet?
To continue the progress and success of the district, while enhancing its beautification and ensuring it remains a vibrant, accessible commercial and economic engine, here are some actionable steps:
1. Sustain beautification efforts: Continue the beautification project focusing on landscaping, public art installations, and maintaining cleanliness. Involve the community by organizing volunteer cleanup drives and tree-planting events to foster a sense of ownership and pride.
2. Enhance accessibility: Improve pedestrian and cycling infrastructure with wider sidewalks, bike lanes, and clear signage. Ensure public transportation is efficient and well-connected to