Christy McGovern: 2025 candidate for Lisle village board

Bio

Office Sought: Lisle village board (Vote for 3)

City: Lisle

Age: 51

Occupation: Spanish teacher

Previous offices held: Current Lisle Township Trustee, former Lisle Village Trustee (2016-17)

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

The most serious issue in our community is glaring, we have many vacant building and parcels in Lisle that could be re gentrified and reoccupied by businesses that could help our local economy thrive.

As it stands now, our downtown area could be a hindrance to potential business. We need to examine the procedures used by planning and zoning; we want to facilitate growth structurally, ascetically, and through events within our community. Reinforcing the brand and beauty of Lisle will help to put heads in beds (highest sales tax benefit; hotels) and allow local businesses and our committee in turn to prosper.

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?

I think finances in Lisle could be volatile if we lose just one car dealership in town. We need the sales tax revenue to hold the local taxes and level of service Lisle provides. One area of service that has been slim the last couple of years if the Lisle police force, an essential component to the safety of our community.

We need to place priority on businesses and projects that get “heads in beds” and increase sales tax revenue, businesses. We should collaborate with other city councils and villages boards on projects such as the DuPage bike path in order to bring people to Lisle, a place of commerce, natural beauty, and a hospitable community.

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?

Downtown and Community Park really hold the heartbeat of the community. I’m a proponent of a variety of live music entertainment events and more frequent community gathering events in these areas.

I’d like to see hot air balloons brought back featuring a weekend’s lineup of music events that Lisle’s Community Park can beautifully hold.

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 am a great decision maker because I’m a great listener. I listen to the ideas of the community, data, budgets, and board members. I’m a prepared personality, always coming to the table with a plan or idea, but I’m open minded to the ideas and input of others. I’m adaptable and goal minded. I want to move to Lisle to the forefront of small town quality, personality, and strength.

What makes you the best candidate for the job?

I have a sharp eye on efficiency and posses the experience to understand how to make an idea a reality in local government.

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

Let’s make access to mental health help more accessible. In working in the Lisle Township Board, and closely with the 708 Mental Health Board, I’ve realized the funds compiled by a referendum vote could help save a life.

I’d like to see a consistent presence of a social worker for community access within our library, where several shelter insecure individuals can be found, or other community buildings, where citizens can make appointments free of charge. Goal: let’s grow a healthier community.