Debra L. Piscola: 2025 candidate for Winfield village board

Bio

Office Sought: Winfield village board (Vote for 3)

City: Winfield

Age: 60

Occupation: Vice president of Local Government Affairs

Previous offices held: Winfield Village Trustee 2021-25

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 facing the village is the redevelopment of Town Center and the construction of a new police station/village hall all of which can be done without raising resident’s taxes with the use of TIF funds. The use of TIF funds to redevelop Town Center has already led to new businesses, such as Sweet Reserve Bakery, establishing new locations in Town Center.

Additionally, the use of TIF funds has incentivized the developer of the Winfield Reserve apartment complex to build in Town Center. The combination of relocating the police station/ village hall to a new location within Town Center not only opens a key space for commercial development but also resolves the urgent need to replace the antiquated police station and village hall.

All taxing bodies in Winfield stand to benefit from the anticipated property taxes generated by the commercial development and the sharing of excess TIF funds. The village board should continue to work toward a settlement with the school districts that will create a win-win solution to the ongoing dispute and fulfill the vision for Town Center and create new revenue for all taxing bodies.

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?

The village’s finances are strong, thanks to strong fiscal management and oversight. The village’s debt service as a percentage of noncapital expenditures is the lowest in 10 years. The village has maintained an Aa2 bond rating, which is an indicator of the village’s ability to meet its financial obligations.

The village’s long-term liabilities have decreased from prior year amounts due to meeting and/or exceeding the obligations to fund the police pension fund and the early repayment of debt obligations. Commercial development has resulted in quadrupling sales tax revenue over the last 10 years, most of which is derived from purchasers outside of the village.

The village continues to invest in long- and short-term investments to ensure financial viability in the future. The top priorities for spending include capital expenditures related to improving the water and sewer infrastructure, continued maintenance of roads, and the replacement of the bridge over the DuPage River.

This last expenditure is funded in part from a grant by the state of Illinois. The village should continue to explore creative funding opportunities to complete capital projects.

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?

In addition to the continued maintenance of roads, water and sewer infrastructure and the replacement of the bridge over the DuPage River, I believe the construction of a new police station/village hall will be one of the most important infrastructure projects the village will undertake in the next few years.

Thanks to the development agreement between the village and Northwestern Hospital this project will be funded without the use of taxpayer dollars. The village’s strong financial position has resulted in funding infrastructure projects such as the annual road and water/sewer maintenance without the need to raise taxes. State and federal grants will be used to assist in funding the bridge replacement.

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.

As a village trustee currently working in a group setting to determine policy, I think it is important to listen and fully understand the viewpoints of my fellow elected officials and staff. We won’t reach consensus without understanding each other’s ideas and concerns. I also believe it is OK to disagree on policy matters, but it is never OK to be disagreeable.

I educate myself on policy matters prior to the board vote and endeavor to be fully prepared for the policy discussion. It is important to be open-minded to the viewpoints of the other board members to reach consensus. I have conducted myself in this manner as a village trustee and I believe this is the most effective way to discuss policy matters and reach consensus on decision making.

What makes you the best candidate for the job?

I am currently in my first term as village trustee and am seeking another term to continue to build upon the strides that have been made since my election.

Professionally, I am a vice president with a Fortune 30 media and technology company working in the government affairs field. I have worked with local and state governments for over 24 years and understand fully the role of local government. I currently serve on several nonprofit boards including Easterseals of DuPage and Fox Valley and Second City Canine Rescue.

Gov. JB Pritzker appointed me to serve on the Illinois Statewide 911 advisory board where I work alongside emergency management professionals across the state. I am a good fiscal manager, work collaboratively across multiple levels of organizations, seek creative solutions to complex problems, and recognize the benefits of both long-term and short-term goals.

I have a vision for Winfield that includes adding new restaurants and businesses to Town Center, completing Riverwalk Park, increasing amenities for residents and ensuring a strong fiscal position for the village. I believe I am the best candidate to achieve this vision.

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

According to the U.S. Census Bureau over 21.9% of Winfield residents are over 65 years old. This is compared to 17.6% across the state of Illinois. I am interested in starting a program to support our older residents. This support may include creating village-funded community events geared to older residents.