Jeanne E. Balmes: 2025 candidate for Gurnee village board

Bio

Office Sought: Gurnee village board (Vote for 3)

City: Gurnee

Age: 75

Occupation: Florist

Previous offices held: Gurnee village trustee since 2001

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

Keeping the quality of life viable. Keeping business growth, continued economic responsibility, relationships with intergovernmental agencies, listening to residents, and open communication.

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?

Gurnee has been very responsible in managing its spending and keeps a strong reserve. The village has been very lucky with its management team.

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?

The village is aware of old piping and underground work to update our infrastructure. Our village engineer has prioritized and identified what needs to be done and the village has been budgeting appropriately every year from the capital budget. This has also done for the roads and sidewalks.

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 have owned my own business and have been involved in many organizations in the past. It is important to identify what needs to be done, prioritize it, budget accordingly and follow through to completion.

What makes you the best candidate for the job?

Involvement in the community and working toward its betterment.

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

I wish I had some brainstorm to answer this question. The village has been blessed with a great staff and leadership currently and in the past.

The staff is so on top of what needs to be done and constantly comes up with new ideas. Through surveys and communication, the residents also have contributed recommendations to enhance what is already a great community.