Karen M. Eggert: 2025 candidate for Round Lake Park village board

Bio

Office sought: Round Lake Park village board

City: Round Lake Park

Age: 60

Occupation: HR Service Center Team Lead

Previous offices held: Village Trustee since 2021, Village Clerk (2013-21)

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

You could say something like this: The most pressing issue facing our village in the coming years is the need for a new police department with holding cells. Currently, neighboring communities that have holding cells are unwilling to take on the liability of housing our detainees.

This leaves us in a difficult position, and we must begin planning and budgeting for a solution. It’s critical that we address this now to ensure the safety and efficiency of our law enforcement operations.

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?

Our village’s finances are in good order, with minimal extraneous spending. Given this strong financial position, we should prioritize projects that directly benefit our residents.

One key focus should be beautifying our beach area, as it is a highly used community space. Additionally, we should continue investing in road resurfacing to maintain and improve our village’s infrastructure.

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?

One of the most critical infrastructure projects for our village is building a new police department that properly meets the needs of our community. Right now, our officers are working out of a building that originally served as a pet shop when I was growing up here.

Over the years, additions have been made in a piecemeal fashion, but it’s not a sustainable or efficient solution. We need to invest in a properly designed facility that ensures our law enforcement has the resources and space necessary to serve our community effectively.

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.

With over 35 years of experience in human resources, I have worked extensively in both setting and administering policies. I thrive in group settings, where I take the time to listen to everyone’s ideas and collaborate to reach a consensus. Whether in my HR role or in my involvement with the village, my goal is always to develop policies that best serve the people they impact — be it employees or community members.

What makes you the best candidate for the job?

What makes me the best candidate for this role is my deep-rooted commitment to our community. I have lived in Round Lake Park for nearly my entire life and still reside in my childhood home. My family has strong ties here — my grandparents were among the founding members of Round Lake Park.

I genuinely care about our residents and believe in serving with honesty and integrity. My focus is always on what benefits the community, not personal gain, ensuring that every decision is made with the best interests of our residents.

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

I want to explore ways to bring retail opportunities to the Saddlebrook area to better serve its residents. Having more retail options closer to home would enhance convenience and improve the overall quality of life for the community.

I believe we should look into potential partnerships, zoning opportunities, and incentives that could attract businesses to the area while ensuring sustainable growth.