Lauren Klauer: 2025 candidate for Barrington village board

Bio

Office Sought: Barrington village board (Vote for 3)

City: Barrington

Age: 43

Occupation: No answer given

Previous offices held: No answer given

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

The majority of the Barrington Forward team, along with the rest of the village board, implemented a five-year strategic plan to position the village to continue to responsibly grow businesses, jobs and activity in our thriving community.

Over the next 4 years, our goal is to continue to nurture this strategic plan while also seeing current community driven projects to fruition, which we believe will take effective collaboration to execute. We will be adding a new community park downtown, adding paths and sidewalks (especially around schools) to make our community more connected while maintaining our village heritage and charm.

Our village and community needs steady leadership that can complete these projects, effectively communicate to and with residents and ensure we stay within budget.

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?

Barrington has a history of fiscal responsibility and we intend to maintain that standard in the coming years. The current board has established a responsible reserve by cutting unnecessary spending and promoting growth within the village to produce needed revenue. Thus, the board has maintained a balanced budget while holding the line on taxes, paid off bonds and passed the property tax savings to village residents and businesses.

As a result, the village’s bond rating was increased to the highest level possible for a non-home rule community of our size. The board has also leveraged every possible state and federal grant, securing more than $100 million for projects both past and current. We will continue to go through the grants process in order to put as little fiscal strain on residents as possible.

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?

While there are many infrastructure projects that are currently being addressed, the most important is the completion of the Route 14 underpass. This is pressing because this roadway will ensure an unimpeded route to Good Shepherd Hospital, it will improve public safety response times and reduce traffic delays. Nearly 100% of the cost of this project will be covered by state and federal funding, leaving village taxpayers responsible for very minimal completion costs.

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.

Collaboration is central to my leadership approach. My many experiences in group settings have taught me the value of open communication, mutual respect and active listening in order to understand. I will work to ensure all voices — residents, local leaders and fellow elected officials — are heard and strongly considered.

My style is rooted in transparency and empathy. I am focused on shared understanding of issues, encouraging diverse perspectives and building consensus based on common goals. Engaging the community through forums, surveys and conversations is important to ensure we are making decisions that reflect the priorities of the people.

I believe this collaborative approach will foster trust, unity and balanced solutions which will result in policies that are truly beneficial to the village. Through partnership with the board and the community, I am committed to effective governance that delivers meaningful, lasting results which will continue to move Barrington Forward.

What makes you the best candidate for the job?

I am the best candidate for this job because I am running solely to serve the community. I do not have a personal agenda or an axe to grind. I am open-minded, practical, collaborative, and interested in learning all viewpoints on any topic.

I am committed to being a constructive team member on the village board, one who promotes positivity and inclusion. I love Barrington and I want to help nurture its growth into the town that our community is asking for.

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

I think there are interesting ways to promote new business and restaurant development in our town that we haven’t seen here before.

For example, creating spaces for some shared food hall and marketplaces that foster local artisan vendors, food stalls and specialty shops will drive interest to our downtown area by offering diverse concepts in one place. It could be beneficial for consumers and small business owners alike. Through the work of the village board, we can find ways to make these concepts a practical reality for the right developers.