Jeannie Lee-Macatangay: 2025 candidate for Mount Prospect village board

Bio

Office Sought: Mount Prospect village board (Vote for 3)

City: Mount Prospect

Age: 51

Occupation: Business owner & Realtor

Previous offices held: None

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

Possible payout for the Prestige lawsuit. The board should hire an independent company to research if there were any issues the village can get in front of and hold accountability to any inappropriate actions. Village finances, with the future discontinue of the grocery tax, how will the board supplement the lost revenue.

Additional areas may warrant reevaluation to determine if those expenditures should proceed. Federal grant cuts, the village should be proactive instead of being reactive for how federal grant cuts could impact Mount Prospect.

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?

Mount Prospect finances can be better. Mount Prospect currently holds $136 million in cash and investments. The top priorities should be public safety, road improvement, and preparing for federal grant cuts.

Areas we should curtail. Our village manager is one of the highest paid with a 6.5% increase this year at $312k with potential compensation totaling $371k.

Des Plaines manager received a 2% raise from $270k, Arlington Heights $298k with 6% increase, Rolling Meadows $215k.

There are also plans to build a bridge over Northwest Highway connecting Melas Park and Meadows Park with a funding gap of $1.6 million.

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?

Important infrastructure projects we should continue road repair, road flooding and public safety. Some of these have already been budgeted for 2025.

We might be able to find funding from other projects. Some projects that can be put on back burner. Gateway signs, the board received some sample drawings to vote on but there were no prices associated with the designs.

The bridge over Northwest Highway, are there more cost effective ways to protect public safety? Does the village manager require another conference room for $100k. The village took over the annual block party from the Mount Prospect Chamber of Commerce. Can this be given back?

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 limited experience working with groups on determining policy. I’ve worked on two boards (National Association of Asian American Professionals and Mount Prospect Downtown Merchant Association).

I'm a newcomer to local politics and gaining knowledge as I navigate this journey. My style is problem-solving orientation, focusing on finding solutions to problems rather than getting bogged down in conflicts or disagreements. This involves being flexible, open to new ideas, and willing to compromise when necessary. I also think it’s important to gather all the input from all stakeholders.

What makes you the best candidate for the job?

I own a business in Mount Prospect. I’m active in the community through Mount Prospect Downtown Merchant Association, Mount Prospect special event commission and Euclid Elementary PTC. Mount Prospect’s demographic includes 35% people of color, yet this diversity is not reflected on the village board. It's essential to consider a variety of perspectives.

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

The board can make more efforts to hear the voices of the residents. Is there anything more we can do to enhance the quality of life for everyone in Mount Prospect?