Greg Langer: 2025 candidate for Palatine Village Council District 1

Bio

Office Sought: Palatine Village Council District 1

City: Palatine

Age: 40

Occupation: Vice president, programmatic supply

Previous offices held: None

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

Arlington Park Redevelopment: No matter how Arlington Park is redeveloped, it will significantly impact Palatine, especially when it comes to transportation, infrastructure, and our local economies. Palatine must be proactive in negotiations to ensure that increased traffic doesn’t overwhelm our community. With increased traffic will come the need for infrastructure improvements. We need a seat at the table to advocate for smart planning that protects our residents and preserves our village’s quality of life.

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 is in a sound financial position. My goal as a councilman will be to continually deliver the village’s core services while also growing Palatine’s quality of life by building a sustainable economy. I’ll bring my experience in marketing and business to foster policies that grow the village’s tax base, keeping taxes down while enhancing village services. Everybody will benefit from strong economic development across all parts of the village.

I will also promote transit-based and workforce-based housing for young professionals, with the ultimate goal of attracting new workers and residents to our community. Transit-based housing has invigorated the downtowns of our surrounding communities. It creates new opportunities for retail businesses, and eases commuting and cultural connections. Workforce-based housing is ideal for young teachers just starting their careers.

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?

Our downtown revitalization is most important. The residents I’ve spoken to tell me revitalization is the number one issue they have been wanting for a long time.

Surrounding communities have thriving downtowns while Palatine lags behind. Using TIF dollars, the enhanced parking and proposed streetscape is a great start. However, this is a long overdue project. The village needs to take a proactive approach to attract businesses and restaurants. When we build up a thriving downtown area, it will bring in more property tax and sales tax money.

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 council.

While working in any group setting, it’s important to bring together diverse perspectives, expertise, and experiences. You need to foster collaboration and promote a healthy open dialogue. This is no different in local government.

If this is done, the village council can make well-informed decisions that address residents' needs. Open discussions ensure transparency, while collaboration helps craft policies that support economic growth, infrastructure improvements, and community development. By working together, the village council can take actions that are both practical and widely accepted.

What makes you the best candidate for the job?

I will bring a fresh, new voice to the village council. My passion for a greater Palatine is in my genes. I am a 4th generation Palatine resident, with my family ties in the village dating back nearly 100 years.

My experience not just growing up in Palatine, but seeing my parents and grandparents raise their families and run their businesses here, gives me more insight into how hard family businesses work and how village government can either be helpful or not.

Small businesses are the backbone of our village economy, and our family businesses are the foundation for our sense of community. We are more than just a suburb where people go to work then come home. We are a community of families, and the village council can do more to cultivate that sense of community.

In addition, Palatine has grown much more diverse over the years and the village council can do more to reach out to all ethnicities that call Palatine home. I aim to build bridges in our village and help build a thriving, robust villagewide community.

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

As councilman, I will focus on cultural development. The village can partner with local organizations, including the park, library, and school districts, along with police and fire departments, to bring more people into the downtown area. Supporting cultural activities enhances residents’ quality of life while opening retail opportunities.

Our residents love the tentpole events like Streetfest and the Rotary Oktoberfest. Let’s bring them out more than a few times a year with Food Trucks Days, Art in the Park, and similar events.