Endorsements: Chhatwani, Evans, McGinn, Dressler for Hoffman Estates park board
Seven people are running for four open seats on the Hoffman Estates Park District board in a race that is largely free of controversy and generally features individuals who simply have an affection for the parks and an interest in serving.
The race features three incumbents, all of whom are knowledgeable and active and want to be responsive to the interests of the community.
Keith J. Evans, who owns an insurance company, is perhaps the most veteran among them. He's been active in the parks system in diverse roles for more than 20 years — 12 of them as park board member. Patrick J. McGinn, a products company demand planner, is not far behind with a decade of service as a member of the park board. Rajkumari Chhatwani, a financial manager at Bank of America, is seeking her first full term after being appointed to the board in 2019.
Chhatwani has learned much in her early years on the board and has earned the chance to continue to serve. McGinn and Evans show sincere interest in the parks system operations, and Evans in particular seems to have a singular commitment and clear vision for what the park district can offer and how its programs should be run.
Among the four newcomers to the race, three have parks-specific experience. Ian Macdonald and Denise K. Wilson are community representatives for the board. Linda Dressler is a trustee on the Friends of the Hoffman Estates Parks Foundation. Dru R. Steinhoff, a lifelong village resident and parks user with a recreation background, rounds out the field.
It's an appealing group of candidates. Our preference is for Dressler, a real estate professional who, in addition to an obvious familiarity with district programs and objectives, also has a broad and diverse range of leadership experience in agencies involved with economic development, Chamber of Commerce and housing. She would make a good fit with the board in terms of both collaborative spirit and her knowledge of and vision for the parks system.
Evans, McGinn, Chhatwani and Dressler are endorsed.