Jody Kanikula: Candidate profile

Bio

Name: Jody Kanikula

City: Batavia

Email: jodyforkane@gmail.com

Website: www.jodyforkane.com

Twitter: NA

Facebook: www.facebook.com/jodyforkane

Party: Democrat

Office sought: Kane County Board District 11

Incumbent: No

Age: 53

Family: NA

Occupation: Licensed Clinical Social Worker, Sole Proprietor of Private Practice

Education: Bachelor of Arts and Master of Social Work

Civic involvement: I have served as president and vice president of DuPage Association of Volunteer Administrators, administrator for Fox Valley Activists, mentor/counselor for fostering understanding between teens from Ireland and Northern Ireland. When I learn of unmet needs in my community, I organize to meet those needs. Recently, I have founded a supply drive for local seniors in need, managed Alzheimer's walk teams and organized a fundraiser for a neighbor fighting cancer. I have also given my time as a literacy volunteer, at the animal shelter and participated in the AIDS Ride to support these causes close to my heart.

Elected offices held: Democratic Precinct Committee person

Questions & Answers

Question 1: If you are a challenger, what would you bring to the board and what would your priority be?

I will bring the perspective of the most vulnerable in our community and make sure their voices are clearly heard. As a licensed clinical social worker my knowledge and expertise are a much needed people-focused compliment to the legal and business experience of the current board. My priority will be helping the people of Kane County not just survive but thrive, especially those who are currently struggling.

Question 2: What is the single biggest need in your district?

The single biggest need in our district is communication between constituents and the elected board member. I have learned in my career that if you are serious about solving problems, you have to be a willing listener. In talking with my neighbors who live in District 11, I have found many don't really know what the Kane County Board does. The meeting schedule seems designed to make it difficult or impossible for most people to be informed about the board's activities since the meeting times are during work hours. Our board members must be a liaison between the people and the board. To that end, I will improve communication by holding quarterly District 11 community meetings and issue a quarterly newsletter. This will also allow me to really listen to the needs of the people of the district. How can a board member be trusted to spend our financial resources if they do not know what is important to the people they represent?

Question 3: Is the county doing enough to control expenses? What additional, specific steps do you recommend?

The Kane County Board has not increased the levy for six years and in fact has required departments to continue to cut costs. Costs are so controlled that county services and staff are suffering. Unilateral, one-size-fits-all budget cuts have led to staffing shortages, decreased services, increased payouts for lawsuits, and compromised resident safety, as in the case of the elimination of the GPS program for domestic violence offenders. How financial resources are spent is as important as how much is spent. I propose the board listen to the expert advice of the professional Kane County staff and implement a common sense budget approach in order to ensure safety and well-being for Kane County residents. If cuts are needed, common sense says not all cuts are equal. I would also actively encourage and explore finding new revenue streams, including grants and especially ensuring that businesses and corporations are paying their fair share. As a small-business owner, I do not make this suggestion lightly, a strong business community is vital to Kane County. However, the residents of Kane County should not be subsidizing the taxes for businesses and corporations.

Question 4: The county commissioned a study to determine which services are mandated and which are not in preparation for a deeper budget cut. Do you believe the county must continue to reduce costs? If so, which non-mandated services would you cut or reduce? Under what circumstances would you support a tax increase?

I believe the county must always be vigilant when considering how to spend residents' money. However, continuing to cut programs to the bone will only continue to sacrifice the quality of life and safety of Kane County residents. The Mandated Services Study warns again and again of possible harm or "pain" further cuts would cause, "This does not mean that reductions would be painless. In many cases, Kane County's efforts are already below levels found in other counties …" (pg. 12, Mandated Services Study, Dec. 7, 2017). Should Kane County be a community of excellence or a community of mediocrity? Continued cuts will undoubtedly lead to mediocrity. Deferring maintenance and reducing county programs and services will only lead to greater financial problems down the road. The county is already facing crisis-level results of deferring its responsibilities, such as the woefully inadequate coroner's building and employee strikes. I would consider a tax increase if safety or health issues are threatening residents.

Question 5: What other issues, if any, are important to you as a candidate for this office?

The employees of Kane County have been asked to do more and more with fewer resources for the last six years. Most staff have not even received a cost-of-living pay increase in that time. Judicial Services union employees were forced to strike to be treated fairly. Under these working conditions is it any wonder it is difficult to find and retain qualified staff who wish to work for the county? Not only does this cause a reduction in services and service quality, how we treat Kane County staff speaks to our community values. This circles back to my driving question: do we want a community of mediocrity, doing just enough to avoid lawsuits, or a community of excellence, with professional employees who know they are valued and who can afford to live in the county where they work? Additionally, county board members must also be strong advocates for Kane County in Springfield. We all agree that property taxes are too high and this must be addressed. As a board member, I will continuously urge our state representatives and senators to find a solution to high Illinois property taxes and protect the middle class. Last, services for seniors, behavioral and mental health and assisting residents in need will always be my most important issues. Currently, Kane County does not have services for seniors, these services are outsourced to an agency that does an excellent job. However, Illinois Department of Public Health predicts that the population of residents 65 and over will nearly double in Kane County by 2025. Expansion of services for seniors needs to be addressed right now.

Personal insight questions:

What's the hardest decision you ever had to make?

In 2017, I decided to start my own practice counseling seniors in their homes. I had worked at a community mental health agency for 10 years before making this change. Due to budget shortfalls, my job and other important services to seniors were eliminated. By far, starting my own business and leaving the safety of a "regular" job was the hardest decision I have made. When people ask me how my business is going, I tell them, "well, I work more, make less and my boss never gives me a day off, I love it."

Who is your hero?

Boo Radley, a character, from "To Kill a Mockingbird" by Harper Lee. I read this book when I was a child and Boo Radley instantly became one of my heroes. Boo is a character who faces his greatest fears to protect others. There are few things nobler.

Each amendment in the Bill of Rights is important, but which one of those 10 is most precious to you?

Free speech, a free press, the right to assemble and protest and freedom from state religion are the foundation of the United States but none of the rights protected by the first ten amendments is more precious to me than the 19th. The 19th amendment guarantees my right to vote as a woman, my voice in government, and recognizes me as the civic equal of every other American citizen.

What lesson of youth has been most important to you as an adult?

Since the age of 15, I wanted to be a social worker. I was talked out of it by adults who thought I could not make a decent living and that it would "burn you out" to spend my work days helping others. After unhappily working in other fields, I went to graduate school and earned my Masters of Social Work. The lesson was clear, never let anyone talk me out of what I know is right for me. I must be authentic to thrive, and my career must be founded on helping others and making my world a better place.

Think back to a time you failed at something. What did you learn from it?

My most spectacular failures are usually a result of impulsivity. Careful thought and planning help me be successful.