Rita Payleitner: Candidate profile

Bio

Name: Rita Anne Payleitner

City: City of St. Charles

Office sought: Alderman, 2nd Ward

Age: 60

Family: Husband of 38 years, Jay, four sons, one daughter, four daughters-in-law and six grandchildren. As licensed foster parents we also shared our hearts and home with ten foster children over the years. Proudly making St. Charles my family home for 45 years.

Civic involvement: Sitting Chairman of the Council's Government Services Committee. Additional volunteer roles currently include: 7.5 years as Council liaison to the St. Charles Housing Commission; 7 year participant at the monthly St. Charles Intergovernmental Meetings. Previous roles: served four years as a founding member of the Liquor Control Commission; 5 years on the St. Charles Museum Board as Council liaison; 5 years on the St. Charles Arts Council. Recently served on a task force to update the City's Senior Services Guide and in 2014 worked on the development of the CMAP "Homes for a Changing Region" community study. As a leading voice on Council, I continue to advocate for our most beautiful natural asset, the Fox River, in hopes of advancing the Active River Project.

Incumbent? If yes, when were you first elected? Yes. First elected in 2011. Currently one of only three women on the St. Charles City Council.

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Issue questions

What are the most important issues facing your community and how do you intend to address them?

For Ward 2, no doubt it's the Charlestowne Mall. It certainly looks dismal, and the lack of progress on the redevelopment proposal is disappointing, but years of monthly meetings with the owners' development team has shown me the depth of the issue. I have advocated, and will continue to do so, on behalf of the second ward to the team and they have been responsive to my many concerns. The roadblocks are real, but be assured the City isn't one of them. We are anxious to consider any proposal the owners want to bring forth and stand ready to work with the development team when they bring their plan forward. Another issue in my sights is the back and forth game the State of Illinois is playing with numerous reductions in our entitled share of state revenue. As well, dealing with the expense of unfunded state mandates unfortunately ties our hands unnecessarily. I regularly attend non-partisan legislative events where conversations on behalf of St. Charles' interests are being discussed and lobbied for. Hopefully building relationships at the State level and teaming up with other municipalities will allow our voice to be loud and strong.

What makes you the best candidate for the job?

Simply, I'm doing the job, and I'm doing it well. Those who have attended meetings or sought my opinion and intervention will concur. I proudly stand by my understanding of the issues, my attention to detail, my integrity, my responsiveness and my love for St. Charles.

Describe your leadership style and explain how you think that will be effective in producing actions and decisions with your village board or city council.

When I first decided to run for office in 2010, I started regularly attending all City meetings (sitting front and center in the Council Chamber alongside my fellow Council candidate Ray Rogina). It gave me a foot up when I took office as I already then knew the sitting Aldermen, the Mayor, Directors, Staff and more importantly the current pressing issues Council was facing. Doing my homework as a candidate earned me the respect and ear of my future colleagues, and that respect continues today. I still do my homework, I talk to citizens and businesses, work with City partners, I meet with staff, I confer with the Mayor and my colleagues. While consensus is always the preferred goal, no matter the outcome, assurances that your position is heard and respected are even more so.

How would you describe the condition of your community's budget, and what are the most important specific actions the town should take to assure providing the level of services people want?

We have provided outstanding city services while holding our levy flat for 9 years. However, we are still playing catch-up thanks to the recession, cost increases since, and the aforementioned issue with Springfield. No doubt this upcoming budget season will be challenging and decisions will need to be made, but we as a Council are proud of how the City of St. Charles handles its finances, highlights transparency, and always, with a balanced budget.

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

There are a few, but a fun one I'm jazzed about is working towards making St. Charles more pedestrian friendly. I just recently started preliminary conversations with staff and community partners. I look forward to accomplishing this goal with a multifold benefit incorporating city services, community involvement and pride for our City.