Elizabeth Ambrogi: Candidate profile

Bio

Name: Elizabeth (Liz) Ambrogi

City: Elmhurst

Office sought: Alderman, Ward 1

Age: 44

Family: Divorced, daughter Juliette (24 yrs. old)

Occupation: Executive Assistant https://www.linkedin.com/in/elizabeth-u-ambrogi-70069911/

Education: Bachelor of Science, Business Administration (Elmhurst College, 2012 - adult fast track program)

Civic involvement: Annie LeGere Foundation board member (2015-present)

Elmhurst Citizens Police Academy Alumni Association member (ECPAAA) (2005-present)

100+ Women Who Care, Elmhurst Chapter (2016-present)

Previous elected offices held: none

Incumbent? If yes, when were you first elected? First time running for any office

Website: none

Facebook: Liz Ambrogi For Elmhurst Ward 1 Alderman https://www.facebook.com/LizForElmhurstWard1/?tn-str=k*F

Issue questions

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

Based on my conversations with several residents, I have heard concerns about the state of our schools in Elmhurst, and our community recently passed a referendum that would address many of those problems. Furthermore, although the City of Elmhurst has several completed and pending stormwater management projects, residents continue to express concern about the impact of new developments on the potential for flooding.

Noise from air traffic at O'Hare also continues to be disruptive, and we need to continue to work with neighboring municipalities and the O'Hare Noise Compatibility Commission to address noise pollution. As for our ward specifically, many residents believe that downtown Elmhurst is being overdeveloped, which will result in heavy traffic, added congestion, and other associated problems. As alderman, I will continue to listen to my constituents and work with City Council and Staff to find sensible and financially viable solutions to these and any issues that come before us.

What makes you the best candidate for the job?

I am a 15-year resident of Elmhurst Ward 1, and a graduate of Elmhurst College. I am invested in the community, having raised my daughter in Elmhurst, where she attended school at Sandburg Middle School, Immaculate Conception, and Elmhurst College.

A successful alderman is someone who listens to and understands people, and shows more concern for the needs of others than for one's self. I believe my community involvement with the Citizens Police Academy, Annie LeGere Foundation, and 100+ Women Who Care, along with my career as an executive assistant in the corporate and nonprofit industries, have provided me with the skills needed to become an effective alderman. I am organized, and I collaborate with others to get things done.

I am willing to listen to my constituents, ask tough questions, engage in discussion, and make decisions that will be in the best interest of the community.

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.

I once heard the saying, "Leadership is about being of service to others, not being served by others". As alderman, my top priority will be to serve my neighbors. I will listen to their concerns and advocate for them as their representative on the City Council.

At the same time, there are a wide variety of perspectives and backgrounds on the City Council, and a good leader would consider and respect opinions that are different from their own. At the end of the day, after a healthy discussion, my goal will be to come to a sensible compromise. I pride myself on being practical and on making common sense decisions.

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?

Mayor Morley reported at this year's "state of Our City Address" that for the 5th year in a row, we were able to maintain our AAA bond rating. This is good news because we are able to borrow money at the lowest possible rate. Furthermore, the City's Finance Department won its 12th annual GFOA Distinguished Budget Award.

Over the past several years, the City has also been adding to its rainy-day fund, which currently holds $1 million. The General Fund, as of January 1, 2019, contains roughly $18.7 million. I support continuing to build our rainy-day fund. We should seek competitive bids to ensure the best level of service at the best possible price. In every decision we make, the City Council should be fiscally responsible in spending taxpayer funds.

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

As someone who appreciate nature and the outdoors, I have seen something remarkable happen with urban gardening over the past twenty years. It is no longer considered a "farmer's business". Gardens have been incorporated into restaurants, elaborate hotel rooftops, and unique landscaping. I have often dined at an Elmhurst restaurant and though how nice it would be to know that the ingredients in my dish were just grown at a local garden.

Because of my passion for the environment, everywhere I look in Elmhurst I see potential for gardens, solar panels, recycling, minimizing waste, and many other ways that will not only beautify our city, but also make it healthier and sustainable for generations to come. The City can encourage these initiatives by implementing our Sustainability Plan, along with establishing a Sustainability Commission to get more community involvement.