Maryann Rodriguez Liguori: Candidate profile

Bio

Name: Maryann Rodriguez Liguori

City: Wheeling

Office sought: Village Trustee

Age (on election day): 47 years young

Family: Born and raised in Wheeling along with my two awesome brothers, Michael and Herbie, by my fun loving parents Theresa and Herbie Rodriguez. Married to the Love of my life, Bob, for almost 25 years bringing him immediately back to my home town to raise our 3 smart, kind, funny, sweet, beautiful children along with all of their pets.

Occupation: now: Operative Assistant/Practice Coordinator/ Patient Advocate, in Wheeling almost 30 years.

Education: Life. Life long learner. More specifically~Achieved an excellent education, attending all Wheeling Schools. Catholic education received through St. Joseph the Worker Parish as a child growing up. My catholic education and stewardship led to St Alphonsus in Prospect Hts when we had switched parishes for our children's parochial education. There, I was afforded a humbling education through volunteerism with school/church stewardship opportunities. As a 2nd job I had Spent 2years, as a notary public while I learned, then educated clients in the business of mortgage refi and finances through my own home business. I have spent the last 20 years In continuous education (self and formal) holder of multiple certificates in various aspects of health services, specific to science and biology along with a deep understanding of general health and well-being. I worked part time, basset trained, at a fine dinning establishment for fun and the love of people, while continuing to learn business operations. I have spend my free time educating myself as I watch documentaries and most Board and Planning Commission meetings. self educated on local state and federal laws, procedures and finances.

Civic involvement: I had spent high school years volunteering service at Addolorata Villa Senior campus. I worked in the classrooms with children and teachers (public and private) for over two decades serving as room mom, in communications and fund raising. I served 4 years on Athletic board, main duty being communications director. I support various athletic programs through "team mom"/communications at Wheeling and Prospect Heights Park District programs. I served as Scout leader for 10 years combined Girl and Boy Scouts. I helped start then run a 13 school Conference, basketball tournament for the sheer pleasure of the children. I have Spent the last ten years advocating for those who cannot advocate for themselves all while attending medical conferences and international case studies for a deeper understanding. Personally Involved with and spoke up on behalf of our local Korean seniors in securing a center to encourage their participation in life. helping many get off RX antidepressants. I have attended airport board meetings, once to insist our FBOs (Atlantic aviation, Hawthorn aviation and Preister) refer their clients to our (Wheeling and Prospect Hts.) Hotels.

Previous elected offices held:

Incumbent: If yes, when were first elected?

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Issue questions

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

Airport master plan/ possible runway extension. This is a subject that is stressing out our community. In order for any business to succeed, you do need to have a solid plan. In order to get to that point with continued compatibility, there are a few things that have to happen. One of the critical components is community involvement into the plan. We had previously passed a consensus in 2015 to ensure this process. While the airport noise and pollution does not affect me directly, I have a strong empathy for those effected. Growing up here, I've seen many changes (including frequency and severity of the airport impact) There are other ways for the airport to sustain itself within their blueprint, other than extension of runway. Flash forward to today. I had personally gone out and collected signatures to have a referendum question placed on the ballot. Put this question of expansion directly to the people and not just a handful of elected or appointed officials. I have and will always hold myself to the higher standard and insist on gathering as much information as possible, following rules and guidelines before making any decisions. I've looked at their plans as presented so far in great detail and at this time, my stance to any kind of runway extension is simply a NO.

What makes you the best candidate for the job?

I have been fortunate in understanding our residential concerns by my personal interactive relationships on a daily basis and I would love the opportunity to turn some of those concerns into actions. I have learned and will proceed with strong interpersonal collaborative skills. I have and will continue to have direct access to people who live here in all of our different neighborhoods through my full time job. I know to listen. I have respect for others opinions, especially for our hard working commissioners of the planning commission. I believe I have the ability to take a look at any given presentation or simple idea through a 360• lense. Then address it with love and liberty for all, simply Because of my extensive life experiences and education. I do my homework thoroughly. Education including updated and thorough information with strong communication solves issues. I would insist on nothing less on behalf of our residents and businesses well being if awarded this position in representation. I enjoy reading multiple papers from New York to LA times and all in between taking in worldly life love and issues gaining understanding of current events that enables An understanding to think global act local.

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 absolutely love Wheeling and want nothing more than to speak for and take care of our residents, support our businesses and to have Wheeling a succeed as a premier destination. That being said, I am a go-getter who steps up to the plate when needed as proven by my civic service alone. My life experience of love, respect, and collaboration along with the ability to self educate (I do my homework) will translate to someone who Wheeling can count on and be proud of. I am not afraid to say no to things that when presented, may be harmful or detrimental towards a resident, already established business or property. I have no agenda other than speaking with a well rounded 360 degree thought process for a positive village outcome. I highly respect the process of getting things done in a timely manner when needed and slow done if more information is needed. I have a high respect for those who serve us like the planning commissioners. The job of Village Trustee is to understand where we are, how we got there, where were going and how to get there and have the ability for growth, humility and change.

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?

Staff happens to do a thorough job with day to day as well as yearly operational budget. I would continue to see where the budget could be trimmed on a yearly basis along with their input. We have had a well thought out balanced budget for the past 4 years with much thought put into the next 5. Because our sales tax revenue is down almost 5% from 10 years ago, my focus would be to only approve proven businesses or businesses with a solid plan. I would not approve any additional TIFs at this time. We need to see how what we have works for us tweak and learn from that in a positive way. I would approve additional 6B tax breaks ONLY if there are strong community ties, "green" builds/materials with a specific business and I would push for our own application process to change more in line with the stringent questions asked by our financially thriving surrounding communities. This would include additional open scrutiny by our other taxing bodies. We are surrounded with industry and really need to make that work for us in a stronger sustaining way. We need to shop local. Plan below.

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

I have many more than 1. Shopping local, keeping our tax dollars here. Our revenue from sales tax has not gone up in 10 years. We need to change that. One thing that we do not have and would love to have implemented is a concise detailed list of all of the available goods and services here in town, including many hard to get pieces or parts from our local manufacturers. Kind of a Wheeling "Yellow Pages". With today's technology it should be easy to have an comprehensive updated online version. I have dreams in having a copy being distributed once a year as well as placed in our new resident welcome package. This can be paid for via advertising space sales to businesses. I have many, many ideas for a healthier environment to balance all of our industry that happens to encourage shopping local. I was credited for the "no ideal" ordinance then took that one step further and ensured that our schools had the appropriate signage placed at their front door where kids enter past cars and buses. The federal government provides funding for various programs that we should look for, and to tap into.