Lora Vitek: 2021 candidate for St. Charles mayor

Bio

City: St. Charles

Age: 43

Occupation: Executive Director, Delta Dental of Illinois Foundation

Civic involvement: St. Charles 4th Ward Alderman, 2017-present; Youth Commission, 2015-2016; Liquor Commission, 2017-2019; Delta Dental Plans Association National Community Benefit Chair, 2017; North Park University School of Business and Nonprofit Management Advisory Board, 2015-present; President, West Suburban Philanthropic Network board of directors, 2016-2017

Q&A

Q. How do you view your role in confronting the pandemic: provide leadership even if unpopular, give a voice to constituents - even ones with whom you disagree, or defer to state and federal authorities?

A. As mayor, it is important to have a good working and collaborative relationship with legislators at the State level, with the Kane County Health Department, the Kane County Board, fellow Mayors and Managers and with the Illinois Municipal League. When decisions are made that impact our residents, at the level and scope as the pandemic created, it is important to have interaction among the participating parties.

I plan to listen to the health and safety advice issued from the state of Illinois when it is based in science and facts and will continue to encourage our businesses and residents to adhere to these guidelines as they have done so throughout the pandemic. I will also listen to the needs of our business owners/employees and residents alike as we navigate our way to the end of this pandemic, and will always make decisions that are in the best interests of our community as a whole. This is a balancing act and sometimes best practices in health guidelines clash with economic best practices.

A. Did your town continue to adequately serve its constituents during the disruptions caused by the pandemic? If so, please cite an example of how it successfully adjusted to providing services. If not, please cite a specific example of what could have been done better.

A. I do believe our St. Charles staff and City Council reacted, pivoted and adjusted to this unprecedented health crisis all while keeping the well-being of both our citizens and businesses at the forefront of our decisions.

A few examples of how the city pivoted/adjusted:

• The St. Charles restaurant establishments in conjunction with the St. Charles Business Alliance and the city staff developed a robust outdoor dining program that created energy and buzz in our community. St. Charles was able to keep our COVID positivity rate low all summer while our businesses were able to keep their doors open and residents and visitors were able to explore and enjoy St. Charles, safely. This required modification of ordinances and the use of public property.

• Our City Communications team consistently educated and shared information with our community through social media and email efforts around the importance of wearing a mask and supporting social distancing efforts.

Q. In light of our experiences with COVID-19, what safeguards/guidelines should you put in place to address any future public health crises?

A. Our city has done a good job with educating the public about social distancing and mask wearing as it relates to this specific health crisis.

However, since we are not the health experts, we need to continue to rely on and work collaboratively with the Kane County Health Department, the Illinois Department of Public Health and other entities that set recommended guidelines and protocols should another health crisis arise. It is important that we listen to the science and not diminish expert advice. Consistent messaging from the city is important so that ALL residents feel informed and safe.

Q. What cuts can local government make to reduce the burden of the pandemic on taxpayers?

A. Whether in a pandemic or not, I believe local government should always be prudent with its fiscal responsibility and budget. I think we should also look to public/private dollar initiatives and grant dollars to help drive some of our important community projects to help offset any tax burden. It is also important for the Business Development team to continue to encourage business growth and development in our community to continue to drive revenue into our city.

The St. Charles City Council eliminated restaurant and bar license fees for the upcoming year to help with business relief efforts and will be discussing some utility bill adjustments for our residents, including potentially eliminating late-payment penalties in the coming year.

Q. What do you see as the most important infrastructure project you must address? Why and how should it be paid for? Conversely, during these uncertain economic times, what infrastructure project can be put on the back burner?

A. The incoming mayor will have the important task of recommending a new city administrator (CAO) to the city council for ratification. This role is extremely important as the CAO, working with department directors, suggests priority directives for infrastructure projects (and other city initiatives) for city council review and input.

Sewer and water infrastructure needs have been discussed as a priority at City Council re-treats and committee meetings. Some projects are not in complete control of the St. Charles government/City Council. For example, if the Charlestowne Mall development becomes a mixed- use project, then infrastructure needs will be tantamount as a water and sewer system for a mall is vastly different from for a development that includes residential housing.

It is safe to say that the completion of the First Street project at the 1 W. Main hole site is important and is a joint public/private partnership.

Another project that has been up for discussion is the completion of the UP Rail line through St. Charles as a linear park. A joint effort with the Park District and the Forest Preserve is already constructed, however the current price tag by the railroad suggests additional negotiations that may not make this immediately feasible.

Q. Do you agree or disagree with the stance your board/council has taken on permitting recreational marijuana sales in the community? What would you change about that stance, if you could?

A. I absolutely agree with the decision our City Council made. In fact, I worked with a few of my City Council colleagues to build the motion that got us to the point where we could pass the initiative.

The state of Illinois already ruled on the legality of cannabis both medicinally and recreationally, and deemed it lawful. After listening to informed presentations, including one from our St. Charles Police Department, I believed that it was shortsighted to prohibit the business of regulated medicinal/recreational sales in the city of St. Charles and I was in the majority. This was an opportunity to bring in tax revenue that could be utilized for important, upcoming projects. In talking with our Police Chief since the Council vote, he noted there has not been an increase in crime in our community related to the addition of recreational cannabis sales.

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

A. My support of encouraging St. Charles to embrace more public/private partnerships. With my experience in the fund development and nonprofit sector, I understand how public/private partnerships can jump start projects and help bring them to completion. I initiated conversations around this idea with Mayor Rogina and staff as they contemplated how to move forward with the First Street/1 W. Main site.

There are so many generous people and businesses in St. Charles wanting to give back to their community. I think it's important that we seek them out, and partner with them to find projects and initiatives that they are most passionate about so that we can continue to enhance our city and make improvements that positively impacts residents and businesses.

Q. What makes you the best candidate for the job? 


A. I am the only candidate with years of both corporate leadership and local government experience and I will bring my leadership skills, experience and enthusiasm to the role of Mayor of St. Charles. I am also able to draw upon diverse life-experiences to guide my thinking since I have not lived here my entire life, however I have established roots here for the simple fact that St. Charles is a fantastic city with unbridled potential.

I have a firm understanding of what is important to encourage business growth and development in our city and I also have a strong connection with city residents and community organizations that serve our residents. My voting record suggests a strong support for business as a key multiplier for growth of a city's aggregate product and I have listened and initiated projects and adjustments for the benefit of residents in my ward.

I believe the City of St. Charles is headed in the right direction and needs to continue the momentum and forward thinking to help guide us into the future. I am the most qualified, passionate and energetic person to ensure this gets done.