Vasavi Chakka: 2021 candidate for Naperville City Council

Challenger Vasavi Chakka, one of 11 candidates running for four 4-year terms on Naperville City Council, responds to the Daily Herald candidate questionnaire for the April 6, 2021, local elections.

In-person early voting with paper ballots is now available at the DuPage County Fairgrounds Building 5, 2015 Manchester Road, Wheaton. In-person early voting with touch-screen voting begins March 22 at locations throughout the county. Learn more at www.dupageco.org/earlyvoting/.

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Bio

City: Naperville

Age: 56

Occupation: Small business owner (IT project management/leadership development/career counseling) at ARAALA Inc.

Civic involvement: Naperville Sister Cities Commission (2017 to present); Loaves & Fishes Community Advisory Council (2020 to present); Policy Circle co-chair, Community Conversations, Policycircle.org: Everwise mentor; Indian Community Outreach Organization board (2015 to present); Naperville Area Chamber of Commerce Business Works Committee (2015 to present), finance committee (2015-18) and board (2015-18); Kids Matter board (2015-17); 360 Youth Services Community Alliance for Prevention (2014-17); Harmony Grove Homeowners Association social chair (2014-16); SAFE Coalition for Human Rights (2014-19); Naperville Downtown Rotary (2013-17); Think Global Arts Foundation (2011-17); Chinmaya Mission Chicago (Badri) values-based education and leadership development (2005-18); District 204 STEM Advisory (2011-18); and Neuqua PTSA president (2011-12)

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: True leadership does not occur when everything is going smoothly, and it is often tested during current situations like the COVID-19 pandemic. As a seasoned IT professional, I know that lessons learned are a vital take-away in project management, and these are for future use to prevent the same mistakes which affect the project outcome negatively. We know pandemics and crises are inevitable in life. These do not occur by giving fair warning, that's where the past references would help as a base to take immediate action to prevent any crisis.

I see myself as a strong leader who takes decisive actions and communicates honestly with people even if it is unpopular. I would deal with the crisis with empathy and optimism to give a voice to my constituents.

I will be prepared to make a positive difference in people's lives, even ones with whom I may not agree. Credibility is gained when you demonstrate that you recognize the threats and consequences of a crisis.

I will seek input and advice of experts to come up with effective solutions as a collective effort that would help my constituents right away, even if my decisions defer to state and federal authorities.

Q: 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: Naperville has done a very good job at providing essential services to its residents during the pandemic. Also, the city has promoted and encouraged safety measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

The city also collaborated with local medical facilities to educate its residents on ongoing developments of the pandemic. While the city offices were closed to the public, the city has taken advantage of the technology to conduct its city council and other commissions meetings as scheduled.

Even though CARE act funding was provided for the small businesses some of the businesses could not survive. There is an uphill battle ahead for post COVID-19 economic recovery. Our small businesses need special attention and incentives to ensure they can reopen their doors responsively.

Furthermore, I want to ensure that our first responders and public safety departments receive the resources they need to keep our community safe and healthy.

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 responsibility is to promote safe behavior to reduce the risk and spread of communicable diseases. As we begin to reopen our economy, we must monitor new developments in medical sciences and continue to educate the community. Local health care organizations have to work closely with the National Institutes of Health and the World Health Organization to follow new guidelines and safeguards implemented by them.

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

A: Revenues have taken a dip during the pandemic but are steadily returning to pre-pandemic levels. The city government has taken a lean approach to spending. Fiscal responsibility is a major reason that businesses and residents decide to open and move to Naperville.

Although the 2020 budget was reduced by $25 million, most of the budget that was cut was to reduce improvements and did not affect services. We need to promote smart economic development which brings revenues from commercial taxes and doesn't strain local resources. With this approach, we can ensure that our FY2021 budget will not see any drastic cuts or increases in taxes or fees.

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: So much of what happens at the city surface is impacted by what happens below the surface. Naperville has a very old infrastructure, which needs to be repaired before it reaches beyond damage control, and maintained to meet current demands of the increased population.

As our vibrant community continues to grow, we must ensure that our infrastructure is updated and maintained.

One project that will help Naperville grow is the Downtown Washington Street Bridge Replacement Project. Over 30,000 vehicles pass on Washington Street per day, and the bridge itself is more than four decades old and has deteriorated to the point of needing replacement. Improving our infrastructure must be at the forefront of our priorities so we can grow responsibly and attract new businesses.

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

A: Naperville residents made their voices heard when they voted to approve the sale of recreational marijuana in Naperville. The next step is to ensure that the proper oversight and processes are in place to responsibly license vendors.

The community needs to be informed on all updates of outcomes of this business and other developments. Transparency and good governance are the key to prevent any crisis that may be caused by this.

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

A: As an IT professional for over 20 years, I understand that stability and higher incomes are available in STEM fields and I would like to see Naperville become the Silicon Valley of the Midwest. Our infrastructure and proximity to established higher learning institutions make us a prime location for a business and technology incubator. We have to invest and work with the job creators of tomorrow and I want our community to lead the way. One of the initiatives I am working on is "We Youth" an outreach campaign for youth of Naperville to engage them in economic development.

Naperville has a wealth of IT knowledge, which can be transformed into an IT hub, which has the potential of becoming the Silicon Valley of the Midwest. We have five high schools and a few colleges filled with brilliant students, if we could create an incubator for them to be engaged in revenue-generating idea processes that will significantly benefit the youth and the city.

I strongly believe the youth should be involved in this process as youth are the citizens of today and building blocks of a prosperous community.