Elizabeth Davies: 2023 Candidate for Grayslake Village Board
Bio
Town: Grayslake
Age on Election Day: 42
Occupation: High School Math Teacher
Employer: Wauconda High School
Previous offices held: Grayslake Village Trustee
Q&A
Q: What is the most serious issue your community will face in the coming years and how should the city council or village board respond to it?
A: I know that property taxes are a real burden on our residents. For this reason, I believe that the most significant issue facing our community is the impact of financial decisions made at the state level. Since 2011, the state has reduced the percentage of income tax revenue allocated to municipalities. This reduction in funding increases the challenge to provide high-quality municipal services. Furthermore, the state has also implemented burdensome mandates that have increased our expenses. While I recognize the importance of these mandates, it is critical that we have the resources necessary to implement them effectively and without compromising other essential municipal services or having to pass the costs on to residents. Given these challenges, it is more important than ever that we ensure that our village's finances are strong enough to weather outside forces, and that we do all we can to hold down the village's percentage of our property taxes.
Q: How would you describe the state of your community's finances?
A: Grayslake has a very strong financial standing. During my time as a trustee, we have passed only balanced budgets and have zero debt, which demonstrates a responsible approach to managing our village's finances. Additionally, we have highly funded police pensions, a sophisticated fixed asset replacement program, an updated water infrastructure, and a comprehensive road resurfacing program that all show our investment in maintaining and improving our infrastructure and is a positive indication of our village's ability to meet our long-term financial obligations. While doing all of this, Grayslake on the operating side has actually been spending about 35% less per person, adjusted for inflation, than it did in 1992. This is an incredibly noteworthy accomplishment, but it means more than just dollars and cents. Because we are in such great financial shape and spend less on the operating side, we can actually do MORE for the community.
Q: What should be the three top priorities for spending in your community during the next four years?
A: I believe that our municipal spending can make the greatest impact by focusing on three key areas: investing in improvements to our downtown and Village Center, funding sustainability initiatives, and ensuring that we can deliver top-notch municipal services to our residents. By investing in our downtown, we can sustain a vibrant, welcoming community that attracts new businesses and residents, while also improving the quality of life for those who already call our town home. Adding open space, such as Gelatin park and planting trees, not only provides recreational opportunities for our residents but also helps preserve the natural beauty of our town. By delivering top-notch municipal services, such as clean drinking water, safe roads, and a great police force, we can ensure that our community remains a desirable place to live and work. By prioritizing these three areas, we can build a stronger, more resilient community that is able to thrive in the face of any challenge.
Q: Are there areas of spending that need to be curtailed? If so, what are they?
A: Our village's outstanding fiscal management practices have enabled us to maintain a high level of service and investment in our community. Grayslake spends less per person to provide our services than other municipalities in our area. We have been able to do this without compromising essential services by exploring opportunities to improve the efficiency of our operations and collaborating with neighboring municipalities, governing bodies, and outside organizations to share costs and resources. Thanks to our prudent approach to budgeting and financial planning, there are currently no major areas of spending that need to be curtailed in the village. Overall, I am committed to exploring every opportunity to reduce costs and maximize our resources in service of our community. By remaining vigilant and constantly evaluating our operations, we can ensure that we are providing the highest level of service possible to our residents while maintaining our strong financial position.
Q: What do you see as the most important infrastructure project the community must address? Why and how should it be paid for? Conversely, during these uncertain economic times, what project(s) can be put on the back burner?
A: The most crucial infrastructure projects to be addressed are the improvements to Rte. 120 outlined in the Belvidere Road Corridor Plan, and the need to urge Canadian National to enhance our rail crossings. The Rte. 120 improvements developed by Grayslake are essential for the safety and convenience of our residents, as well as increasing economic development opportunities for local businesses. Canadian National's lack of improvement of the railways has led to prolonged stopped trains and crossings, causing delays and safety concerns for our community. While these projects are ultimately out of village control, they remain two of the most important infrastructure spending projects that the state of Illinois and CN can enact to positively impact our community. As a trustee I have championed these efforts and will continue to partner with other municipalities and organizations in the region to prioritize and pay for these infrastructure projects to enhance our quality of life.
Q: Describe your experience working in a group setting to determine policy. What is your style in such a setting to reach agreement and manage local government? Explain how you think that will be effective in producing effective actions and decisions with your village board or city council.
A: I know that effective leadership is not about having all the answers or being the most knowledgeable person in the room. Instead, it is about creating an environment where everyone's ideas and perspectives are valued, and collaboration and teamwork are encouraged. Throughout my career as both a teacher and a trustee, I have always approached my work with a growth mindset, recognizing that there is always room for improvement and valuing the diverse perspectives and experiences of my colleagues. I have been fortunate to work with many different representatives and stakeholders and by creating a space where everyone feels comfortable sharing, we can tap into our collective knowledge and experience to produce better outcomes for our community. By fostering open and honest communication and maintaining a spirit of collaboration and teamwork, I have a track record of producing positive results for the village and making a meaningful impact on the lives of our residents.
Q: What makes you the best candidate for the job?
A: I am the best candidate for the job of serving our community because of my strong vision, extensive experience, and unwavering passion for making Grayslake an even better place to live, work, and raise a family. I have a proven track record of getting things done for our community. I care deeply about the well being of our residents and believe that by working together, we can create a community that is even stronger. Whether it's through investing in our infrastructure, improving our quality of life, or promoting economic development, I am dedicated to working tirelessly to make Grayslake the best possible place to call home. Ultimately, what sets me apart as a candidate is my unwavering passion for serving our community. I believe that we can build an even brighter future for our village, and I hope to be a part of that effort.
Q: What's one good idea you have to better the community that no one is talking about yet?
A: I am the best candidate for the job of serving our community because of my strong vision, extensive experience, and unwavering passion for making Grayslake an even better place to live, work, and raise a family. I have a proven track record of getting things done for our community. I care deeply about the well being of our residents and believe that by working together, we can create a community that is even stronger. Whether it's through investing in our infrastructure, improving our quality of life, or promoting economic development, I am dedicated to working tirelessly to make Grayslake the best possible place to call home. Ultimately, what sets me apart as a candidate is my unwavering passion for serving our community. I believe that we can build an even brighter future for our village, and I hope to be a part of that effort.