Grace Khan: 2023 candidate for Hanover Park Village Board trustee

Bio

Town: Hanover Park - DuPage County

Age on Election Day: 45

Occupation: Information Technology Manager

Employer: Smithbucklin

Previous offices held: N/A

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: The issue that the village board needs to take seriously is economic development. We should conduct a thorough assessment to develop a long-term strategy that promotes economic growth. We also need to attract new businesses to Hanover Park by offering incentives. We need to constantly develop new partnerships and collaborations with other business economic groups that have a wider reach of business connections that can help with our growth. Through this partnership, we can also determine constraints and address opportunities together.

Q: How would you describe the state of your community's finances?

A: The biggest source of revenue for Hanover Park is property taxes at around 40 million dollars. The largest expenditure is the Operating expenses of 61 million dollars. I would like to use my background in Information Technology and use data analysis to assess where we can reduce operating expenses through the use of technologies and automation.

Q: What should be the three top priorities for spending in your community during the next four years?

A: My top three priorities are the beautification and revitalization of neighborhoods. We can improve the appearance with new landscapes, updated street lighting, and signs. A beautiful neighborhood makes home values increase and help to attract new businesses to our area.

In addition to the beautiful neighborhood, we can increase public safety by increasing the general use of personal security measures through the use of technology

Increasing community engagement with residents through community, volunteer, and outreach opportunities fosters genuine interest in various neighborhood improvements.

My goal is to deliver all of my top priorities and continue to make Hanover Park a great place to live, visit, work, and do business with.

Q: Are there areas of spending that need to be curtailed? If so, what are they?

A: I would like to assess in more detail the contractual services that are currently being utilized by the Village. Often villages enter into a long-term contract without a full analysis of the contract's ongoing value. Sometimes the contracts are not reviewed often which leads to unnecessary expenditures that are no longer required. I also believe that renegotiating contracts can help optimize budgets.

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: Infrastructure is one of the main elements in keeping our town operational. Infrastructure-related costs include the development, maintenance, and/or replacements of public facilities such as roads, bridges and sewer systems, and others. Recently in 2018, the renovation of the municipal building was completed. The municipal building looks beautiful and can last many years. There is also Fire Station #16 currently budgeted for construction. However, there is one particular bridge that I have known for years that needs attention and I use it all the time to visit family members. There is a small bridge by the Tanglewood community on Arlington Road. It is currently blocked to one lane due to safety issues. This bridge did receive federal funding but to this day it has not been fixed. This is one of the reasons why I am running is to ensure that funded infrastructure maintenance is being addressed promptly.

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 have a Masters degree in Information Technology and I am inclined to be analytical and data-driven. In a group setting, I would like to present the information to the board through data collected and analyzed without bias or personal opinions. I will encourage all board members to share and brainstorm ideas collaboratively. I will actively listen and understand the various viewpoints presented and help the board reach a consensus. Once all board members have mutually agreed, I would like to help the board make action plans using the SMART (Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant, Time-bound) goals.

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

A: I bring my experience of over 5 years volunteering for the Village hall in the Cultural Inclusion and Diversity Committee and leading as current Chair. This has given me leadership and volunteering experience in a committee that is dedicated to promoting mutual respect for diverse groups and acceptance of various perspectives. For many years, I have been an active and involved community volunteer with many local organizations in which I regularly participate in meetings and events. My passion has always been serving and adding value by doing volunteer work. I want to continue to serve our community and I know that we can achieve my passion for us as Hanover Park Rising Together.

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

A: The COVID-19 pandemic has affected each of us differently. We are all trying to deal with the aftermath of this emotionally. I want to emphasize that mental health is important for each individual's well-being and the community as a whole. When individuals are able to cope with the stressors of life then they are able to contribute to society, be productive, and physically healthy as well as develop and sustain healthy relationships. By having our residents' well-being in mind as we take part in our engagement with them then we are able to move forward together as a whole. That's why I am running as Hanover Park Rising Together because I know we can advance collectively.