Politics & Government

Chris Healy: Candidate for 5th Ward Alderman

Incumbent candidate in the 5th Ward answers questions from Elmhurst Patch on why he's running, his vision for Elmhurst and more.

Campaign Information
www.ChrisHealy.net
ChrisHealy5thWard@gmail.com 

Family: Wife, Kirsten; two daughters, at Bryan Middle School and York High School

Education: Purdue University, BA, Political Science, 1990

Find out what's happening in Elmhurstwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Occupation:

Director of Vendor and Product Management, Lagasse Inc., a national wholesaler of janitorial, disposable and paper goods.

Find out what's happening in Elmhurstwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

 

Why are you seeking office? 

I currently serve as one of the aldermen from the 5th Ward. Prior to being elected to that position in 2009, I served on the Elmhurst Park Board for four years. While being an alderman is often times very challenging, it is also very rewarding. Being able to help residents solve problems or to give them a voice they didn’t think they had is very gratifying. Knowing that I have helped my constituents and made an impact in the city in which I live is why I am asking for the opportunity to serve for four more years.

What will be your highest priority if elected?

If I am re-elected, my highest priorities will remain the same as they have been during my first four years in office. First, economic development to grow our sales tax base and continued strong city financial management. Second, continue to keep our unreliable and unstable electrical grid as a focus for city management and ComEd. Third, improving our city’s ability to handle future flood/storm events.

What sets you apart from the other candidates?

I think my tenure as an alderman, and formerly as a Park Board member, sets me apart from my opponent. Those experiences have helped me produce results for the 5th Ward. Whether it is leading the efforts to have the former Brown’s Chicken or TCBY torn down at no expense to the tax payer, leading the efforts to improve traffic safety and flow around Lincoln School, or knowing who to call when there are police matters, code compliance issues or public works problems (like potholes, hanging tree branches, etc.), and having good relationships with those people helps set me apart from my opponent in this race.

Consultants suggest most of the city’s flooding and sewer problems require fixes at individual residences. Homeowners may resist, especially if there is a cost. How do you propose getting that done?

I am on the Public Works and Buildings Committee of the City Council that is addressing some of those very issues right now. The first steps, which are almost completed, are scoping the problems and identifying the possible solutions. The next steps will be to prioritize the solutions and start to figure out how to fund those solutions. We need to make sure we spend our money wisely and make sure the money we do spend improves the ability of the largest numbers of homes to handle another major storm event. Public education will be vitally important to make sure the residents understand what the problems are, how their specific home may be contributing to the problem and what possible city programs (like 50/50 cost share programs) might be available to help them make these changes. It will also be very important to educate the public on what we are doing and the level of added protection it affords us, however no amount of flood protection/proofing will ever be enough to stop Mother Nature and her next huge storm. We need to make sure we clearly communicate that there is no such thing as 100 percent flood protection.

Elmhurst has four TIF districts now and two more proposed. Do you agree with TIF decisions made thus far (creating TIF 4, moving Hahn St., etc.) and do you support moving forward with TIFs 5 and 6? What other methods of increasing development do you favor?

Elmhurst has a long history of implementing and managing TIFs as well as any city or village in the state. TIFs 1, 2 and 3 are all successful, by any measuring standard, and have helped provide results to the residents of Elmhurst. The economic benefit gained in the three existing TIF areas has helped all Elmhurst residents. I also supported the creation of TIF 4. I think all residents would agree that north York road has been underdeveloped compared to the rest of Elmhurst, and with the new western access to O’Hare coming, now is the perfect time to invest in that area so that we are in best position to take advantage of the extra traffic that will be generated once the western O’Hare access is under construction and then completed. The City of Elmhurst has a proven track record of working with the other taxing bodies, mainly District 205, to help them share in the benefit of economic growth, and increased tax revenues. Elmhurst has released properties early (almost 50 percent of the first TIF in downtown Elmhurst), included schools in TIF maps so that we had a direct way of helping those schools via TIF funds allowing 205 to use their funds at other schools, and declared TIF surpluses, which generate immediate, and substantial, benefits for the other taxing bodies. I have no doubt this, and future, City Councils will do the same.

What is Elmhurst missing that you would like to see?

I would love to see a large indoor recreation facility in Elmhurst, one that could accommodate athletic events (basketball, volleyball, soccer, baseball training), community events, fine arts, etc. This clearly would be under the purview of the Elmhurst Park District, and should they ever want to pursue such a facility, if they would like city cooperation (perhaps in one of the existing TIFs, 2 or 4), I would certainly be supportive of such an effort.

Taxpayers will be your toughest critics, in large part because you’re spending their money. Elmhurst has a lot of informed, outspoken citizens. How will you connect with them to address their concerns?

Communicating with my constituents is an ongoing challenge. I have used pretty much every available means. I have used websites, email address, Facebook, cell and home phone numbers, annual town hall meetings at the Knights of Columbus with hand delivered invitations with my fellow 5th Ward Aldermen (Chris Nybo and now Scott Levin). I have attended Lincoln School PTA meetings (only school in the 5th Ward) and Spring Road Business Association meetings. I have tried to be highly visible in the 6th Ward and city. If re-elected, I will continue to use all of these methods, hold annual town hall meetings and remain as highly visible and active in the community as I can be.

Should Elmhurst allow backyard chicken coops?

Personally, I would not have a chicken coop in my yard. I do not believe the majority of Elmhurst residents want chicken coops to be approved for Elmhurst.  I have only been contacted by 5th Ward residents who oppose the idea of chicken coops in Elmhurst. Unless I were to start seeing and hearing significant support for chicken coops in Elmhurst from 5th Ward residents, I would not be supportive of them in town.

What other message do you really want to get across to Elmhurst voters? Please add any other information pertinent to your campaign.

I have worked hard as one of the aldermen from the 5th Ward. I have really appreciated the opportunity to serve the community in this capacity. I have made the best decisions I could make and always tried to make the decision that I thought best for all of Elmhurst. I have served without compensation or any financial benefit at all, and if re-elected, I will pledge to continue doing so.  I do not have any higher political aspirations.  I enjoy being one of the Aldermen from the 5th Ward and am asking for the opportunity to serve for four more years.  Thank you.


Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here