Community Corner
Elaine Bottomley: Candidate for JJC Trustee
Elaine Bottomley is one of six candidates on the ballot for JJC Trustee for three open at-large seats.
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Hi, my name is Elaine Bottomley and I am a candidate for Joliet Junior College Board of Trustees in the April 1, 2025 election.
Joliet Junior College plays an important role for all of our communities and serves more than 650,000 people in parts of Will, Grundy, Kendall, LaSalle, Kankakee, Livingston, and Cook counties. As the nation’s first public community college, JJC has always strived to provide a quality education for students wanting to access high-quality, affordable education close to home. I’m running to ensure that there are local, first-class education and training opportunities available for the current and future generations of the JJC district. I want to guarantee the continued success and growth of the institution, keeping an eye towards the future while making budgetary and governance decisions for today.
We are at a critical point in continuing education, with a changing economy and ever-evolving workforce needs. I strongly believe that the decisions made by JJC leaders during the next few years will impact the institution and determine the accessibility of quality higher education for decades to come. By implementing community-focused, long-term planning goals, along with responsible spending, we can empower JJC to remain an educational and economic pillar of the region.
As leaders we need to ensure that Joliet Junior College continues to be the anchor of our region’s success through its bolstered job training and history of setting students up for success, all of which drive economic growth and job opportunities. I'm committed to ensuring that there is proper planning and investment into College operations and facilities, allowing for adaptability to fit the needs of students and faculty. All with the goal of supporting JJC so future generations can continue to receive top tier education right at home.
My Background
I am a lifelong Joliet resident and a third generation JJC Student. JJC was critical for my academic journey. The classes that I took in the summer helped me stay on track while I was in college. These summer classes allowed me to enjoy small class sizes and strong academic support. While I never graduated from JJC, I do have a Bachelor of Arts in Urban Planning from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign and a Master’s Degree in Urban Planning and Policy from the University of Illinois Chicago.
For the last ten years I have spent my career working in local government with a focus on improving public services and enhancing quality of life. Most of my career has focused on transportation planning and coordinating with municipalities and other government organizations. Working with a wide range of towns that have different goals and problems they face, I have seen first-hand the importance and need for clear lines of communication and adapting plans to best suit the needs of residents. Listening, adaptability, and communication are skills that I carry with me in everything that I am involved with. I believe that the JJC Board of Trustees needs those skills now more than ever.
Outside of work, I have been a Joliet Public Library Board Member since November 2020 and a Cathedral Area Preservation Association (CAPA) Board Member since May 2021. In my over four years on the Library Board I have had the opportunity to serve as Treasurer, as well as Secretary. On the CAPA Board, I have volunteered for neighborhood clean up days, revamped our membership process, and helped plan large scale neighborhood events. Service is a key part of my life and I’m inspired every day to make a positive impact in my community.
Why I'm Running
I am running for Joliet Junior College Trustee because I believe in the power of education to change lives. I want to make sure that JJC continues to thrive and provide incredible opportunities for everyone. I will work to ensure accessible education opportunities for all, sensible spending, and a community-first approach to decision-making.
Recently, JJC has been in the news and headlines for all the wrong reasons. I am running because these embarrassing and disrespectful actions are not how elected officials should be acting. I want to bring the focus back onto the good things that JJC faculty and students are doing every day. As your next JJC Trustee I will act with the integrity and respect towards others expected of an elected official.
Election Day is April 1, 2025 but early voting is open now! Find an early voting location here: https://ova.elections.il.gov/earlyvotinglocations.aspx
If you want to vote on election day you can find your April 1, 2025 polling place: https://ova.elections.il.gov/PollingPlaceLookup.aspx
If you are interested in learning more about Elaine Bottomley visit: https://www.facebook.com/electbottomley/
To watch the JJC Board of Trustees Candidate forum: https://youtu.be/ii0OP6Vm-Og?si=EVRi2zUHemk7Z6Mu
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