Jackie Traynere To Run For Mayor And End 'Yoke Of Oppression'

BOLINGBROOK, IL — Will County Board member Jackie Traynere (D-Bolingbrook) announced her plans to run for mayor of Bolingbrook during the April 6, 2021 election.

In a video on Saturday, Traynere said that despite the challenges of the coronavirus pandemic, Bolingbrook residents have "pulled together and moved forward."

"We have had the opportunity here to live the American Dream by growing our local businesses, developing residential areas, building another library, creating more green spaces and even winning awards for them," she said. "However, with all these great things, there is still room for improvement."

During the 2017 mayoral election that was rife with accusations of deception, negative campaigning and connections to President Donald Trump, Traynere had conceded to Roger Claar who had won by just 151 votes with over 13,000 votes cast that night.

She said Bolingbrook has a "court of village trustees and a king like mayor."

"And it is with that in mind that I'm here today with my independent voice to keep us moving forward and begin the process of shedding our yoke of oppression," she added.

One of the driving forces behind her decision is a new tax started in 2019. She said several residents have raised their voice against the garbage tax that brought about a 40 percent increase in property tax without any notable service upgrades.

"Taxation without representation needs to go," Traynere said. "Seniors and others living on fixed incomes have been hit really hard, and they've received no discount or special rate for this service. We cannot stand for this and I will not support policies that so many of our residents have openly opposed."

She also said that Amazon recently purchased a vacant auto auction site opposite a mall at the entrance to Bolingbrook. Claar expressed anger regarding this acquisition but did nothing to improve the appearance of the empty mall. Residents have said that the parking lot of the mall has often used as a truck stop which is a major safety concern.

Traynere has been a member of the Will County Board for nearly 12 years and since her family moved to Bolingbrook in 1970, the community occupies a special place in her heart. She said the village has developed but at the cost of incurring a huge debt. The village was also unable to avoid laying off 40 of its staff members during the pandemic and fend for those in need, she added.

She said she believes in collaboration and will welcome opposition. She will not be a leader who "forces votes based on campaign money, and not one resident should be afraid to disagree with the mayor in public."

Patch has reached out for comment from Claar, who has not responded.

Watch the full video here.