Adam Park, Elmhurst Ward 5 Candidate

ELMHURST, IL – Adam Park is one of two candidates for the Ward 5 seat on the Elmhurst City Council.

Here are his responses to the Patch questionnaire:

Name:

Adam John Park

Town of residence:

We have lived in Elmhurst for 21 years.

Age:

53

Campaign contact email:

Adamfor5thWard@gmail.com

Family:

Married to Tina for 30 years. Father of Sophia Freeman (née Park), Josie, Aaron, and CC Park - all current and/or former students of York, Bryan, and Lincoln. Father-in-law of Jack Freeman. Grandfather of Miles Freeman.

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government?

My wife, Tina Park, is stepping down after serving the 5th Ward of Elmhurst as Alderwoman for 8 years. I’ve seen firsthand the dedication it takes to represent our community effectively. I want to build on her hard work by making thoughtful, forward-thinking decisions that keep Elmhurst a great place to live for everyone.

Also, my brother-in-law is an Alderman in Appleton, WI.

Education:

BA, Political Science, University of Chicago
MBA, Business, Georgia State University
MHA, Health Administration, Georgia State University

Occupation:

Healthcare Finance Executive

Previous or current elected or appointed office:

Here in Elmhurst, I’ve been named to various resident focus groups, offering feedback and addressing key issues and decision-making.

Prior to Elmhurst, we lived in Madison, Wisconsin, where I was appointed by the Mayor to serve on the State Street Advisory Committee. We collaborated with local businesses to guide development and enhance the city's central business Tax Increment Financing (TIF) district.

The single most pressing issue facing the city is _____, and this is what I intend to do about it.

As your Alderman, my priorities would be to maintain the AAA bond rating, high property values, and safety that all help make this a great place for us to raise a family. Efficiently investing in the future of Elmhurst is the most pressing issue. That means making our streets and sidewalks even safer, updating our water and sewage systems, and supporting our business districts that bring in sales tax revenue from outside of Elmhurst.

What are the critical differences between you and the other candidate seeking this post?

I prefer to focus on my philosophy and qualifications rather than contrast myself with the other candidate. My goal is to serve the residents of the 5th Ward by being a committed listener to your concerns and your strong advocate in city affairs. I bring a perspective shaped by my background in thoughtful financial stewardship and community engagement. I’m dedicated to making decisions that prioritize long-term benefits for all people in Elmhurst, especially the 5th Ward.

What accomplishments in your past would you cite as evidence you can handle this job?

My entire career I have been trying to improve the way that healthcare is financed and delivered. I have been with established healthcare systems, startups, and now the largest health insurer in the state. I work to make healthcare more efficient and focused on quality outcomes. I will bring this mindset and these skills to the City of Elmhurst - to be a steward of our tax dollars and our shared resources, striving for efficiency and quality.

Are the city government's taxes too high, too low or just about right? Explain.

The people I talk to sometimes find this hard to believe, but the city’s portion is only 7% of our property tax. The rest of our bill goes towards things like our fabulous schools and stellar park district. Would I like my property taxes to be lower? Sure, we all would. I think we are getting a lot of benefit from our current city property taxes.

How do you feel about the downtown apartment and condo development in recent years?

When I lived in Atlanta many years ago, downtown felt like an office park. The only restaurants that were open for dinner during the week were inside of a hotel. I am thankful that Elmhurst has downtown residents. It makes for a more vibrant city. Those apartments and condos can serve young families looking for an opportunity to plant their roots in our community and for seniors looking to downsize but still remain connected to Elmhurst. I would like to see a downtown architectural commission that would keep the big picture in mind, aesthetically and functionally.

What is your view of the city's maintenance of its infrastructure?

The city’s maintenance teams do an excellent job keeping our city working well and looking good. Every year they plant 500 trees and replace 8 miles of blacktop, and flooding has been drastically reduced. We do have a looming issue with our water/sewer system. Many pipes are beyond their life expectancy. While potholes and flooded streets are obvious, underground issues often go unnoticed until there is an emergency. We need to plan to address the aging plumbing of our town before it becomes an emergency.

Has the city done a good job in handling stormwater issues?

Yes, and it is important to be proactive as infrastructure needs may evolve.

What is your assessment of the police department's performance?

Elmhurst was recently ranked the 8th safest suburb in the country by smartasset.com. That is evidence that the police department is doing a fine job.

Does the city need a new police station? Why or why not?

Yes. The building is decaying. The design barely met the needs of the police force at the time it was built. It is not ADA compliant. It does not meet standards for police and citizen safety. Providing appropriate resources to our police department is an investment in Elmhurst’s future.

Do you support a property tax increase, in part, to pay for the new station?

I have seen the latest report from the Finance Committee, with a proposal on how we could plan and pay for a new police station. A substantial amount of the funding would come from bonds and other sources. It does also include approximately $50/year in property tax increases. If the people of the 5th Ward support those modest property tax increases then I would support them in City Council.

What is your view of the city's decision last year to raise water and sewer rates by 28 percent?

It was unfortunately unavoidable. The city was required to pay for higher acquisition costs of water and unfunded federal mandates to treat it. I support the city offering assistance to those in our community who struggle to meet the additional cost.

Should the mayor and aldermen take political contributions from city contractors or those with zoning or other matters before the council? Why or why not?

If it is legal, then other politicians can accept such contributions. I wouldn’t.

Should the city allow video gambling or recreational marijuana sales in town?

There was a referendum on both issues. The city of Elmhurst and the residents of the 5th Ward said we didn’t want them. This is how I would represent my constituents.

Should the city do anything to make housing more affordable in town? Why or why not?

My daughter got married a few weeks ago. She would like to find a home for her family in Elmhurst, where she grew up. The city should continue to encourage affordable housing in every long term plan.

Is there any reason you would not serve your full term of office, other than those of health or family?

Even if I won the lottery, I would still live in Elmhurst and I would still serve my full term as 5th Ward Alderman.

What else would you like voters to know about yourself and your position?

I’m running for 5th Ward Alderman to ensure Elmhurst continues to thrive, while preparing for the future. My campaign is built on three key pillars: service, strategic investment, and communication. I want to give back to the community that we love - making smart financial decisions that prioritize long-term stability, addressing needs before they become emergencies, and ensuring your voice is truly heard in city government.
I’d love to hear from you—email me and follow my campaign on Facebook to learn more about me and share your thoughts.