Jennifer Veremis, Elmhurst Ward 1 Candidate

ELMHURST, IL — Incumbent Jennifer Veremis is one of two candidates for the Ward 1 seat on the Elmhurst City Council.

Here are her responses to the Patch questionnaire:

Name:

Jennifer Veremis

Age:

44

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government?

No

Education:

Attended Oakton Community College, Small Business and Entrepreneur Coaching and Executive Leadership Certification (MentorCoach ACTP, ICF)

Occupation:

Small Business Owner. I started and owned The Beauty Lounge for 17 years, and currently own Jennifer Veremis/Goal.Get.Her Inc., a business coaching firm that assists small business owners with goal setting, financial management, operations efficiency, time management, and productivity. Both businesses are in Elmhurst. www.jenniferveremis.com

Campaign website or social media page:

www.veremis4elmhurst.com
Facebook and Instagram @veremis4elmhurst

Previous or current elected or appointed office:

Current 1st Ward Elmhurst Alderman (elected)

Elmhurst City Centre Board of Directors (elected)

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

Elmhurst is a mature community that requires capital investment to keep infrastructure reliable and ensure our residents’ public health and safety.

First, our wastewater treatment facility is over 40 years old and the equipment needs to be renovated to meet federal requirements. Second, the Illinois General Assembly passed an unfunded mandate to replace lead service lines. And, while Elmhurst has made significant strides in stormwater management, we must continue to meet our five-year capital plan so we can maintain our investment and keep residents’ homes safe and dry. Further, it’s critical that we keep our streets in good repair for the safety of pedestrians, cyclists, and motorists, and add electric vehicle charging stations to align with our sustainability plan.

As alderman, I will prioritize improving Elmhurst’s infrastructure to protect home values and increase public health and safety, while looking for ways to diversify our tax base and reduce reliance on residential property taxes. I will continue to prioritize making needed improvements
in a fiscally responsible way.

What type of residential and commercial development would you like to see in Elmhurst?

As an alderman, I have met countless residents and business owners and listened to their ideas and concerns about the development of Elmhurst.

Elmhurst needs more senior living options. I saw firsthand the benefit of seniors residing in a safe, walkable neighborhood when we moved my grandma into downtown Elmhurst. As an alderman, I will continue advocating for responsible growth and reasonable price points for seniors and long-term residents so they can stay in Elmhurst.

Elmhurst is fortunate to have a sought-after business and industrial park. Our location to major expressways and downtown Chicago have contributed to very low vacancy rates. There is an eclectic mix of companies, several of which contribute to sales tax and eases the burden on residents. The Elmhurst Business and Industrial Park also benefits surrounding retailers and restaurants. However, the in-demand Business Park needs improvements and connectivity, such as creating a walking/bike path, cohesive signage, and landscaping to create an outdoor gathering space.

As an alderman, I will work to modernize our Business and Industrial Park to attract businesses and job seekers to Elmhurst.

How would you like to see downtown develop? Do you support more condos and apartments?

I am passionate about building healthy neighborhoods to keep our community vibrant and strong. As a resident for two decades, I have seen Elmhurst and our needs evolve. Mixed-use developments can offer a variety of functions such as residential, cultural, office space, and "Third Place" community spaces. Third Place spaces are gathering spaces where people meet outside work, home, and school to build community. This idea is appealing because it can provide multiple uses in one building and find a balance between community needs, vitality, and density.
Thoughtful planning requires thinking outside the box. I would advocate for providing incentives for LEED-certified developers or "Green buildings". These types of developments are forward thinking and can provide unique experiences, rooftop dining or gardens for urban dwellers.
Our zoning codes for the inner-core allow for multi-family living however, its imperative to adhere to high standards and quality building materials. After speaking with several residents, I advocated to improve construction site standards and minimize the impact of development on residents and businesses.

I’ve also initiated a review of our downtown area to plan for improvements, including expanded sidewalks and outdoor dining, increased plazas and public spaces, and parking configurations. Elmhurst should be at the forefront of innovative urban design. That will appeal to residents, businesses, and visitors.

The city is facing a multimillion shortfall in stormwater debt for stormwater projects that have been completed. How should the city close it?

In 2015, the city issued bonds to fund significant stormwater projects totaling over $50 million that have NOT been paid by the property taxpayer, but rather funded through home rule sales tax. Unfortunately that source is not enough to cover all the debt service for stormwater projects. We need an additional $3.5 million annually to meet financial needs of debt service and new projects. In order to responsibly pay for the funding of these important projects that benefit all of Elmhurst, we are looking at several ways to pay including a close look at implementing a stormwater utility fee which is more complicated but closely tied to the amount of runoff created by property. Another potential funding source is the sale of city-owned properties that are not directly connected to the City’s mission and may or may not fund the entire shortfall. No matter what route the council decides, as a Finance Committee member, I will carefully consider all options and ensure we do our due diligence and that a funding mechanism is equitable and sustainable for all residents.

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

I have been a resident of Elmhurst for over 25 years, an Elmhurst small business owner for 17 years, and spend my free time volunteering in the community. My connection to the Elmhurst community runs deep. My grandfather built homes in Elmhurst in the 1950s and 60s, and I spent Friday nights at the York football field cheering on my brother. Further, I am proud to live in one of the oldest neighborhoods in Elmhurst, Pick subdivision, with my husband, Joe, and our adopted golden retriever, Bradley Cooper. I deeply understand our community and have worked to make positive change in our community for over a decade.

As a community advocate, I spearheaded Keep Elmhurst Vibrant and organized over 200 neighbors to successfully oppose a gas station development along Salt Creek at Route 83 and St. Charles Road. We believed a gas station at the corner would threaten our environment, traffic, and public safety and negatively impact our community. The group’s work earned the 2019 Citizen Initiative Award from the Citizen Advocacy Center. Most importantly, it proved people working together at the grassroots level can prevail and have positive outcomes.

As a successful Elmhurst small business owner, I have collaborated, supported, and built a camaraderie with fellow business owners. During the pandemic, I created the Elmhurst Owners Covid support group in March 2020 to help keep Elmhurst businesses thriving through adversity. Simultaneously, as an elected City Centre Board Member, I encouraged the creation of the City Centre ad hoc goal-setting committee to assist our businesses further, while successfully adapting my business to continue to generate revenue.

As an alderman I understand the municipal processes and know what it takes to get things done and move issues vital to Ward 1 forward. Residents throughout our community have known me for several years and find me approachable and trustworthy. Asking for help can be challenging, and having a trusted source to turn to is invaluable. As a 25-year resident, an

Elmhurst small business owner, a volunteer for local committees and organizations, a member of business organizations such as the Elmhurst Chamber of Commerce, and a community advocate who has spearheaded improvements for our city, I’m the only candidate who has a vast understanding of our community from multiple perspectives and has a record of accomplishments in getting things done for Elmhurst.

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

It has been my pleasure to serve the residents of Ward 1 on Elmhurst City Council for the past 2½ years. I have municipal experience as an elected City Centre Board member and Elmhurst Alderman, business experience as a successful small business owner, and am skilled in assessing problems and encouraging involvement as a community advocate.

As the current Ward 1 alderman, I have diligently worked to uphold my campaign platforms and enhance the quality of life in our great city. I have met with countless residents, listened to concerns, and effectively worked and collaborated with community alliances, committees, organizations, and city staff. I worked with staff to replace a dilapidated stretch of sidewalk, including ADA compliance along St. Charles Rd., continued to lead the effort to develop a Senior Citizens city-wide discount and safety program and initiated efforts to keep downtown Elmhurst vibrant and safe.

I have diligently worked to protect the taxpayers, improve public safety, and enhance the quality of life for all, including our seniors. I successfully initiated policy change based on residents’ concerns and observations, including a new standardized response to traffic and safety, advocating for the City’s first neighborhood-wide traffic study in College-View and construction site standards.

I have maintained a flat tax, saved taxpayers $2 million by securing federal funds for a new Enterprise Resource Planning system, advocated completing the College View stormwater project, created a public art mural program, and increased communication.

As a small business owner, I bring a unique skill set to the city council. I am a member of the Retail Grant Committee, Elmhurst City Centre Board (elected and ex-officio), and Elmhurst Chamber of Commerce. I have utilized my business acumen to support economic development efforts that attracted 60 new businesses in 2022 leading to some of the lowest vacancy rates in DuPage and vibrant economic districts throughout Elmhurst. While serving on the City Centre Board of Directors (currently, ex-officio), I encouraged the creation and was a member of the Ad Hoc goal-setting committee. We increased our social media presence to assist City Centre businesses, updated the strategic plan, held focus groups, and created new committees through teamwork.
As a community advocate, I believe deeply in the power of community. I have successfully launched community engagement initiatives, including Keep Elmhurst Vibrant, ensuring responsible development and spearheading the efforts with 1st Ward residents to successfully establish a neighborhood park in an underserved area. I am a person who takes action and has
proven to be effective as an elected official and at the grassroots level.

If you win this position, what accomplishment would make your term in office a success?

I view a successful term as the city maintaining a strong financial position for future generations, reliable infrastructure, low vacancy rates in business districts, innovative downtown planning, and safe neighborhood streets. This response is identical to the one I offered when I was elected, and I am pleased with the progress made in each of these key areas during my first term.

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

I intend to serve the full four-year term.

The best advice ever shared with me was:

The only real failure is never trying.

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

It has been my privilege to serve the city of Elmhurst for the past two and a half years, and it would be an honor to be elected to continue to serve you for another four years. My commitment and dedication to our community led me on the path to becoming an alderman. I have been an advocate for the following causes through the years:

● Dedicated to active military and veteran’s causes, I’ve been a volunteer for the USO of Illinois and the American Legion, and as a small business owner donated 10% of holiday gift certificate sales to the American Legion and the Veteran’s Memorial in Wilder Park

● Spring Road Pet Parade Committee member and dog foster mom.

● Keeping Elmhurst thriving is important to me, which is why I co-founded an Elmhurst Business Owners Covid-19 Support Group to provide timely information on federal and state relief initiatives. I also serve on the Elmhurst City Center Board and am an Elmhurst Retail Grant Committee Member.

Take a look at some of what we’ve accomplished together during my alderman term:

● Delivered NO tax increases for the city portion of your taxes as a member of the City of Elmhurst Finance Committee

● Secured federal funds for a new Enterprise Resource Planning system that saved taxpayers $2 million

● Advocated for safer and more beautiful infrastructure in Ward 1 neighborhoods

● Created new traffic study to make Ward 1 a better place to walk, ride and drive

● Working to develop an Elmhurst Seniors city-wide discount and safety program

● Spearheaded the effort with Ward 1 residents to successfully establish the first neighborhood park in Pick subdivision, Pick Park
● Created a public art mural program

I am committed to remaining approachable, accessible, and understanding of what is essential
to residents. "Your priorities are my priorities." I will continue to lead with integrity, listen to the concerns of Ward 1 residents, conduct thorough due diligence on the most vital issues of our Ward and Elmhurst, and make the best informed decisions asked of our City Council to keep Elmhurst vibrant and moving forward.

I have a record of accomplishments and commitment to our future. I humbly request your support on April 4. To learn more about me, my accomplishments, and my vision for the future of Elmhurst, please visit my website at Jennifer Veremis Ward 1 Alderman
(veremis4elmhurst.com).