Evergreen Park Village Trustee Candidate Mark Phelan: Election 2025

EVERGREEN PARK, IL — Mark Phelan is running with the Good Government Party for his fifth term as trustee for the Village of Evergreen Park in the April 1 election. Three trustee seats are open on the village board. Early voting begins March 17.

Your name:

Mark Phelan

Campaign Website:

EP United Homeowners

Office sought:

Trustee for the Village of Evergreen Park

Town/City of Residence:

Evergreen Park

Party Affiliation

United Home Owners/Good Government Party

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government?

My son, Luke, is employed by the Village of Evergreen Park.

Occupation

County of Cook, Retired Carpenter (27 years), proud Laborers and Carpenters Union

Previous or Current Elected or Appointed Office:

To serve as a current elected trustee

The most pressing issues facing our board are ______, and this is what I intend to do about them.

I choose to focus on the actions of our party, the United Homeowners Party. We are true public servants who work FOR the residents of this Village.

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

I choose to focus on my record. I have years of political experience and many years of volunteering/coaching/guiding within my wonderful community.

If you are a challenger, in what way has the current board or officeholder failed the community?

Not applicable.

Describe the other issues that define your campaign platform. What accomplishments in your past would you cite as evidence you can handle this job?

I have worked efficiently and collaboratively with three mayors. I currently chair the public works committee and help formulate the annual budget. Our team, including Mayor Kelly Burke and my five fellow trustees, enact ordinances that protect the safety, health and well-being of all Village of Evergreen Park residents.

Why should voters trust you?

Along with my wife, Judy (Pranckus) Phelan, we are fiercely proud and loyal life-long residents of Evergreen Park. I attended Most Holy Redeemer school and Evergreen Park High School. We have raised four children in this awesome Village, two of which currently own homes in Evergreen Park and plan to reside here. I can honestly say that one of the greatest compliments to our Village is when our adult children decide to invest in homes and raise their family in the village that they grew up in, It truly says so much about this remarkable place to live! My mission as trustee is to ensure that all residents of Evergreen Park live in a happy, safe and advantageous manner.

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

Again, as a public servant, I hope that all village residents feel content and safe, knowing that the United Homeowners party is always there for them; we are all here to assist with potential problems and other challenges that you may encounter.

What are your views on fiscal policy, government spending and the handling of taxpayer dollars in the office you are seeking?

The fiscal policy under all administrations I have worked for have always run a balanced budget. Government should never spend over their means. Mayor Burke has always presented a balanced budget to this board, which we have all supported. We are all behind being good stewards of the resident’s money.

What are your thoughts on the crime rate in your community, and what more can be done to combat crime — especially violent crime — in Evergreen Park?

I am very proud of the 60 sworn officers of the Evergreen Park Police force. Under EPPD Chief Mike Saunders’ direction, they work hard to make Evergreen Park the safest place to live. We recently installed more license plate readers around the Village to assist in the surveillance/ detection of crime in high traffic areas of Evergreen Park. When something happens, our police force responds immediately; they stop crime before it happens. We have more police per capita than many towns in Illinois. The residents of Evergreen Park should feel very safe with the men and women who fight crime in our village.

What is your view of the city's/village's approach to commercial and residential development?

Under the direction of Mayor Kelly Burke, commercial and business development has gone extremely well. We have many new businesses in the Village and our tax dollars are helping to improve our village services (parks, streets and water department). The Streets and Water department employees, under new leadership for the past year, have done a great job in maintaining our beautiful Village so that it is attractive to business owners looking to locate here as well as our residents. New homes have been built on formerly vacant parcels; town homes have been built for our residents, focusing towards our ‘senior’ population. People want to live in Evergreen Park.

Should a cannabis dispensary be allowed in Evergreen Park? Why or why not?

Yes, increased tax dollars to improve OUR parks and services to village residents.
When it comes to development, what are some key areas for improvement or additions you feel are most wanted by residents? What will need to be done to make this happen?
What village policies do you feel need refreshing or sunsetting?
Our administration is very proactive and fair when it comes to maintaining current policies and procedures within the village.

Should there be term limits on municipal boards? Why or why not?

There is an election every two years; the residents vote accordingly.

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

No.

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

Along with being a village trustee, I am the manager of the Evergreen Park Village Pantry. I am proud to volunteer many hours per week supervising the operations/volunteers, shopping for food and distributing food and other products to our residents in need.
In 2011, I received a Certificate of Deaconate Studies at St. Mary of the Lake Seminary and became an ordained Deacon at Most Holy Redeemer. I am honored to officiate at Mass, weddings, funerals and christenings.

In addition, I am a proud volunteer football coach for the Most Holy Redeemer Raiders for over four decades. I currently assist my son’s Evergreen Park Boys Club baseball team, where I also managed my son’s team when he was in grade school.
Finally, my mother and father instilled in me to leave things better than how you found them; my public service to my community is of the utmost importance to me.