Evergreen Park Village Trustee Candidate Terri Daley: Election 2025

EVERGREEN PARK, IL — Challenger Terri Daley is running with the EP Community Party for the office of trustee for the Village of Evergreen Park in the upcoming April 1 election. Early voting starts March 17

Your name

Terri Daley

Campaign Website

EP Community Party

Office sought

Trustee, Village of Evergreen Park

Town/City of Residence

Evergreen Park

Party Affiliation (if a partisan race)

Not a partisan race

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government? This includes any relatives who work in the government you're running for.

No

Occupation. Please include years of experience.

I have been retired since 2024, prior to that I worked for a personal injury law firm in Chicago for 32 years as a paralegal and office manager. I hold a B.S. in Criminal Justice from Illinois State University and paralegal certificate from Roosevelt College. Before working at the law firm I was a clerk for a Circuit Court of Cook County judge for 7 years.

Previous or Current Elected or Appointed Office

The only elected office I have held was Most Holy Redeemer School Board from 2002-2005.

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

The board’s current lack of communication, transparency, and accountability are the root from which negative sentiment in the village grows. When people feel shut out, they shut down – Evergreen Park is stagnating. We need our residents to have a vested interest in their community, not withdraw from it. I have watched the village’s demographics change dramatically over the last 20 years, yet these changes are nowhere to be seen in the village’s process or government. “Town hall” style meetings for all residents of Evergreen Park would be a first step toward making the myriad voices of EP residents heard. Bi-monthly Village meetings would be livestreamed to allow for residents that are elderly or otherwise unable to leave their homes to be able to attend virtually. Additionally, our village website needs bilingual access, so all residents are able to engage with the information available there.

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

I am personally invested in active involvement in our community. Having lived here for 40+ years, I have seen Evergreen Park change and grow in so many ways. I want to see involvement from everyone in our village, not just folks that have been here for as long as I have. I want to open the door to different cross-sections of Evergreen Park’s broad spectrum of residents and help them get involved at their own pace. Everyone can do their part, and this is mine.

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

The personal agendas of the current board have seeped into their actions as trustees to the detriment of current residents. There are just under 20,000 residents in Evergreen Park, not just 6 trustees and a mayor. All of those experiences matter, and all of those goals matter. The current board is not performing their duty to accurately represent the needs and expectations of the population.

Describe the other issues that define your campaign platform.

In addition to better access to resources and enabling members of the community to get involved with the village directly, I will also advocate for term limits for all board members. There is great value in changing perspective, and if we are not turning over the board and getting new folks involved on a regular basis, then we are not gaining any additional insight on the issues facing our village.

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

I worked in the private sector for 32 years as an office manager and have developed strong skills in accounting, tech, and other managerial responsibilities. I have experience in leadership throughout my life, coaching for the village’s girls softball league for 6+ years and volunteering for various dog rescue groups in various roles.

Why should voters trust you?

This village has been my home for 40+ years. My husband and I have raised two children here and have chosen to stay after they have both moved out and on to other places. I am dedicated to the continued development and growth of Evergreen Park because I have seen what we can do when we work together. The only thing I gain by winning this election is the responsibility to speak with and for my constituents, not over them. I am excited to dedicate this period of my life to service of a community that has given me so much.

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

Getting town hall meetings set up and keeping them regular would be a massive success for the village, as it would allow residents an equal opportunity to participate in village government and make their voices heard.

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

Elected office is a privilege, and along with that privilege comes responsibility. Taxpayer dollars must be spent wisely. Allowing residents to express their goals for their tax dollars will allow the board to more effectively execute fiscal decisions.

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

The majority of violent crime (per publicly available data) in Evergreen Park originates from the shopping corridor from 91st Street to 97th Street on Western. Additional police presence in this area would be a good first step to reduce this.

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

Proactively seeking new businesses should be a part of the village’s operating model, not the other way around. We want to demonstrate to business owners that we are an attractive location for their investment by highlighting our vibrant and engaged community that represents a broad spectrum of different economic interests.

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

The Village passed an ordinance in July 2024 to allow a cannabis dispensary in Evergreen Park. We are far past discussing whether it should be allowed. I believe that dispensaries will be as common as liquor stores within the next 5 years, and the associated tax revenue can dramatically benefit the village.

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?

The 95th Street retail corridor is in need of a refresh. There are many vacant storefronts, and the rate of turnover for new small businesses is high. There are a few different ways to approach something like this, specifically addressing parking and general accessibility, but the end goal would be for Evergreen Park to become more walkable, so these businesses receive more foot traffic.

What village policies do you feel need refreshing or sunsetting?

The village currently pays for health insurance for trustees and their families. There was probably a time when this would not have made a major difference in cost to the village, but the healthcare and insurance industries have undergone massive changes in the last 10 years. This cost, combined with the additional cost associated with paying trustees for their time on the board, are outdated and only serve to drain the village budget. This is money that we could be spending to improve our village, rather than compensating folks for whom this is not a full-time position.

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

Term limits are absolutely necessary. We have trustees that have been on the Evergreen Park board for 24, 28, 32 years. This lends itself to stagnation and can create an environment that encourages corruption. Term limits allow for a wider pool of individuals to seek office, creating opportunities for fresh talent and new ideas, while discouraging complacency and concentration of power. There may be a case to be made that term limits already exist in the form of elections, but in practice our village doesn’t end up with much of a choice. This is because the idea of running against an incumbent with nearly 30 years of tenure can be daunting, as I now know firsthand. In keeping with my beliefs on residential involvement, however, I think that the institution of term limits should be put to our population via a referendum vote on the ballot.

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

No. If elected, I will serve the full term.

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

I commit to speaking with and for the people of Evergreen Park, and never over them. I will always be open to conversation with our residents regarding how local government affects their lives and will take careful consideration of everything shared. I am committed to transparency and truth as a trustee, even if those truths might mean there’s more work to be done.