2013 Election: Colleen Hassell

Name: Colleen Hassell

Position Sought: Frankfort Township Trustee

Campaign Contact Information: hassellcolleen@yahoo.com 815-469-3080, www.victory2013.com

What will be your single most important priority if you get elected?

I would like to better inform the people that live in Frankfort Township of what the role of the Township is and what services are available. When I tell people that I am running for Trustee, most question what the Township does. People often don't even know if they live within the Township. It is my goal to generate more public exposure to the office and create a welcoming environment where the public can feel that they are an integral part of the Township processes.

Home Address: Graceland Lane, Frankfort IL 60423

Family Members: Husband Jeff Hassell Son - Kevin (5 years old)
Daughter - Lexie (3 years old)

Education: Bachelor of Arts in Public Relations from DePaul University

Current Occupation and Employer: Stay-at-home mom, part-time employee for Frankfort Square Park District

Political Party Affiliation: Democrat

Why are you seeking office?

To help the people of Frankfort Township. They need an honest and transparent local government.

What sets you apart from the other candidates?

I am not a career politician. I am a mother and a wife first. It is on these principles that I am running. I feel that I can personally identify with the concerns the average citizen experiences and plan on providing a challenging voice of the people to the status quo.

Government should be working for the people, not the people for the government.

In your opinion, what are the primary challenges facing the township?

I believe the primary challenges facing the Township are that families and seniors are struggling to make ends meet, people are out of work and they are stressed. I want to make sure we do not raise taxes. We need to make sure that the people that are running the Township aren't spending the community's money in a frivolous manner.

How will you address those challenges?

Every time I need to vote on an issue within the Township I will take into account how the vote will affect each and every resident.

If elected, what will be your philosophy as a member of the township board? 

To be a fair representative of Frankfort Township. I would like transparency to be a major part of my term. I would also like the Township to embrace social media.

Please add any other information pertinent to your campaign.

Before I became a stay-at-home mom I worked in the corporate world. I was a Compliance Consultant at CNA Insurance. I was a volunteer for Y-Me of Illinois from 2001-2007. While with Y-Me I was on the advocacy committee. I have lobbied in Washington DC for funding for breast cancer research. I am also a volunteer within the Summit Hill School District.