Adam Sidoti: Candidate For Glenview Trustee

GLENVIEW, IL — Ahead of the April 6 consolidated municipal elections, Glenview Patch provided questionnaires to all candidates on the ballot.

Six candidates are vying for four four-year trustee seats on the Glenview Village Board on Election Day. They are Paul Brancky, Gina DeBoni, Tim Doron, Sheri Latash, Adam Sidoti and Cathy Wilson. Current trustees John Hinkamp, Karim Khoja, Mike Jenny and Deborah Karton are not running for reelection. Jenny is running unopposed for Village President with current President Jim Patterson also choosing not to run for reelection.

DeBoni, Doron and Sidoti are running on behalf of the Unite Glenview party. Brancky, Latash and Wilson are running on behalf of the Glenview Next party.

Glenview Patch is publishing all responses submitted by candidates verbatim.

Adam Sidoti

Age (as of Election Day)

40

Town/City of Residence

Glenview

Office Sought

Village board or city council

Party Affiliation (if a partisan race)

Non partisan – Unite Glenview

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government?

No

Education

JD (law school), John Marshall Law School – 2005
University of Illinois – B.S., Journalism, 2002

Occupation

Lawyer (private practice) – 9 years
Lawyer (in-house and operations at Bloomberg and at Ex Libris Group/ProQuest) – 6 years
Current: VP, Business Operations & Legal – Elements Global Services (1 year)

Campaign website

Uniteglenview.org

Previous or Current Elected or Appointed Office

Social Media Chair – Glenview Stars Hockey Association – Glenview Stars Board
Daily News Condo Association Board Member

The single most pressing issue facing our (board, district, etc.) is _______, and this is what I intend to do about it.

The single most pressing issue facing our board is rebuilding trust in the community. It is my absolute goal to create greater transparency into the municipal governance process. We will accomplish that by a more public-focused approach to issues. We will enhance our communication strategies to reach people more effectively. It is not enough to simply say the public is invited, we have to make them welcome and encourage greater engagement. It all starts from there. We will build trust. We will build community. I will always make myself accessible and be transparent in my thought process.

Do you support Black Lives Matter and what are your thoughts on the demonstrations held since the death of George Floyd and the shooting of Jacob Blake?

Black lives do matter. The death of George Floyd, the shooting of Jacob Blake, the murder of Ahmaud Arbery and the senseless killing of Breonna Taylor were all tragic. I admire the messages and methods of Martin Luther King, Jr., and more recently, John Lewis. It is difficult for me, as a Caucasian male, to issue any criticism to those who demonstrated and protested against these injustices.

Do you think the current board has done enough to support racial equality, and if not, what specifically should be done to do so?

I do believe it is important to work to ensure that we have encouraged diversity of background, race, socioeconomics, and – most importantly – of thought. I do not profess to have the answers to such a significant question. I commit to getting out into the community to talk to residents to gain insights on ways to make Glenview a more inclusive community.

What are your thoughts on the national and local coronavirus response? Do you favor measures such as limiting operation of non-essential businesses and restricting indoor/outdoor dining? And do you favor a local mask mandate?

I do not know anyone that was or is happy with the current state of covid19. This pandemic has changed our way of life and impacted us emotionally and physically. I see the impact on my children, who have adjusted to both virtual and in-person schooling modifications. I want to give a lot of credit to District 30- Willowbrook Elementary- for keeping my children safe and making prudent decisions. I support current Illinois and Cook County mask mandates – and other restrictions. At the same time, I understand that we need to find creative ways to help support our most impacted businesses. I remain committed to programs to encourage support of our local businesses.

What are your thoughts on the state and local coronavirus vaccine distribution, and how do you think local governments should work together to handle vaccine rollout?

Like many, I am eagerly awaiting my vaccinations. That said, I am very happy to see my wife (a teacher) and my parents (over 65), as well as countless front-line workers, receiving their vaccine. I would like to see state, county and village officials work together to ensure an even smoother process as supply ramps up. Similar to how state officials worked to conduct covid-19 testing at Flick park, I am confident we can all work together on similar vaccine distribution programs, pending vaccine supply protocols.

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

We are all new to local politics, and I believe my skillset of having practiced law and also having run business operations makes me uniquely qualified. Combine my education and work experience with my commitment to this community as evidenced by my role in the Hart Development and my two school-aged kids, I believe I present as a more well-rounded candidate. The Village has been dealing with very complex issues – and my background and skills will be an asset to this board (along with running mates Gina and Tim).

If you are a challenger, in what way has the current board or officeholder failed the community (or district or constituency)

In a very legit way, we are all challengers. Our trustee candidates all represent new blood. That said, while I have a lot of respect for the work done by this current board, I believe we can improve in measurable ways in the areas of communication and transparency. This is not to say that anyone failed – but it is a way that we can improve the way our Board is viewed.

Describe the other issues that define your campaign platform

I am proud of the work our slate put together to outline our platform. We launched it on our website at www.uniteglenview.org in a very public way because it represents the best of what happens when passionate individuals collaborate to help drive practical and effective solutions. It is why we say we are better together – but that doesn’t mean just as a board. We are better as a community when we are working together. I pledge to work with the public to ensure that we are honoring our strategic development plans while honoring our commitment to fiscal integrity.

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

We learn more from our failures than we ever learn from our wins. I spent 9 years practicing as a litigator, defending physicians and other professionals in malpractice claims. From those times, I learned that the number one thing you can show is empathy. It seems simple, but when someone is angry or agitated, you must force yourself to appreciate their emotions. You can’t tell them not to feel that way or that they are wrong for feeling that way. I have worked in law and I have worked in business, and in all of these settings, the number one skillset that has allowed me to be successful is my commitment to empathy.

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

If at the end of four years, our village continues to demonstrate fiscal strength and we have reestablished trust from the public, then I will be satisfied. That said, I want to ensure that the Village of Glenview is more inclusive to people of all backgrounds and income levels. I will also be focused on helping to drive intelligent and creative downtown development.

Why should voters trust you?

For the past 3 years, I have passionately advocated for more responsible development. I have gone door to door, and I have had many conversations with residents. I believe that I have demonstrated the ability to listen to our residents and I will bring that same energy and passion I have brought over the past three years to the next four. I will approach this role with candor.

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

The current Board should be applauded for its role in financial stewardship. It has also made excellent decisions ensuring that the budget remains balanced, even in the face and aftermath of Covid19. Working with staff, we will continue to look into ways that we can be fiscally responsible while continuing to provide excellent services to the community. It is admirable that we continue to fully fund our annual pension obligations. I think that is critical that we maintain that focus, while also keeping an eye on upcoming legislation that may adversely impact Glenview’s revenue streams.

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

No. I am committed to Glenview. I am committed to ensuring that our Village communicates and conducts its business in a transparent manner.

The best advice ever shared with me was:

I don’t know about the best, but this is what resonates: Assume Positive Intent. Delivered by a former work colleague, I think if we all assume the intent of everyone’s actions or words is positive, it will prevent us from going to dark places, and create a more productive environment.

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

I am extremely proud of my colleagues that form this slate. A lot of people ask about what “Unite Glenview” positions are. I want to make sure that people understand that Gina, Tim and I are all very much individuals with unique ideas and perspectives. Our platform was the culmination of healthy debate and coordination of ideas. I am proud of where we stand as a group. I am proud of our experience. I am confident that we will all be better together, inclusive of everyone in the community.