Grayslake Mayoral Race: Elizabeth Davies Questionnaire

GRAYSLAKE, IL — There are two candidates vying for the open mayoral seat in Grayslake this spring.

The local spring election will be held on April 1. More information on voting and registering to vote can be found here.

Patch.com will be publishing candidate questionnaires leading up to the election for candidates who respond. Below is the candidate questionnaire for Elizabeth Davies, a candidate for the Grayslake mayoral race:

Campaign Website: www.bethforgrayslake.com

Age (as of Election Day): 44

Town/City of Residence: Grayslake

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government? This includes any relatives who work in the government you're running for: No

Education: Bachelor's - Secondary Education - Mathematics

Occupation. Please include years of experience: High School Math Teacher 10 years

Previous or Current Elected or Appointed Office: Grayslake Village Trustee - 10 years

Alternate Representative CLCJAWA and SWALCO - 4 years

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

While the village has actively worked to keep the village portion of our property taxes low, the most pressing issue facing our district is undoubtedly our tax burden. It is the task of every board to maintain the high level of services our residents rely on and deserve, while working to minimize the burden on our taxpayers. I remain committed to the proven fiscal policies that have made Grayslake successful during my 10 years of service, like holding down per person operating costs, passing balanced budgets, and maintaining our debt free status. This helps us optimize our resources, ensuring that every dollar is carefully spent and goes directly to enhancing our community rather than servicing debt.

To further alleviate the financial pressures on our residents, I will work to diversify our property tax base. As new businesses become part of our community, I will also advocate for our policy of using 50% of any new non-residential tax revenue for property tax reduction. This strategy reduces the Village of Grayslake tax rate and helps reduce the overall burden on both residents and businesses, while ensuring we continue to deliver the quality services our community values.

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

The critical difference between my opponent and myself is the depth of my community and government experience serving Grayslake. I have essential knowledge of our municipal budgets, programs, services, and long term planning. I have been deeply involved as a community volunteer, advocate, neighbor, and mom. I understand both the details that keep our community thriving and the core pieces that make Grayslake such a special place. My background as a high school math teacher has equipped me with an analytical mind, which has played a crucial role in my understanding of our village's strong and intricate financial systems. Beyond the financial and governmental aspects, I am deeply connected to our community through my passion for promoting local events, supporting businesses, and nurturing the vitality of our small town. I know what makes our town special and am committed to building on our success. My combination of hands-on municipal experience, financial expertise, and community-first mindset positions me to begin building on Grayslake’s success from Day 1.

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

I am not a challenger.

Describe the other issues that define your campaign platform

The issues that define my campaign are guided by a deep love for and understanding of our town.

1) Promoting our Village Center

I am passionate about promoting our Village Center as a vibrant hub of entertainment, shopping, dining, and recreation. These pieces are essential to the heart of our community, and through enhanced communication, promotion, and events, I will work hard to keep Grayslake’s downtown one of the BEST!

2) Supporting our Businesses

Supporting our business community is another top priority. A thriving business community is integral to our residents and property value, and I will work to ensure that local businesses continue to get the support they need to flourish. They give so much to our village, and I am committed to supporting them. I am also committed to a robust recruitment program to bring more business to our town.

3) Enhancing our Environment

Grayslake has long been a leader when it comes to environmental stewardship, and I will work to enhance that legacy. Continuing to champion open spaces and build on our environmental accomplishments will ensure a higher quality of life for all our families.

4) Continuing Fiscal Responsibility

Fiscal responsibility has been key to Grayslake’s success. Our debt-free status, balanced budgets, and smart economic development have already helped provide the opportunity for reducing the tax burden on our residents. I will continue this sensible approach which means MORE for our community, and MORE for you.

My platform reflects my unwavering dedication to preserving what makes Grayslake special and building on our strengths.

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

In my ten years on the Village Board, I have worked as part of a dedicated team to accomplish many wonderful things for Grayslake. I have shown the knowledge that Grayslake’s success has always been about finding the right balance—between progress and preservation, infrastructure and quality of life improvements, growth and community character. Every choice we make requires carefully balancing the needs of our community. I’ve worked to ensure we invest wisely by strengthening infrastructure while also enhancing the amenities that improve everyday life. I have been a part of the good stewardship and forward-thinking leadership that has helped Grayslake grow while protecting its history and small town feel.
Some of the key accomplishments that reflect this approach:

Investing in Infrastructure, Preserving Our Character

- Built a new water tower to secure our future while protecting the historic downtown tower.

- Strengthened the water system with backup wells and generators for long-term reliability.

- Resurfaced roads, improved curbs, and buried power lines—modernizing while maintaining small-town charm.

Growth and Financial Responsibility

- Expanded development and infrastructure in the Central Range area while maintaining a zero-debt status.

- Diversified the tax base to keep the community financially strong while taking less than allowed by the tax cap.

- Supported local businesses through the pandemic while attracting new investment to Grayslake.

Enhancing Quality of Life, Protecting the Environment

- Transformed the former Gelatin Factory site into Gelatin Park—preserving the historic smokestack while reclaiming the space for the community.

- Invested in downtown beautification, a new nature trail, and expanded community events to bring people together.

- New Nature Trail, expanded bike paths, introduced curbside composting, planted trees, added LED lighting, accessing Community Solar Credits, and offered a wide variety of resident sustainability programs.

Being part of these efforts and many more has been an honor. Whether it’s maintaining fiscal strength, improving infrastructure, or making Grayslake an even better place to call home, I’ve worked to make sure we take a thoughtful, responsible approach to every decision. Progress has never come at the expense of our identity, and I remain committed to keeping our village strong, connected, and welcoming.

Why should voters trust you?

Trust is built through actions, not just words, and I believe I have shown my commitment to Grayslake by listening, engaging, and working hard for our community. Throughout my time in public service, I have made it a priority to be accessible, transparent, and engaged with the community. Whether it’s answering questions, addressing concerns, or collaborating on solutions, I am always available to discuss the issues that matter most to our residents.

Whether it’s meeting in a coffee shop, having a conversation on a doorstep, chatting at the pool, or catching up on the sidelines of a sports field, I work to be accessible in everyday moments. I believe that true representation happens not just in official meetings but in real, everyday interactions with the people I serve.

I understand that I may not always be able to please every resident, but my commitment remains unwavering. I will listen with an open mind, engage in meaningful discussions, and conduct the necessary research to make informed, responsible decisions. My goal is to represent each and every person in our village with integrity, fairness, and a deep commitment to the well-being of our community. My decisions are always guided by what will best serve the people of Grayslake, and I will continue working tirelessly to earn and maintain that trust every day.

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

Grayslake is a special community that is deeply connected to one another. We have a small-town character that makes this a great place to live, raise a family, work, and retire. What makes Grayslake unique is our ability to grow and evolve while preserving the qualities that make this community feel like home. To consider my term a success, we must build on our strengths while protecting what makes us special.

That means maintaining our financial responsibility, ensuring the Village remains fiscally sound, holding down resident fees when possible, and preserving our zero-debt status in order to maximize the impact of the dollars we spend. It means continuing to invest in infrastructure, expanding bike paths and roads, and fostering responsible development in the Central Range area. It also means supporting local businesses, helping them thrive, and attracting new opportunities.

A successful term would also see us growing our environmental initiatives, and continuing beautification efforts that enhance our town’s charm and our property values. It would mean strengthening the connections that make Grayslake feel like home through enhanced community events, improved public spaces, and increased opportunities for residents to engage with one another.

Ultimately, my goal is to ensure that Grayslake continues to be a place where people feel proud to live, where families want to stay for generations, and where every resident feels heard and valued. If, at the end of my term, people see tangible improvements in our community while knowing their tax dollars have been used responsibly, then I will know I have succeeded.

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

Fiscal responsibility is one of the most important duties of any elected official. Every tax dollar we receive is precious and must be stewarded with the utmost care. These funds are entrusted to us to accomplish the priorities of the Village, and it is our responsibility to ensure they are respected and used efficiently. As a taxing body, we must always look for opportunities to limit what residents pay while exercising extreme diligence in how we manage public funds.

Grayslake has been a model of smart fiscal management through innovation and careful oversight of operating expenses. The Village’s per resident operating costs have risen about 40% less than the rate of inflation since 1992, and we have consistently passed balanced budgets while maintaining a debt-free status. We take a proactive approach to financial planning, creating forecasts and plans that allow us to sustain service delivery even during economic downturns.

Our success is built on a commitment to responsible financial stewardship by keeping expenses in check while ensuring high-quality services for our residents. We have diversified our tax base, invested in necessary infrastructure improvements, and supported businesses without placing unnecessary financial burdens on taxpayers.

Smart fiscal management is not just about balancing budgets—it’s about making thoughtful, strategic decisions that strengthen our community both now and in the future. If elected, I will continue to uphold these principles, ensuring that every dollar is spent wisely and that Grayslake remains the wonderful place we call home.

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

Grayslake is a community that prides itself on safety and a strong sense of security among its residents. According to recent data, the village's violent crime rate and overall crime rate stand significantly lower than the national median. While Grayslake remains a safe community, we can always strive to reduce crime and make our community safer.

The department's dedication to excellence is further demonstrated by its accreditation through the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies (CALEA), a distinction achieved by only about 5% of police organizations nationwide. This accreditation reflects adherence to 459 rigorous standards, ensuring that the department operates with the highest level of professionalism and effectiveness.

To enhance public safety, the Grayslake Police Department actively collaborates with neighboring communities and local agencies. Through associations with several Lake County inter-agency units including -- the Major Crash Assistance Team (MCAT), the Lake County Major Crimes Task Force, the Lake County Metropolitan Enforcement Group (MEG), and the Northern Illinois Police Alarm System (NIPAS) -- the department leverages additional resources and expertise to address complex incidents and ensure comprehensive community protection.

The Department also engages in community outreach initiatives to strengthen the bond between law enforcement and residents. Programs like "Shop with a Cop" provide holiday shopping experiences for children in need, fostering positive relationships and community trust. To further engage with citizens and better connect with those they serve, the department has introduced enhanced communication initiatives that work to keep the community informed.

Strengthening partnerships between law enforcement, other agencies, and residents, we can identify and address potential issues before they escalate. Ongoing investment in officer training, community outreach programs, and open dialogue will further solidify the trust and cooperation that are vital to keeping Grayslake a safe and welcoming place for all.

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

A key priority is ensuring that new development aligns with our village’s long-term vision. That means focusing on responsible, well-planned growth that enhances our community’s charm and livability. While we must recruit business to help diversify the tax base, we also must continue to support our existing downtown and small business community, as they are at the heart of what makes Grayslake special. By investing in our Village Center, attracting businesses that complement our local economy, and fostering a thriving environment for entrepreneurs, we can strengthen our economic foundation without compromising our character.

Grayslake has successfully demonstrated that development does not have to come at the expense of character. By upholding smart zoning policies, supporting local businesses, and prioritizing projects that align with our long-term goals, we can continue to grow while preserving the small-town feel that makes Grayslake special.

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?

As a village, we are constantly striving to create a stronger community. Through collaboration and meaningful engagement, we have shaped the Grayslake Comprehensive Plan 2025, a forward-thinking blueprint for sustainable growth and opportunity.

This plan highlights key areas of development, including the Central Range, where significant strategic growth will help diversify our property tax base, strengthening our long-term financial health. It envisions a thriving Hometown Grayslake that preserves our small-town charm while welcoming new businesses and experiences. It deepens our commitment to environmental stewardship, ensuring that Grayslake remains a place of natural beauty and outdoor recreation.

And through sub-area plans, we explore ways to introduce housing and amenities that support residents at every stage of life, allowing them to grow and stay in the village they love.

This is exciting, transformative work, and like any great endeavor, success comes through a clear process:

1) Have the Vision – Envision the future we want for Grayslake.
2) Plan – Develop thoughtful, strategic steps to make it a reality.
3) Implement – Take action with purpose and precision.
4) Persist – Stay the course, adapting and innovating as we move forward.

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

No

The best advice ever shared with me was:

Good Leadership is not about having the best ideas – It’s about creating a space where the best ideas can be shared.

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

I want voters to know that I love this town, and I think about our village and its future constantly. Whether I’m walking our trails, visiting our restaurants, or spending time with my family at the pool, I’m always reflecting on how we can continue to strengthen and enhance our community.
I am passionate about Grayslake and its people. I truly believe it is the best place to live, work, and raise a family. Our small-town character, strong sense of community, and thoughtful planning have made this a special place, and I am committed to building upon our success while protecting what makes Grayslake unique.

I take my role as a trustee seriously and work every day to ensure that we are making responsible, forward-thinking decisions that benefit all residents. From maintaining our financial stability to fostering smart development and enhancing our quality of life, my focus is always on keeping Grayslake a place we can all be proud to call home.

If you have a concern, email me. If you have an idea, let’s meet for coffee. I hope, as mayor, to work with all the wonderful residents of Grayslake to continue building a community we all love.