Kevin Waldenstrom: Candidate For Grayslake Village Board

GRAYSLAKE, IL — There are six candidates vying for four open seats on the Grayslake Village Board this upcoming election.

Five candidates are looking to fill three full-term seats on the village board. Incumbents Kevin Waldenstrom, who has served on the village board since 2009, and Elizabeth Davies, who was first elected as a trustee in 2014, will be seeking re-election. Meanwhile, newcomers Kathleen Wasik and Rachel Rezek are looking to join the village board, and Shawn Vogel, who served on the board from 2005 to 2021, is also vying for a seat.

Pradip Sahu will run unopposed for a a two-year unexpired trustee position. Sahu was appointed to the village board last year after former trustee, Adam Shores, stepped down from his post after his family decided to move from Grayslake to Libertyville.

Patch.com has been collecting candidate's responses from questionnaires sent out for all those running for election. Here are the responses from Waldenstrom:

Name: Kevin Waldenstrom

Age (as of Election Day): 49

Town/City of Residence: Grayslake

Office sought: Village board

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 of Science, Business Administration

Occupation. Please include years of experience.

Mold Remediation Contractor (18 yrs) / Real Estate Broker (28yrs)

Previous or Current Elected or Appointed Office:

Village Trustee

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

Serious issues can be hard to predict (floods, pandemics, etc.) But there are steps you can take to prepare for them. Historically, the Village government has engaged in substantial long-range planning and execution on those plans. This allows the Village to address serious issues. For example, the Village has two salt domes, and uses sound conservation principles in applying salt. The Village did not face a salt shortage in 2013 like other towns and is unlikely to in the future due to conservation practices, this allows us to ensure our roads are safely maintained in the winter. Another example: The Village receives its water from CLCJAWA. However, the Village has maintained its wells so that if the supply from CLCJAWA is ever interrupted, our residents will not be without water. Final example: The Village actively works to diversify its revenue streams; we were not impacted by the economic downturn and in fact were able to assist businesses during the pandemic.

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

I have a diverse background, including experience in zoning and land usage, finance, construction (industrial, commercial and residential), environmental issues (air quality and building science), management, and even snowplowing. This extensive background enables me to understand the issues that come before the board in depth. My record shows each year during the tax levy process, I approve of taking only a portion of the entire levy

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

Not applicable

Describe the other issues that define your campaign platform

For years I have done what I can to help diversify the tax base. This includes bringing businesses to town, making land “shovel ready” and attractive to for well planned developments such as Medline’s newest building in the southern end of town. This 1.4 million square foot LEED certified building is the largest medical grade distribution center in the US. I also am proponent of Grayslake Sustainable Business program. On my time on the board, we have added more open space and trails to the Village with more trails already in the making.

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

I would look toward the work I have done with the intergovernmental agreements on infrastructure improvements such the Atkinson Rd extension, Washington Street underpass, Lake and 120 intersection improvements. I was part of the committee to reduce costs and offer free recycling with the commercial waste hauling. Grayslake has become a Bird City and earned the SolSMart designation (a designation for solar energy leaders), we have the largest recycling center (containers/paper products, electronics, textile and Reuse-a-Shoe). During the pandemic we provided grants to Grayslake businesses. We have also enhanced transparency by streaming the village board meetings. This has all been completed while keeping our tax increases 34% less than inflation since 1992.

Why should voters trust you?

Grayslake is my hometown, and my family has an extensive history here. I have been on the board for a while now and am not using it as a steppingstone. The decisions I have made help make Grayslake become what it is today. These decisions have helped revitalize the Village Center and brought businesses to the other areas of town all while keeping the property taxes lower than inflation.

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

A continuation of our debt free status, environmental stewardship such keeping the 50% open land for new developments, Tree City and Bird City a leader in recycling (electronic, food scraps)

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

Grayslake has a balanced budget and is debt free. The Village has been controlling costs and keeping their growth below the rate of inflation through out-sourcing, process improvements, public-private partnerships, government to government partnerships. Ensuring that these polices -- which have maintained Grayslake's strong financial position -- are maintained is my top priority.

Do you support the Illinois assault weapons ban, and would you support a local assault weapons ban in this community?

As a husband, father, small business owner and longtime resident, the safety of Grayslake is extremely important to me. Grayslake has a very low crime rate and as a Village Trustee I support efforts to keep it low. As a non-home rule community, the Village Board does not have authority to regulate gun sales. The Village of Grayslake enforces and complies with state laws and regulations in this area and employs community policing techniques to ensure that the community remains as safe as possible.

Do you support the SAFE-T Act? Why or why not?

It is imperative the residents feel safe in their homes and in their neighborhoods. The Village's police department is a key contributor to safety. Grayslake's police department is one of the few accredited police departments in the country and employs community policing as a mechanism to deter and prevent crime. In fact, the Grayslake police department also provides police services to our neighbors in Hainesville. Both communities have very low crime rates. Grayslake complies with all state laws, the police practices implemented in the SAFE-T act are in alignment with many community policing strategies and best practices already used in Grayslake.

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 safe community with a very low crime rate. According to the United Crime Reporting statistics for both Grayslake and Hainesville, index crimes were down 44% in 2021/2022. Like many other communities we are not immune to crime, specifically “crime of opportunity” such as people moving through neighborhoods and opening unlocked cars in the driveways and removing valuables, I have posted on social media reminders to keep vehicles locked and the police department has done that as well, as using other community policing techniques to detect and prevent crime.

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 member of the Economic Development Commission and a commercial real estate broker I understand the importance of keeping existing businesses here in town. This is why the Village worked with other taxing bodies to keep businesses like Harger Lightning & Grounding in town. We also worked with the owners of the former fairgrounds to help make their property “shovel ready” by removing the dilapidated buildings and with the Lake County to remove the financial hurdles that how long been an issue to spur development on that parcel.
We have been successful in bringing many businesses to Grayslake. A lot of these businesses are located in the Village Center but many are located in the multiple business parks and on the highways that throughout town. Nationwide companies such as FedEx and Medline have come to Grayslake because we have actively recruited. As the only small businessperson on the Village Board, I provide my experience and unique perspective on maintaining a business-friendly government, attracting businesses and retaining businesses.

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

No, I am here for the long haul.

The best advice ever shared with me was:

“Always try” You will never reach your full potential unless you try first.

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

Grayslake is my hometown and am proud of the work I have done while on the Village Board. When I tell people I live in Grayslake, I enjoy hearing them say: “I love Grayslake, you have such a beautiful downtown, the holiday tree lighting and lights are so beautiful. Grayslake is such a great community.” Our namesake lake is where I enjoy spending time, fishing, boating, and bringing my family & scouts.

I don’t expect everyone to agree with all my decisions but I will always do my best to keep

Grayslake a place where so many people want to live.