Park District Candidate Q&A: Lori Flores Weisskopf

Background: The oldest child of immigrant parents, my family settled in Highland Park for the education opportunities. I attended Green Bay Road School, Elm Place Middle School and (HPHS). The first to graduate college in my family, I attended the University if Missouri. I have worked extensively in public relations with the Chicago Bulls and with Procter & Gamble in shareholder relations. As such, I understand the importance of good, honest communication. I am dedicated to bettering our community and am a  District 112 Education Foundation trustee, its public relations chairwoman, on the Family Service Nuestro Center advisory council and funding team, Moraine Township Latino advisory committee and on the Park District of Highland Park's (PDHP) recreation advisory committee. My husband Gene and I have three children – ages 9, 7 and 4. We reside in the Highlands. 

Highland Park Patch: How long have you lived in Highland Park?

Lori Flores Weisskopf: I am a lifelong Highland Park resident. I attended Green Bay Road School, Elm Place Middle School and graduated from HPHS in 1989. After a short stint in Cincinnati, my husband (also a HPHS grad) and I returned to Highland Park to raise our family.

HP Patch: What was your first experience with the Park District board?

Weisskopf: My father worked two jobs in order for us to be able to reside in Highland Park. We did not have funds for the “extras” such as summer camp. I was fortunate enough to receive financial assistance to attend [the] PDHP camp in the late 1970s.

The experience of learning to swim, doing arts and crafts and playing at Sunset Wood Park on the larger-than-life rocket ship remain my fondest childhood memories. As a teen, I returned to the PDHP as a summer camp counselor and now, as a parent, my three children are enrolled in numerous Park District programs, including summer camp. My love for the Park District runs deep.

HP Patch: What do you think the park district's strongest program or facility is?

Weisskopf: The summer camps are clearly the Park District’s strongest programs. Every summer, the programs fill up and serve almost 1,300 children annually. Campers and families enjoy the programs' unique offerings, such as circus camp, nature programs, sports camp, etc. This is evident as some even have a waiting list and residents return year after year even with the many competing private alternatives.

HP Patch: What do you think is its weakest?

Weisskopf: Strictly from a financial standpoint, golf is the weakest program. loses money every year. However, golf is an important activity to many of us. With the impending acquisition of the course and the potential new course at Fort Sheridan, we need to reassess our options and figure out how to provide a high-quality course that is financially successful.

HP Patch: What do you think makes you best qualified to be a park board commissioner?

Weisskopf: I have the unique perspective of being a camper, counselor and parent with the PDHP. Unlike the other candidates, I am not running in response to the pension-spiking scandal.

In the spring of 2010, I decided that I wanted to take an active role in shaping the future of our Park District and decided to run for the park board. It was several months later when the Chicago Tribune broke its story on the pension-spiking scandal. I then began to play a key role in demanding accountability and actively pursued [the] resignations of board members who failed to exercise proper oversight and fiscal responsibility to the taxpayers.

I am in it for the long haul and am not afraid to stand up for what is right for the community. My goal as a board member is to rebuild the community’s trust in our park board, support staff and the wonderful programs the Park District offers, and develop a long-term plan. I believe in our Park District and want to further this great tradition.

HP Patch: The Park District came under fire from the community last August because of the pension scandal. How do you think the board handled that situation? If you were on the board, what would you have done differently?

Weisskopf: I think the board did a poor job handling the situation. First, as a public relations professional, I would have insisted that the park board come out with this news rather than have residents learn of the mistake via a front page newspaper story. And rather than provide details and explanations, the park board stonewalled the community that was simply looking for answers.

It took months for the board to provide any substantial information as to why these outrageous salaries and bonuses were paid. During this time, the community’s anger and disgust grew and grew.

I also would have turned to the board members who were directly involved with the pension-spiking scandal and asked them to resign immediately so the rest of the board could move forward. I understand the importance of direct, timely and honest communication. Unfortunately, the past board did not.

Lastly, as a resident with great community pride, I would not have allowed this outrage to drag on by not giving answers and would have eliminated excuses and stayed with facts.

I am not in accord with the board seeking independent counsel in order to obtain refunds from the pension-spiking agreements. The [Illinois] State’s Attorney is competent and is currently investigating what occurred with our park board. To spend one cent more on what Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund (IMRF) has estimated will already end up costing us over $2 million is fiscally irresponsible. In essence, the board will be using tax money to sue the Park District.

There is a fine line between being proactive and grandstanding. The investigation should be left to the State’s Attorney–with full support from our Park District–and the board should get back to its important duties. 

HP Patch: What can the park board do to ensure something like what happened last summer never happens again?

Weisskopf: The board must do several things. First, it needs to establish public policies on salaries, bonuses and other compensation. Total compensation should be in line with local and national trends for similar positions.

Second, the Park District needs to eliminate employment contracts. It was the employment contracts with [Ralph] Volpe, [Ken] Swan and [David] Harris that led to the pension spiking. But most importantly, the Park District has a strong executive director who provides resources to the board, including legal and financial experts. The board needs to better utilize outside counsel, when necessary.

I would, and will not hesitate to, consult experts to help me understand complex issues when necessary. 

HP Patch: The Park District is the only governing body to lower its tax levy this year. What do you think of that decision?

Weisskopf: I think it was appropriate, but was done not out of a sincere gesture to reduce the tax burden. Rather, it was an outcome of the community anger over the pension scandal. The board was unwilling to risk further community outrage by raising taxes.

I believe we need a true “long-range plan” to determine what the tax levy should be–not merely the whims of public opinion. 

HP Patch: What would you like to see happen with Rosewood Beach?

Weisskopf: I believe we should preserve as much of the natural state of Rosewood Beach as possible. The most recent survey did not specifically mention a large facility. More research needs to be done in order to find out if residents would like a facility. If that can be shown then we should proceed with the plans. Until then, renovations such as public restrooms, walkways, etc. are certainly necessary. For now, “less is more.”

HP Patch: What would you like to see happen with the Fort Sheridan preserves?

Weisskopf: With Highland Park’s interests in mind, I cannot support a golf course at Ft. Sheridan. Golf is a declining sport nationally, with fewer rounds being played year after year. Sunset Valley Golf Course and the Highland Park Country Club lost almost $1 million last year. Adding another golf course will simply divide the golf “pie” into smaller pieces–with even greater losses for Highland Park. As it stands, we need to reassess our options with our own golf course and figure out how to provide a high-quality course that is financially successful. 

HP Patch: Some candidates for City Council and mayor have suggested consolidating services between the Park District and the city. How can the city and Park District work together? How often do you think they should?

Weisskopf: Currently the Park District and the city utilize a number of strategies to lower costs. Wherever logical–bulk purchasing, common service contracts, etc.–this should be done.

However, full consolidation is a huge undertaking that has numerous legal and financial ramifications. For example, the boundaries of the City of Highland Park and the PDHP are not the same. The legal costs of consolidation may consume whatever savings there may be. But there is no reason we cannot work together as much as possible as we serve the same citizens.