Carla Carter, La Grange Trustee Candidate

LA GRANGE, IL – Carla Carter is one of four candidates for three seats on the La Grange Village Board.

Here are her responses to the Patch questionnaire:

Name:

Carla Carter

Town of residence:

La Grange, Illinois

Age:

No answer

Campaign contact email:

carlaforlagrange@gmail.com

Family:

Married to Stephen Carter, 3 kids (18, 16, and 14yo)

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government?

No. My husband, Stephen B. Carter is a retired Firefighter/Paramedic who worked for the Orland Fire Protection District.

Education:

B.S. in Biochemistry, J.D.

Occupation:

Lawyer and p/t Pilates instructor

Previous or current elected or appointed office:

This is my first time running for office. However, I am a member of the La Grange Business Association, La Grange Neighbors and Newcomers, and Citizens' Council of La Grange, so I’ve had my finger on the pulse of La Grange for quite some time.

The single most pressing issue facing the village is _______, and this is what I intend to do about it.

How can we bring revitalization and diversification to La Grange’s business districts is the biggest issue the Village faces. Our business districts (yes, we have more than one – four actually) are the backbone of our community. We need to take measures to attract new and exciting businesses (like a wine bar or piano bar) for residents and visitors of all ages to enjoy our town. Right now, our surrounding communities are taking steps to amend their regulations to bring diverse businesses to their communities. Our streets are empty after 9 pm, while surrounding downtowns are flourishing after dark. Strong business districts provide energy for a dynamic community.

We also must do a better job of managing all of our business districts. Revitalization of the district between 47th and 55th street would add so much value to our community. Similarly, the west end of town with the new slated development needs our attention.

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

I am a creative thinker and problem solver. The issues the Village is facing are not new, but we need new ideas on how to solve them. We cannot continue to do the same thing, and the Board has been slow to even consider change. This is problematic when our neighboring communities are taking steps to progress and attract businesses that would be great additions to our community. We need new ideas and a new set of eyes to solve
these problems.

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

I am an accomplished attorney, having received multiple awards for my legal work. I have also owned my own law firm for over 17 years so I have considerable experience regarding business, finance, and the law. Please visit my website (www.carlaforlagrange.com) to read more about my experience.

Are the village government's taxes too high, too low or just about right? Explain.

Our taxes are high. Many residents question the value of services we are getting for the taxes we pay. Increasing revenue from other sources, like new businesses, could work to bring more balance to this issue and allow the Village to offer more services to its residents.

What is your view of the village's maintenance of its infrastructure?

The Village’s maintenance of its infrastructure is generally good but I see room for improvement. Most importantly, the ongoing flooding issues have still not been resolved so sewer and water infrastructure should always be on the table for discussion. Our streets and sidewalks need improved maintenance as well. In the past, we did a better job of keeping the sidewalks cleaned and the potholes repaired.

What is your assessment of the police department's performance?

Our police and fire departments do a tremendous job of serving our community. As the wife of a retired firefighter/paramedic, I have great respect and admiration for those that keep us safe. We should support them and all they do for us.

The number of traffic tickets has plunged over the years in La Grange. What is your view of that situation?

Our police need to be empowered to issue more citations, especially as it relates to semi-truck traffic on La Grange Road. However, the tickets are not the sole gauge of effectiveness in policing. I appreciate the targeted enforcement events the LGPD has conducted near schools and hope to see more in the future.

What type of buildings should be allowed in downtown La Grange? Taller buildings?

There is no one size fits all answer to this question. Every opportunity should be explored. However, transparency and community engagement are non-negotiable. Our Board needs to listen to residents when considering building plans. I live on the west end of the town and many residents felt unheard and ignored when voicing their concerns about the large, planned development on Hillgrove. I think the current board missed an opportunity to work with the community to find a solution that worked for everyone.

How do you rate La Grange's handling of stormwater problems? Explain.

There has been significant progress on this issue, in great part due to DryUp La Grange and Glenn Thompson bringing political pressure on Village leadership. One area that I would like to work with Glenn and the Village on improving is communication. We need more communication from the Village on what is being done and what programs are available to assist residents in need. For instance, it has been a long time since we received an update on the court case against quarry owners, Hanson Aggregates (now Heidelberg Materials).

Should the village allow video gambling or recreational marijuana sales in town? Why or why not?

Both issues should be addressed in community forums with input from residents. While I am not in favor of gambling or marijuana sales, I would need to hear from residents about what they want before a future vote on these issues.

Should the village president and trustees take political contributions from village contractors or those with zoning or other matters before the board? Why or why not?

Absolutely not. The Village President and Trustees should never take contributions from contractors or people with matters before the Village. This can create a conflict of interest.

As officials, we should uphold the highest standards. Any activity that creates even the appearance of impropriety should be avoided. The public needs to trust their officials to always put their interest first, and the public cannot do that if there is any appearance of impropriety.

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

I intend to serve the entire term of office if elected. My family loves La Grange, and we intend to make La Grange our home for many years to come.

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

I believe in transparency and will always have an open door. We need input from all sources and should respect everyone’s opinion, even those we disagree with. As I talk to residents, there is an overarching theme that they are not being heard. I want to change
that.

I entered this race to bring new and exciting opportunities to our community. This requires creative thinking and listening. I’m ready to do both.

Lastly, I want to encourage all residents to consider voting early this year. Our April 1, 2025 election falls squarely in the middle of spring break for our schools. Vote early if you plan to be out of town.