Ken McClafferty: Candidate For Lemont Village Trustee

LEMONT, IL — The consolidated election, which features several local races, will be held on April 1, with early voting starting on March 17. As a way to help keep voters informed, Patch offers candidate questionnaires for all candidates in local races.

One of those races in Lemont is the race for Village Trustee. There are five candidates running for three 4-year terms.

One of those candidates is Ken McClafferty, who is an incumbent who has served on the Board since April 2017. McClafferty recently filled out the Patch candidate questionnaire, and his answers can be found below:

(If you are a candidate in the upcoming April 1 election, please email andrea.earnest@patch.com for a candidate questionnaire to share your positions with readers)

Your name:

Ken McClafferty

Campaign Website/Facebook:

Party of Lemont

Office sought:

Village board

Town/City of Residence:

Lemont resident for over 25 years

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government? This includes any relatives who work in the government you're running for.

No

Occupation. Please include years of experience.

Owner Shorlan Group LLC, Specializing in General Contracting and Custom Home Builder

Previous or Current Elected or Appointed Office:

Currently serving my second term as Village Trustee

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

With a revitalized downtown, we are working to enhance downtown parking and reduce truck traffic throughout the town. With the implementation of our strategic plan, we expect a resolution to the parking demand.

If you are a challenger, what would you bring to the board or plan to change?

As a current Village Trustee, I bring experience and a proven track record.

Describe the other issues that define your campaign platform:

I pledge to stay focused on the long term goals that we set out by continuing to attract first-rate businesses and stay committed to providing superior services in all our departments.
We continue to work on preserving our historic downtown district and enhance existing buildings through our facade grant program.

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

Lemont was at a very different place eight years ago, We had lawsuits with Cook County. In addition, we had large tracts of lands de-annexed from Lemont. We had over 60% vacancy rate in our downtown district. We had large vacant parcels uptown like Chipain's and the bowling alley. Our residents had very limited options with dining and shopping. Along with the Mayor, I worked hand in hand in implementing his TEN POINT DEVELOPMENT PLAN. This was a huge task that we’ve been working very hard to accomplish.

Why should voters trust you?

I work tirelessly behind the scenes to support the Mayor’s vision ~ attending Monday night board meetings is the easy part. Over the past eight years I have been a strong advocate for Lemont, making countless trips to Springfield and Cook County offices to address the issues at hand. I have collaborated with the MWRD elected official to navigate regulatory challenges for our bike bridge over the I&M canal. I worked with the toll authority to secure better sound solutions along I-355, among many other efforts.

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

Implementing the Mayor’s long term vision will be a success, as well as enhancing downtown parking, reducing truck traffic throughout Lemont, and supporting existing businesses while attracting new investments.

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

Our budgeting policies over the past eight years have created a fiscally sound village. Our restructuring of municipal departments has resulted in a highly efficient Village Hall. With a healthy budget balance, we can now reinvest in our Police and Public Works departments. Through diligent efforts, we have aggressively pursued and secured significant grants for major projects across town, obtaining millions of dollars in county, state, and federal funding. These additional funds translate into substantial savings for our residents. Our award-winning financial department continues to increase reserves while reducing our pension liabilities, further enhancing Lemont’s financial stability.

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?

This year, Lemont was ranked the 16th safest town in the state of Illinois. The Lemont Police Department works hard in keeping us safe. We continue to invest in our Police force. Over the past few years, we installed LPR cameras in the outskirts of town. We implemented body cameras for our officers. Recently, we hired several new police officers recently and are very proud of the recognition the Police Department has received.

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

I believe we have done a good job implementing a smart growth/community development approach. In our downtown district, we needed daytime shoppers and a lunch trade. Adding a high quality residential building helps us preserve our historical district. We want to bring professionals and families alike to enjoy our historical town. Adding residential development to our eastern outskirts that was previously in Palos Park, helped increase patronage in our uptown commercial district. We continue to work in sync with our school district to make sure we meet their population goals while also working to grow a tax base so it’s a lesser impact for the existing residents.

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 have an opportunity to be selective about the quality of development we allow in town. We are committed to enhancing accessibility and safety for pedestrians and cyclists throughout the entire community. New developments along 127th street and 131st street continue to incorporate bike trails and walking paths, reinforcing our vision for a more connected and accessible village. However, growth alone is not enough, we must grow strategically, working hand in hand with our schools and park district to ensure a well-planned and cohesive future.

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

No

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

I want to thank the residents of Lemont for the opportunity to serve as village trustee and if I’m fortunate enough to serve another term, I will continue to do my best to ensure Lemont is “the best place to live.”

Lemont Election Guide 2025: What’s On The Ballot, What To Know

Here are the candidates for Lemont Village Trustee:

• Village Trustee (vote for three)
  • Ken McClafferty
  • Kevin Shaughnessy
  • Samuel Forzley
  • Dave Maher
  • Mark Pawlak