Election 2025: Mokena Village Trustee Candidate Josh Bailey

MOKENA, IL — The consolidated election is set for April 1, and Mokena will come out of it with some new faces on the Village Board.

Two candidates are running for one unexpired term, and seven are running for trustee seats. One seat is unexpired, with two running for it. Five others are running for three, four-year seats.

The policy-making branch of the Village of Mokena includes the Village President (Mayor) and a six-person Board of Trustees. Officials are elected at large for staggered, four-year terms.

Current Mayor Frank Fleischer leads his Mokena's Future slate, with trustee candidates Nick Clancy (candidate for the unexpired term), Kimberly Huelsman, and James Roberts.

Mayoral challenger and sitting Trustee George Metanias runs with his Friends of Mokena slate, with trustee candidates Daniel Gilbert, Colleen Patrick-Lenart (candidate for the unexpired term), Melissa Fedora (incumbent) and Josh Bailey. Incumbent Village Clerk Melissa Martini also joins their ticket.

Patch has provided a questionnaire to candidates, and we're now featuring their answers in candidate profiles.

Candidate:

Josh Bailey

Position sought:

Mokena Village Trustee

Campaign website:

https://friendsofmokena.com/

Town of residence:

Mokena

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.

Finance, 20 years

Previous or current elected or appointed office:

None

The most pressing issues facing Mokena are _______, and this is what I intend to do about them.

The most pressing issues facing our village are the need to revitalize the downtown and continue to attract the right type of business to Mokena, to reduce the tax burden on residents. As trustee, I intend to figure out how to say "yes" to development that aligns with the comprehensive plan the Friends of Mokena are putting forward, while remaining thoughtful about quality of life for our residents. I intend to advocate for our community from the perspective of both a resident and an elected official.

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

The other candidates seeking the position do not have near the community, business or operating experience of the Friends of Mokena team. Personally, I have been involved in personal and commercial finance and development for more than 20 years. I've been a member of the Economic Development Committee, for 2 years and have volunteered as a youth coach in Mokena for 6 years. The rest of our slate have been board members, business owners, trustees and have volunteered for decades. Experience is the critical difference.

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

It is evident how the current mayor has failed the community. The downtown has not progressed since his original election in 2013, we've lost opportunities and the businesses who've come in have done so due to the efforts of the board and the various committees. It is time for a fresh perspective. As trustee, I am deeply committed to seeing progress and revitalization in our downtown area, and new development in our other commercial corridors.

Describe the other issues that define your campaign platform.

Residents are very concerned with property taxes. This is an issue that impacts all of Illinois, not just Mokena. The best way to combat rising taxes for residents is to encourage thoughtful development to build the tax base, keeping costs for residents as low as possible. But it's not just about taxes - new business means new stores, restaurants and services for our residents to enjoy. The right type of development means enhanced quality of life for our residents, which, as a resident, is very important. I also believe improving community safety is a big issue. Mokena is a very safe community, but I believe more can be done to allow our first responders to be able to do their jobs more efficiently and effectively.

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

I'm not a big fan of listing accomplishments, because I believe career and personal development are lifelong pursuits. I believe my professional experience and track record, my volunteer work with various charities and community groups and my reputation are the best evidence for my ability to handle the very important work as a trustee. That said, I've spent more than two decades working with businesses on development, both residential and commercial - with development as the center of this election, I believe that experience is relevant.

Why should voters trust you?

I believe trust is earned, not just given. I look forward to earning the trust of the residents of Mokena over my term by delivering on what we've committed to during this election. I would also add my professional background has required a certain level of trust and integrity, which I think supports my reputation. Inclusion with the Friends of Mokena team also requires a high level of trust, which also speaks to the point.

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

New development in the downtown district and establishing the groundwork for future development, as well as changing Mokena's reputation to "business friendly" would make my term a success. More importantly, improving the quality of life for our residents - by helping keep the community safe, vibrant and progressing - would be the greatest success any trustee could hope for.

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

I'm a resident - just like all my neighbors and friends, I have a vested interest in keeping costs low in Mokena. Government is supposed to be a steward of the money it has collected, which needs to benefit taxpayers. While the village takes an extremely small slice of the property taxes paid by residents, it's our job to ensure we're maximizing those dollars. Friends of Mokena have paid for road replacement, a new police station and a new wastewater treatment facility without new taxes. That's concrete evidence of their fiscal prudence, which I'm happy to support and continue as trustee.

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?

Mokena is a safe community, but as trustee, I would look to work with the police department to figure out ways to make their jobs more efficient and effective. Making sure policies are as "common sense" and modern as possible should go a long way to make improvements to community safety, both for officers and citizens.

What is your view of the city's approach to commercial and residential development? What would you change (if anything)?

As trustee, I will figure out ways to say "yes" to thoughtful development which fits the comprehensive place the Friends of Mokena have put forth. This includes thinking about development from multiple perspectives - as a resident, as a businessman and as an official. Traffic, impact on utilities, aesthetics, all angles need to be considered when looking at new businesses for Mokena. The current approach is cumbersome and confusing, but as trustee, I will work to increase transparency to allow the village and the business owners and developers to work on what matters, not navigating the bureaucracy.

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?

Revitalization of the downtown district and relevant development of the remaining commercial corridors, while maintaining quality of life (i.e. traffic flow, noise, light pollution, etc.) are the things that I feel are most wanted by residents. A new pro-business mayor and a board with experience is what is needed to make this happen.

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

No - if elected, I will remain committed through my entire term.

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

My reputation is easy to review - voters can rest assured I am a man of my word and I intend to work diligently on what we stand for. I'm not running because of an ego or because of some want for influence, I simply want to use what abilities I've been blessed with to benefit our community.