Renee Kosel Tries Applying Human factor to Decisions

Although state Rep. Renée Kosel (R-New Lenox) has witnessed in the past few decades the evolution of a region that has shifted from a small town atmosphere to one that looks and feels every bit like a metropolitan suburb, she says it's the human factor that characterizes the heart of her legislative decisions on the economy, budget, quality of life and growth opportunities.

Kosel works in the Illinois General Assembly to serve the communities of New Lenox, Mokena, Homer Glen, Frankfort and Homer Township along with parts of Orland Park, Tinley Park and Joliet.

The General Assembly endures a lot of criticism, both fair and unfair, Kosel said. There's a lot of pressure from interest groups, political entities, partisan politics, corporations and small business, schools, non-profit services, health care organizations and more. Each comes to the table with ideas to promote a particular cause.

"I keep in mind that it's about people, the ones who elected me, and what's best for the district," Kosel said. "That's not always been easy. Sometimes you have to stand alone in a crowd (of your peers even) and vote your conscience."

Despite their political differences, Kosel said she has often reflected on the sage advice and example of the late U.S. Rep. George Sangmeister (D-Mokena).

"He understood his communities, their needs and he stood on their behalf." 

Kosel likens the pressures she faces in the General Assembly to the kind of juggling act that marks the lives of families, community groups, schools and businesses in the 81st Legislative District she represents. Few significant decisions at home or in the larger arena are made without weighing the pros and cons of an issue, evaluating the immediate and long-term outcomes and attempting to grapple with the ripple effects, she said. It's the same process that plays out on athletic booster boards, youth group committees and parent-teacher organizations. There are always matters competing for priority or consideration.        

"Any time you give your talents to other people, you become a better person and you grow," she said.

With that in mind, Kosel said she has become an outspoken advocate for citizen participation in the community. It's at the local level — when parents are involved with their children's sports, music, Boy Scout and Girl Scout troops, schools and church groups — that decision-making abilities evolve and develop beyond an individual's particular scope of interests.  

A personal investment of time and energy leads to the enhancement of programs that benefit others. And from a personal standpoint, it lends an opportunity for creativity and utilization of various skills, whether it be business or computers expertise, fundraising projects, sales, transportation or chaperoning.

These are the seeds of leadership, Kosel said. "It forces you to step out of your comfort zone. If you don't, then you risk shrinking and losing your inner strengths."

Admittedly, Kosel said, volunteer activities are what assuaged her feeling of being "an outsider" when she moved to the southwest suburbs in the late '60s and in 1976 to New Lenox. Kosel got involved and steeped herself in the community. She was elected in the early '80s to the Lincoln-Way High School District 210 Board of Education, where she served a total of 13 years; in 1985-87 she served as board president.

Her list of local, statewide and national group associations is enough to fill a page. At the top is noted the fact that she is serving her fourth term as House Republican Assistant Leader under Rep. Tom Cross (R-Oswego).

District 210 spokeswoman Stacy Holland lauded Kosel's commitment to leadership.

"She doesn't shy away from it," Holland said. "She was the president of the board of education when I came on board in 1986. She works for the schools and the community."

According to Kosel, education and a willingness to commit to a project or program becomes the cornerstone of success. A member of the House Elementary and Secondary Education committees, she said education is more than the three Rs — reading, 'riting and 'rithmetic — "education is where critical thinking skills come about."

From a regional perspective, Kosel has worked closely with Governors State University in University Park. Having collaborated with the representative on a series of funding, education and training issues, GSU President Elaine Maimon referred to Kosel as "a dedicated public servant who supports public higher education in general and GSU in particular."

Being elected to the Illinois House came about only after years of volunteer activities, she added. The position was no overnight decision. It came developed. It was built through one-on-one interactions, compassion and a desire to promote the common good.

One of Kosel's favorite leadership-building organizations is called the Lincoln Series, a group administered for Republican women interested in pursuing political aspirations. And Democratic women support the Illinois Women's Institute for Leadership. These organizations are designed to encourage women to step up to the plate and become involved in the political process. They offer seminars, shadowing opportunities and more. The graduates of these kinds of programs, which are facilitated at both the state and national level, learn to set aside some of the gender-based obstacles that girls are taught when they're young.

"We were taught that it wasn't lady-like to boast, but for men, it was OK," Kosel said. Today women in leadership understand that projects move forward better and faster if they voice their opinion and bring their talents to the forefront.  The social stigmas of the past are fading, she added.    

"Women, I think, need to help each other more," Kosel continued. "Men brag about each other's (talents.) We don't support or uplift each other enough."    

A featured guest a few years ago at a event recognizing Women in History Month, Kosel has been likened to Eleanor Roosevelt, whose 1936 rules for women in a leadership demanded excellence, confidence and a balance between family and business. The idea of striking a balance between family and job is no longer a diminutive statement, said Gina Proulx, president of JJC.

That conflict was highlighted by newly elected Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel when he revealed in 2008 the challenges and difficulties that his role in President Obama's administration would have on his family.

Proulx said Kosel is an example of how women now bring themselves fully and confidently into the role of leadership.

In the 1960s and '70s, women fought for equality, which frequently meant that they had to mirror a stereotypical version of a man's business demeanor. The fight-mentality that moved women's rights proponents in the past has come of age. No longer is it necessary to adopt a Muhammad Ali stance in the ring of business or political action.  

Instead, Proulx said Kosel has managed to join dignity, compassion, effective analysis and duty.

In Springfield, Kosel said she focuses on actions that help improve all aspects of the community. A chief proponent of the Interstate 355 Tollway extension to Interstate 80, Kosel said it worked to make business travel easier and opened the door for industrial and commercial expansion. Naturally, it also made family travel easier to the northwest suburbs and Chicago. The intention is the same as it pertains to the widening projects along U.S. 30.

Kosel said she now is working with her colleagues to strengthen Illinois' economic outlook.