Election 2025: Oak Forest Mayoral Candidate Donald Guisinger

OAK FOREST, IL — The consolidated election is set for April 1, and Oak Forest will come out of it with a new mayor for the first time in nearly two decades.

First elected in 2009, current Mayor Hank Kuspa is not seeking re-election. Three candidates are vying for his spot: Donald Guisinger, James Hortsman, and Ken Keeler.

Patch has provided a candidate questionnaire for all three, and we're now featuring their answers in candidate profiles.

Early voting begins March 17.

Candidate:

Donald Guisinger

Campaign website:

https://www.guisinger4mayor.com/

Town of residence:

Oak Forest

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

My wife is an Assistant Principal in School District 151.

Occupation. Please include years of experience.

Manager - Travel Seller Media Customer Delivery at Amadeus. 9 years in this role

Previous or current elected or appointed office:

Orland Park Open Lands Commission - 2020 - 2022

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

Economic Development: To ensure our local economy grows and thrives, we need to attract new businesses. The best tool in our toolbox for this is our economic development department. Currently, this department is staffed by one person who is excellent at their job, but the city has overloaded their to-do list. We need to fully staff this department and begin marketing the city-owned properties along Cicero and 159th Street for redevelopment. As they currently sit, these parcels do not generate any property tax revenue. Since they are zoned commercial, they have the potential to drive not only property tax revenue but also sales tax revenue. This would be mission number one.

In order to attract new businesses and new residents, we also have to clean up our main streets. Most of our busiest roads are county or state-maintained, but the trash that litters the sides of the roads is our problem. We need to have crews working to clean the messes along 159th, Cicero, and 167th Streets. We also need to invest in improving the streetscapes and landscapes along our main streets. The city also needs to have pride of ownership, and leaving trash to accumulate along fences doesn't show pride.

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

I'm not a currently serving politician in the city of Oak Forest. I have no vested interest in maintaining the status quo. My vision is to see this city grow into a vibrant and thriving community. I'm running because I believe we're on the wrong path, and because I’m invested in this city I want to put us on the right path so the next generation can feel safe and confident in starting their families here. I bring fresh ideas and a new perspective to the issues facing this city.

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

My opponents are perfectly fine with the status quo, and that's exactly what they're running on! However, they have continually turned a blind eye to the everyday issues facing our community. Businesses are closing, we lack family-friendly community events, our fire department equipment is failing, our streets are in disrepair, and our population has declined by 4.6% in the last three years. Yet, there's not a peep from the current officeholders about how to address these critical issues. The city has so much potential. We just need people with vision in place to fulfill that potential.

Describe the other issues that define your campaign platform.

I have two other issues that define my platform: public safety and community development

Public safety: The vital infrastructure in Oak Forest is failing. Our fire department desperately needs new fire trucks and equipment. At one point in the summer of 2024, our main fire house was filled with loaned trucks from neighboring communities because ours were out of service for repairs. The average vehicle age in our fleet is 12 years. The NFPA suggests a front-line vehicle should be in service for 10 years. Without a replacement plan, we're destined to continue to have equipment failures, and we'll continue to be reliant on the kindness of our neighbors to fight fires in Oak Forest.

This is not an easy problem to fix as it requires a significant investment in money, and then we have to wait 4 years for new vehicles to be delivered. However, as the cost of firefighting equipment continues to rise (27.8% increase from 2022 to 2024), we can hardly afford to wait any longer. Money can be reallocated within the current budget, and we will probably have to look at issuing bonds to finance the new equipment. If we don't, we risk public safety. My opponents have been serving on the city council for a combined 14 years, but they have failed to tackle this crucial issue.

Community Development: According to the US Census Bureau, the population of Oak Forest has gone down by 4.6% in the last three years. Our average age is going up, and now the median age of our residents is 40.5. We need to stop the population decline and make our city more attractive to younger people, especially young families. The housing crisis is affecting everyone, but Oak Forest is really struggling.

I propose we start a down payment assistance program for first-time homebuyers. Here's my plan: There is an existing program called Downpayment Plus, run by FHLBank Chicago, that local banks and credit unions can use. My program would partner with these financial institutions. If a local bank or credit union gives a mortgage for a home in Oak Forest, they would get a $1,000 grant from the city to help with the customer's down payment.

Here's how I'd pay for it: Right now, we spend about $500,000 on a facade improvement program. This program is not used much, so most of the money goes back to the city's general fund at the end of the year. Instead of spending $500,000 on the facade program, let's split it in half. Half goes to the facade program, and the other half goes to the down payment grant program. This way, we don't increase our budget, and we get new families in the city. The local banks and credit unions also get to write more mortgages, which is a win-win-win situation.

Community development is more than just homes. It’s about growing connections with each other. We can do that with community events. However, we have a lack of family-friendly community events in Oak Forest. The fun things create a community, and our city needs more fun things to do.

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

In my career, I have consistently demonstrated my ability to handle high-level responsibilities and drive organizational success. I have held director-level positions where I managed both staff and budgets effectively. My educational background includes an MBA from Western Governors University, which has equipped me with a solid foundation in business management and strategic thinking.

Additionally, I have a history of organizational leadership, having served on boards of various non-profit organizations. This has further honed my skills in governance and public administration. My experience serving such as the Orland Park Open Lands Commission, showcases my commitment to community service and my ability to work collaboratively with diverse stakeholders.

I bring a business mindset to the table, which I believe is crucial for driving efficiency and innovation. My track record of managing teams and resources, combined with my strategic vision, positions me well to contribute significantly to our city's growth and development.

Why should voters trust you?

Voters should trust me because I am dedicated to working hard to accomplish the goals I have outlined. I am fully committed to serving the people of Oak Forest to the best of my abilities. My fresh perspective means I am not tied to the "good ol' boys club" or beholden to the way things have always been done. I don't owe anyone favors. This allows me to bring new ideas to our community with a no strings attached approach. This also allows me to surround myself with qualified people who have the best interests of the citizens in mind, instead of rewarding my friends or whoever is “next in line”.

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

Securing redevelopment agreements for at least two of the vacant city-owned properties on Cicero Avenue would be a significant achievement. Cicero Avenue is our central business district, and having empty lots in such a vital part of town is detrimental to our city's image. This area holds immense potential, and we must be proactive in seizing the opportunities it presents. By revitalizing these properties, we can enhance the vibrancy and economic vitality of our central business district, making it a more attractive destination for businesses and residents alike.

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

I believe in a fiscally responsible approach to managing tax dollars. Like many of our residents, I understand the burden of high taxes and I am committed to keeping property taxes in check. Instead, our focus should be on attracting businesses that can contribute to our general fund revenue through sales tax. While we may not be able to rely as heavily on sales tax as some neighboring areas like Orland Park or Tinley Park, we can still make significant strides by expanding our commercial base. By doing so, we can keep the property tax levy in check and ensure a balanced and sustainable budget that supports our community's needs without overburdening our residents.

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?

When you look at the statistics, Oak Forest is generally very safe. However, there are some areas with higher crime rates than others. I believe we need more patrols by our police department. I would like to see a more active police presence throughout the neighborhoods. Increased patrols are an effective tactic that pays dividends. A study from the US DOJ in 1985 shows that visible patrols are effective crime deterrents. Having a visible police presence can help deter crime and reduce crime rates by 20%. It also builds public trust in the police department.

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

The city’s current approach to commercial development can be summed up by one word: lackluster. When you want to see where priorities lie, you need to check where the money is being spent. Our current economic development department consists of one staff member. The city has not, and currently does not, fund economic development as if it were a real priority. We need to fully staff this department. The staff would be tasked with building connections with developers and marketing our vacant city-owned properties. We just can’t keep asking one person to do it all.

I believe our city's approach to commercial and residential development should be strategic and balanced. As I mentioned earlier, attracting businesses is crucial for generating sales tax revenue and keeping property taxes low. By growing our commercial base, we can ensure a stable financial foundation for our community without overburdening residents with high property taxes.

In terms of residential development, it's important to create safe and vibrant neighborhoods. Increasing police patrols and maintaining a visible presence can help deter crime and build public trust, as studies have shown. This, in turn, makes our city more attractive to both residents and businesses.

Additionally, we need to make our city more affordable for our families. By offering a high quality of life, safe neighborhoods, and a thriving commercial sector, we can draw in new families and individuals who will contribute to our community's growth and vitality.

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?

When it comes to development, residents are looking for more than just repair shops, bars, and gaming establishments. They want businesses that bring fun and excitement to the community. Since Oak Forest Bowl burned down, there has been a noticeable lack of recreational options outside of the park district. Our city needs a place where families and individuals can enjoy leisure activities and have fun.

To address this need, I would like to find a business that can fill this gap. By bringing in a place where everyone can have a good time, we can create a vibrant and engaging environment that appeals to both current residents and potential new ones. This will not only enhance the quality of life in our city but also make it a more attractive place to live and to visit.

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

I am fully committed to serving my full term of office. I have a strong dedication to my responsibilities and a deep passion for making a positive impact in our community. I have no foreseeable reasons that would prevent me from fulfilling my duties throughout my term.

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

Allow me to introduce myself. I was born and raised in northeast Ohio and graduated with my undergraduate degree from the University of Akron in 2005. In 2020, I earned my MBA from Western Governors University. I moved to Illinois in 2012, where I met my lovely wife, Angie. We were married in 2019 and moved to Oak Forest in 2022.

I'm a proud father of a wonderful daughter who attends Arbor Park. I am also a stepfather to two amazing district 228 graduates (aged 28 and 19). In my free time, I enjoy running, playing golf, and traveling. I'm also actively involved in my church.

I encourage you to reach out if you have any questions about my positions or if you have ideas on how to make Oak Forest an even better place to live.