One Orland Party Candidate: Amy Burrell

ORLAND PARK, IL — Meet Amy Burrell, the Village Trustee candidate running with the One Orland Party in the April 2021 Consolidated Elections. The election is April 6.

Burrell recently filled out the Patch candidate survey, and her answers can be found below.

If you are a candidate for the April election, and would like to answer our Patch candidate questionnaire, please email yasmeen.sheikah@patch.com.

Amy Burrell

Age (as of Election Day)

27

Town/City of Residence

Orland Park

Office Sought

Village board or city council

Party Affiliation (if a partisan race)

One Orland Party

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government?

No

Education

Bachelor’s Degree in Animal Sciences from the University of Illinois

Occupation

Research Technologist, 4 years experience

Campaign website

www.oneorland.com

Previous or Current Elected or Appointed Office

N/A

The single most pressing issue facing our (board, district, etc.) is _______, and this is what I intend to do about it.

The single most pressing issue facing our community is the lack of representation at the village level, which is why I want to inspire more people in my community to get involved with their local government. Orland Park is a diverse town; however, our current elected officials consist of six men and two women (one of whom is retiring). In a village where 51.6% of the population is female (1), why does the village board only reflect 25% women? I also believe that the younger generation should be investing in their community because we deserve a say in how our community is run. I feel getting individuals less than 30-years-old interested in what happens at the local level would only help our community grow, especially as we will be the leaders one day—why not start now?
(1):https://www.census.gov/quickfa...

Do you support Black Lives Matter and what are your thoughts on the demonstrations held since the death of George Floyd and the shooting of Jacob Blake?

I believe Black Lives Matter and support the peaceful demonstrations held since the deaths of George Floyd and Breonna Taylor, and the shooting of Jacob Blake. I recognize that even in the most warm and welcoming communities, inequality and systemic racism still exist. I believe through education, open dialogue, and the support of local programs—like the library’s antiracism book club, for example—that Orland Park can overcome this division and bias in our community and have a no tolerance policy for hate.

Do you think the current board has done enough to support racial equality, and if not, what specifically should be done to do so?

Unfortunately, I do not feel as though the current board has done enough to support racial equality, especially in our community. I have heard from many community members that feel they are treated differently or unfairly based on the color of their skin and do not feel these concerns will be addressed by the current village leadership. My plan to make those voices heard would include having an open-door policy to hear from the community and working through inclusive roundtables with citizens of Orland Park to find lasting solutions that address inequality in our village.

What are your thoughts on the national and local coronavirus response? Do you favor measures such as limiting operation of non-essential businesses and restricting indoor/outdoor dining? And do you favor a local mask mandate?

I support any and all responses that put the safety of Orland Park residents first. Unfortunately, I feel the national response to coronavirus mirrors the situation of our village; we have elected officials undermining the severity of this pandemic and creating confusion among the community due to widespread misinformation.

I do support a local mask mandate, and feel instituting such a plan would allow for the community to return to a sense of “normalcy” quicker, as mask-wearing and social distancing is proven to prevent the spread of the virus. We also should ensure our response helps keep businesses afloat during this crisis, and I support outdoor dining options in addition to local programs supporting Orland Park businesses.

What are your thoughts on the state and local coronavirus vaccine distribution, and how do you think local governments should work together to handle vaccine rollout?

I believe the most efficient way to distribute vaccines to the community would be by mass vaccination events, where local areas—such as banquet halls or concert venues—could be converted to facilitate this delivery. Local governments should be supporting each other and stay in constant communication about issues like extra vaccines and ways that our whole community, state, and nation will benefit from the successful vaccination of our population.

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

As a 27-year-old woman, I bring a fresh perspective to the community that isn't represented by our current leadership. I'd like to be a voice for younger members of our community who are starting their families and looking toward the future.

Describe the other issues that define your campaign platform

The One Orland team is also working to ensure the safety of our community, especially during this pandemic, and additionally we are prioritizing getting our economy back on track by diversifying our economy and supporting local businesses. I personally am passionate about caring for and maximizing Orland Park’s green spaces and creating sustainable solutions and systems to support Orland Park’s growth in the future.

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

As a woman working in a male-dominated industry, I understand the nuances of being the only female in a room full of men, and I am not intimidated by this. The stress and pressures that come from working in the research field have given me the skills to work with others to find effective solutions quickly. I have also learned how to manage others with differing opinions to come to a common consensus with a view toward getting things done. As a fast learner, it was imperative that I develop the skills and techniques necessary to perform my job, demonstrated to
me by my mentors and colleagues, which will prepare me for the role as an elected official. I thought carefully about the team I would run with and am lucky to have many experienced leaders to partner with to bring new ideas to the village.

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

I would mark my term in office as a success by seeing more involvement from the younger generation, whether by inspiring more individuals to run for local offices or seeing a higher turnout at election time. Further, I am focused on how we can grow our economy and develop Orland Park’s down spaces so families new and old to
Orland Park can have fun and safe options for spending time. Finally, I’ll know I have done my job if our slate earns the trust of voters through transparency and constant dialogue.

Why should voters trust you?

Voters should trust me because I have no other special interests besides the betterment of our community. I have been fortunate to have this opportunity to run on the One Orland Party, and—like the rest of my slate—we truly care about our diverse community and want to move forward together in creating a united village.

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

It is my firm belief that taxpayer dollars should be spent on services and programs that directly benefit the taxpayer. Whether in physical assets, new infrastructure, or local programs, the people of Orland Park deserve absolute transparency regarding where their money goes and how the city is making money elsewhere.

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

No.

The best advice ever shared with me was:

Today is a good day for a good day.
When facing adversity, like many in this community are, this advice to me means that every day you’re presented with the opportunity to take a step forward to make a change.

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

I really care about our community and will work very hard to represent all voices in our town. Youth has its advantages and my goal is to involve more of our residents to gauge what will keep them here in Orland Park, what will motivate them to get more involved, and how they see a “Village of Tomorrow” evolving so as to attract business, culture, and services conducive to economic and personal growth for each and every resident. Many of our Village’s best and brightest are already here or grew up here, so we must create opportunities to engage and keep them invested in their community to nurture growth together in our village.

Like what you're reading? Invite a friend to subscribe to free Orland Park Patch newsletters and real-time email alerts.