Jennifer Hughes For Oswego Trustee: Candidate Survey

OSWEGO, IL — Four trustee seats on the Village Board are up for grabs in Oswego's consolidated election in April.

The terms for seats currently held by trustees Tom Guist, Kit Kuhrt, Jennifer Jones Sinnott and Karen Novy are expiring. The former three positions will be for four-year terms, while Novy's seat, filled after an unexpected vacancy in 2023, will be for a two-year term.

To fill the four-year term, voters will choose between Democrats Rachelle Koenig, James Cooper, Karen Novy and Republicans Jennifer Jones Sinnott, Jim Marter II and Terry Olson. Democrat Jennifer Hughes and Republican Lori West are vying for the available two-year seat.

RELATED: Oswego 2025 Consolidated Election: See Who Filed For Trustee Positions

Patch sent surveys to Oswego candidates ahead of the election. Responses will be published as they're received. Take a look at Hughes's answers below:

Your name: Jennifer Hughes

Office sought: Village Board

Campaign website: www.facebook.com/JenniferHughesforOswegoTrustee

Town of residence: Oswego

Party affiliation (if partisan race): Democratic Party

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government? This includes any relatives who work in the government you're running for. I am currently employed by the Village of Oswego and am retiring on April 8, 2025.

Occupation: I am a registered Professional Engineer in the State of Illinois. I have 28 years of municipal government experience including the last 11+ years as Oswego’s Public Works Director/Village Engineer.

Previous or current elected or appointed office: N/A

The most pressing issues facing Oswego are _______, and this is what I intend to do about them. Strategic Growth. I am committed to guiding Oswego’s growth to reflect our community’s desires, not just developers’ interests. Our plans include transformative infrastructure projects like connecting to Lake Michigan water and improving Wolfs Crossing.

What are the critical differences between you and the other candidates seeking this post? As a Public Works Director, I have worked with seven mayors and numerous trustees across the political spectrum. I’ve met with hundreds of residents to listen to their concerns and solve problems. I’ve been responsible for all aspects of Oswego’s infrastructure. I have prepared and overseen the operating and capital budgets for the Public Works Department. My crews have been on the frontline of the Village’s initial response to natural emergencies including floods, tornados, and blizzards. One of my main responsibilities has been to lead the planning and implementation of some of the largest infrastructure projects ever undertaken by the Village including connecting to Lake Michigan water and improving Wolfs Crossing. I have worked in partnership with officials from SD308, the Oswego Fire Protection District, and the Oswegoland Park District to build upon each other’s strengths.

If you are a challenger, in what way has the current board or officeholder failed the community (or district or constituency)? I am not running against an incumbent.

Describe the other issues that define your campaign platform. I could have retired from Oswego and walked away from serving. I ask that the community allow me to continue to serve in a new role—as a trustee. I believe that my experience, relationships within the community, knowledge of Oswego, and understanding of government operations make me an ideal candidate for this position.

What accomplishments in your past would you cite as evidence you can handle this job? My years of public service in a position where I need to make decisions that impact people’s lives demonstrate my ability to handle the job.

Why should voters trust you? I understand that trust is earned. I believe my actions during my career demonstrate responsible management and care for Oswego. My decisions are based upon my belief, shaped by input from the community, as to what is best for Oswego in the long term, not what is politically expedient.

If you win this position, what accomplishment would make your term in office as a success? The ultimate measure of success will not be determined by me but by the residents of Oswego. Some accomplishments may not be realized until years after I am out of office. My personal measures of success are: did I put the effort into being the best Trustee that I could? Did I seek to understand the short-term and long-term implications of a decision and make the best decision I could with the information that I had for the good of the whole? Did I make a positive impact on the lives of our current and future residents?

What are your views on fiscal policy, government spending and the handling of taxpayer dollars in the office you are seeking? Government budgets are not unlike family budgets. We do not have an unlimited source of money and need to constantly adjust due to changes in circumstance. Along with addressing daily expenses, we need to invest in our future. Large capital projects are often best financed over time to ensure that the burden doesn’t fall solely on the shoulders of current residents to pay for facilities that future residents will enjoy.

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?

Oswego’s crime rate is well below the national average. Previous Village Boards have invested in our police department, ensuring we have well-trained and equipped officers. The department, in return, has worked tirelessly to develop and strengthen relationships with our residents, homeowners associations, schools, and business community. Our nationally accredited department regularly reviews policies and trains on the latest law enforcement techniques to ensure it holds itself to the highest standards.

As a Trustee, I will continue to support our department’s core values of professionalism, integrity, and courage.

What is your view of the village's approach to commercial and residential development? Oswego is on the boundary between suburbs and farmland. As such, we should expect that development will occur and we must plan accordingly. Our challenge as the Village Board is to ensure that growth is consistent with the vision our community has detailed in the Comprehensive Plan. A wide variety of residential products is necessary to meet the needs of residents at various stages of life.

Brick-and-mortar stores are still thriving, and businesses are attracted to Oswego by our growing population. These businesses desire access to highways and utilities in addition to favorable demographics.

However, national trends suggest that we will not see many new big box stores. As online shopping has increased, our commercial development will become more experiential. I support diversification of our commercial tax base to make it more resilient to changes in consumer shopping habits.

To attract the businesses residents desire, the Village needs to continue to support existing businesses while seeking out developers who will bring desired business to our community. The Village can also play a role in ensuring adequate infrastructure, such as obtaining Lake Michigan water, will be present.

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? Residents want a community to care about them and to provide basic needs like safe drinking water, clean streets, and police and fire services. As I have done throughout my eleven years at Oswego, I will continue to hold paramount the trust residents place in me to make the decisions to protect the community to the best of my ability.

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 have had the honor of working for Oswego and am thankful for the opportunity to have served our wonderful community. My experience, dedication, and vision will help Oswego flourish!