Margie Bonuchi For Plainfield Mayor: Candidate Survey

PLAINFIELD, IL — Four candidates, including current trustee Margie Bonuchi, are looking to become the next mayor of Plainfield.

In the April 1 Consolidated Election, voters will be asked to choose between incumbent mayor John Argoudelis, current trustee Cally Larson, former trustee Kevin Calkins and Bonuchi for the head role in the village.

RELATED: Plainfield 2025 Consolidated Election: Who Filed For Mayor, Trustee

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

Your name: Margie Bonuchi

Office sought: Mayor

Campaign website: www.Margie4Mayor.com

Town of residence: Plainfield

Party Affiliation (if a partisan race): No answer.

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government? This includes any relatives who work in the government you're running for. My husband is the emergency management director for Kendall County.

Occupation: Retired now but 23 years in the technology department at Plainfield Community Consolidated School District 202 (most recent employment was as director for 16 years)

Previous or current elected or appointed office: Plainfield Village Trustee.

The most pressing issues facing Plainfield are _______, and this is what I intend to do about them. Property Taxes and Traffic are 2 of most critical. I have voted for initiatives to lower property taxes. The most recent approved development will expand County Line Rd, work on Phase 1 of 143rd St and I refer back to the previous Comp plan (when I was on the Board before) that extends Steiner Rd north of 143rd. ( we brought it from Rt126 to 143rd originally) Extending it as a residential street with winding road access to deter truck traffic and manage vehicle traffic better thru neighborhoods. This gives drivers more options to navigate around town. Just 2 examples.

What are the critical differences between you and the other candidates seeking this post? My experience and education in this area. I had served the Village Bd for 12 years prior to the most recent 2yrs and I have a Masters Degree from DePaul University in Public Administration and Urban Planning.(Same as a Village Administrator) I also attended many workshops offered by IML (Intergovernmental League) to stay current on many areas and laws.

My previous Board service, I was a part of a time when many of the plans going in now were originally developed. Many times plans roll from one Administration to the next and may appear as new. For Example: Woodman's was in the works since 2016. Boulevard was redeveloped from desterted truck stop and we brought in Cosco in 2020 and subsequent businesses. 143rd East and West had been in he works for years prior as well. Extending Steiner Road from Rt126 was done and the plan is to head further north for more road access for everyone.

If you are a challenger, in what way has the current board or officeholder failed the community (or district or constituency)? First, the huge fines he refuses to honor his contract to pay. This was not political as he claims since this was all in court prior to him running for mayor. He was permitted to use his own law firm so he delayed every motion that he could to run the bill up for taxpayers to keep it going. He was found at fault, then went to the Appellate Court twice, was denied both times there then to drag it out further he is trying the Illinois Supreme Court to delay further. It is an established debt right now and interest is being added. Why did the Board sue? Because why should he not pay his bills when you have to pay for your fence permit, pool permit, remodeling, construction etc. He is not above the law, no one is.

Second he does not work with the Board. Often we are kept in the dark on items he has said he is working on. Also the Board is never asked to participate on subcommittees, like Comp Plan or Traffic committee. Then there is the disrespect and arguing, both in open mtgs and closed session. When I ran in 2023 to come back to the Board, I was often asked by citizens to "Stop the Drama."

Describe the other issues that define your campaign platform. I call them the 4 T's-Taxes, Traffic, Trucks, Trains. Not all of these situations can be fixed overnight. I have voted for developments to help relieve property taxes, because we need this tax relief especially at the school levels. These developments provide money to schools and do not add more students. While the Village gets .06 cents on the dollar and the school dist is about 65% of the bill. That's where we need relief.

Traffic is a huge issue. We need more roads and that's costly. By bringing in more development we can address road widening and expansion. Everything is costly so working with County, State and Federal entities is key. During the last 12 yrs of my board service we acquired monies for expansion and will continue to do so. Trucks are no one's favorite but its the way of the world right now. If we voted against the developments we would NOT stop trucks or any other traffic thru Plainfield. The difference is that the developments would go to other communities, and we would still get the trucks since the State designated 143rd St as a truck route. At least now we benefit financially and can have some control over the traffic. We also need to pursue funding for grade-separated crossing at 143rd St to help provide traffic relief. As for trains, during my last time on the Board, the Chief negotiated with Lockport to move a sensor that was detecting an issue with the trains that caused them to stop, blocking all crossings east of Rt 59 and causing horrible backups. Keeping communications open with CN is our only option to improve train issues. They hold all of the cards.

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

There are many accomplishments over the 12 yrs and most recently the past two. I have noted many of them in this interview, but here are some highlights. We inherited a budget several million in the red when we were elected in 2009 and were in the black ahead of schedule.

Brought in LogoPlaste, Diageo expansion, Cosco, Boulevard redevelopment, Van Dyke Place to get our economy moving during economic downturn. Developed a P3 (Public/Private Partnership) using the Depot land that Village already owned, to bring in PACE bus service, (trains were removed from our plans beyond our control). We brought in Perlow Steel, MNS1, PACE Bus Barn and this triggered the construction of the New Plfd Emergency Mgt Bldg, at nearly no cost to the village.

Extended Steiner Rd, secured additional funding to complete 143rd East. I voted recently for initiatives that will help relieve property taxes.

Removed lead lines from the downtown area at no additional cost to homeowners.

This work is continuing east of Rt 59 in the older section of town.

NOTE Woodman's has been in the works since 2016.

Why should voters trust you? I believe in being honest and truthful. I have a reputation based those beliefs and I live by example. Sometimes the answers are not what someone wants to hear, but I won't lie to get a vote. I am a bridge builder and community advocate. I have been dedicated to Plainfield for 30 years, wanting the best for everyone. I have raised hundreds of thousands of dollars over the years for students, teachers, veterans groups, numerous social organizations, YMCA, Interfaith Food Pantry, Day Break shelter the Plainfield Lions Club initiatives, and the Riverfront. Of course this is with working with many others as well, but I give my time and money as best as I can.

When someone calls me with a question or wants me to come out to them because of an issue, I respond. I don't ask if they are a voter or what their party politics are. I have garnered the respect of community leaders in areas around us which is crucial as we need to be working in cooperation with everyone.

I love the many community events and am proud to say that as the President of the Riverfront Foundation, I was able to get Plainfield Fest back, with all the features, including the carnival for our residents. This was done thru cooperation and negotiations with D202, Plainfield Township Board and the Village Board, Fire Dist, and Plainfield Police Dept. This is an example of gaining the trust of local entities and following thru on exactly what we committed to for the Fest.

If you win this position, what accomplishment would make your term in office a success? I believe we need to continue the great works that we started many years ago and really plan ways to lower property taxes. Many of our residents are struggling. We also need to work with the big developers who want to build in Plainfield to get more infrastructure development from them and hold them to more accountability.

What are your views on fiscal policy, government spending and the handling of taxpayer dollars in the office you are seeking? I have to say that Plainfield has done a very good job over the many years that I was a part of serving. Staff works hard to watch every dollar and not be frivolous with taxpayers' money. I am a fiscal conservative but everything is in balance. Somes to keep the quality of the community we need to spend, but its never done recklessly. That is why it is so important for the Mayor to pay his part and not expect to be excused from fines because he got elected.

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? Plainfield PD does a great job. We are a very safe community and I have always supported our Police Dept. I am the candidate who is endorsed by Safe Suburbs because of my strong support of law enforcement. This organization is dedicated to backing the blue. I am proud that our Police has such a strong and positive community presence as well.

What is your view of the village's approach to commercial and residential development? Everything in balance. Several developments were started in the past 2 years and we needed to complete them once they are so far down the road. I think the residential must be balanced with overcrowding certain school areas and traffic concerns. As a Village, the staff has always been trying to get more commercial and that's been difficult in recent years as there are so much brick and mortar closings. That leaves industrial. This is why we need to have an appropriate ratio of industrial to residential and be in a position to negotiate more benefits. The key is this, industrial will come either in Plainfield with perks, or outside of Plainfield without the benefits to our community. Unless we plan to build a fence around the whole town, its not stopping. (Obviously we are NOT building a fence) I prefer to have our community benefit from development not be a pass thru where all we gain is traffic.

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? We need infrastructue. Right now, 135th and Rt 59 is a main concern. This intersection redevelopment was on the radar for a while and the traffic concerns, red light camera and heavy traffic crowding has moved this to the forefront. I travel this area often and its awful. There are so many businesses here and many citizens have asked for a connection to businesses and park on the east side of Rt 59.

There is also Rt30 and 143rd intersection improvements needed and as mentioned previously a grade-separated train crossing at 143rd near Van Dyke area.

There are many improvements needed on 119th st due to residential and Woodmans developments. These are some of the key places.

Is there any reason you would not serve your full term of office, other than those of health or family? No, I have the full support of my family.

What else would you like voters to know about yourself and your positions? I believe in moving Plainfield forward. We have a wonderful staff whom I respect very much. I was asked why did you run again for the Board in 2023? I ran for several reasons. I truly missed serving the people at the Village level. I also wanted to be a part of so many great things that we put into place in prior years, such as 143rd st, the Plainfield Emergency Mgt Bldg, continuing development of the Boulevard and Rt 30 corridor, the possible reconstruction of the Rt 126 interchange into a full interchange and so many more projects to come. I am here to serve you and ask for your vote. Thank you.