Matthew Glowiak For Wheatland Township Trustee: Candidate Survey

WHEATLAND TOWNSHIP, IL — Wheatland Township leadership could completely shift in the consolidated election on April 1. Four trustee seats as well as the supervisor, highway commissioner, clerk, tax collector and assessor roles are all up for grabs.

The Democratic candidates running include incumbent Michael Crowner for supervisor, Harry Benton for highway commissioner, current trustee Terry Jones for clerk and Jim Kopchok for tax collector. Margaret Tyson, Mary Frances, Matt Glowiak and Jeff Klein are running for trustee.

Wheatland United, as the Democratic party is known, is the incumbent party.

Republicans running in the race include Brian Evans for supervisor, Bruce Darata for assessor, Todd Morse for highway commissioner, Tim Willmore for tax collector and Robert Whittier for clerk. Michael Krzywinski, David Furnish, Tom Brzyski and Randall Haap are trustee candidates.

The township is made up of 37 precincts covering parts of Aurora, Bolingbrook, Plainfield and Naperville.

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

Your name: Dr. Matthew Glowiak, Sr.

Office sought: Wheatland Township Trustee

Campaign website: www.wheatlandunited.com

Town of residence: Bolingbrook

Party affiliation (if partisan race): Democrat

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government? This includes any relatives who work in the government you're running for. No.

Occupation: Clinical Mental Health - Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor (LCPC) & Certified Advance Alcohol and Other Drug Counselor (CAADC) (13 years) and Professor (9 years)

Previous or current elected or appointed office: Wheatland 22 Precinct Committee Person

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

Our Priorities:

Fiscal Responsibility & Smart Governance:
*Continue operating a fiscally sound government that protects taxpayer dollars.
*Maintain the lowest tax rates in the county while ensuring efficient service delivery.
*Identify additional cost-saving measures and grant opportunities, to reduce reliance on property taxes.
*Keep the township budget balanced and invest responsibly in the long-term needs of our residents.

Mental Health & Community Well-Being:
*Advocate for increased access to affordable mental health care, particularly for youth and underserved communities.
*Strengthen partnerships with local organizations to provide crisis intervention, counseling, and support services.
*Promote mental health awareness and education through township programs and initiatives.
*Ensure that township services are equipped to address the growing need for mental health resources in the community.

Community Services & Resident Support:
*Identify gaps in essential services to support members of our community.
*Continue to strengthen partnerships with local organizations to provide mental health, food security, and emergency assistance programs.
*Create new opportunities for youth engagement, job training, and community enrichment programs.

Infrastructure & Sustainability:
*Prioritize smart investments in road maintenance and drainage improvements to keep neighborhoods safe and well-maintained.
*Continue responsible planning and development to meet the needs of a growing township.
*Implement sustainable solutions to reduce long-term costs, such as energy-efficient township facilities and eco-friendly road treatments.
*Seek grants and partnerships to modernize infrastructure without increasing the financial burden on taxpayers.

Transparent & Inclusive Government:
*Maintain the highest standards of transparency, accountability, and ethical governance.
*Continue ensuring township board meetings and financial records are easily accessible to the public.
*Foster a nonpartisan, community-driven approach to local government where all voices are heard and considered.
*Engage residents through town halls, surveys, and direct communication to make township government more responsive and accessible.

What are the critical differences between you and the other candidates seeking this post? While many elected officials, candidates, and platforms speak to mental health advocacy being a pressing issue, which it is; everything mental health is my career, meaning that I can legally, ethically, professionally, and competently be hands on with this work. I have over a decade of experience as a licensed clinician having worked in an addiction setting as well as owning and directing a group private practice. Specific to higher education, I have over 9 years of experience teaching master's students (Benedictine University, Walden University, Southern New Hampshire University, Yorkville University, & Hazelden Betty Ford Graduate School). Further, I have been actively engaged in leadership roles specific to various counseling associations, present locally and nationally, am a professional mental health content writer, and am continually connecting members of the community to relevant resources. For example, for the past year, I have been a member of the Will County Health Department & Community Center Governing Council. If you do enough digging, you might even find some episodes from my old show, "Mental Health Matters with Dr. Matt" that used to air on Bolingbrook Community Television (BCTV). Mental health is my priority, and it is my mission to ensure that Wheatland Township has access and awareness around services available.

If you are a challenger, in what way has the current board or officeholder failed the community (or district or constituency)? Wheatland United is the incumbent party, and we have made great strides since having been elected. Our intention is to continue moving forward with out previous initiatives and contributions while continuing to support the needs of the township, being mindful of the current sociopolitical environment.

Describe the other issues that define your campaign platform. We pride ourselves on providing transparent, honest communications. Given all the misinformation and disinformation flooding our media, we are committed to being honest and accessible.

What accomplishments in your past would you cite as evidence you can handle this job? Currently, I am Wheatland 22 Precinct Committee Person. Over the past decade, I have also held leadership positions in various counseling associations including but not limited to the American Counseling Association, Illinois Counseling Association, Chicago Counseling Association, and others. I am also actively involved in the community, serving as a mental health liaison for various organizations such as Heart Haven H2O, F.O.C.U.O.S., and others. A favorite of mine, too, is my work with the Bolingbrook Tee-Ball Association. I have been a Board Member and Head Coach for the past 5 years and am looking forward to beginning our 2025 Little Tees season in April.

Why should voters trust you? As a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor (LCPC) and Certified Advanced Alcohol and Other Drug Counselor (CAADC), my career is built upon honest and transparent communication. Where counseling clients or teaching students in higher education, I am held to the highest standards of honesty, privacy, multicultural competence, and otherwise. Ultimately, if I were to compromise my integrity in this role, it would have implications for my career, which I've spent many, many years of my life developing.

If you win this position, what accomplishment would make your term in office a success? For me, it's to continue delivering on what Wheatland United has been delivering while ensuring that people have access to mental health and addiction services that they may or may not be aware of. Accessing sources, as well as coming to a general understanding of what mental well-being is, can be stressful for many. Also, I want to normalize the discussion a bit further. When someone is struggling with physical health, many are quick to seek support. With mental health, however, they are oftentimes more reluctant. Fortunately, we have great resources in the area that can help. To me, my personal great accomplishment would be helping individuals, couples, families, and even the entire community--for those interested--get to a better place while enhancing their overall well-being.

What are your views on fiscal policy, government spending and the handling of taxpayer dollars in the office you are seeking? Per our initiatives specific to Fiscal Responsibility & Smart Governance:

*Continue operating a fiscally sound government that protects taxpayer dollars.
*Maintain the lowest tax rates in the county while ensuring efficient service delivery.
*Identify additional cost-saving measures and grant opportunities, to reduce reliance on property taxes.
*Keep the township budget balanced and invest responsibly in the long-term needs of 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? According to NICHE.com, Wheatland Township has an A+ overall grade when it comes to the crime rate in our community. This is testament to the hard work on behalf of our police officers, local government, community leaders, and residents themselves. Our intention is to maintain an A+ grade while continuing to support our police officers, first responders, and local communities.

What is your view of the village's approach to commercial and residential development? Wheatland Township remains mindful of the needs of the community as it relates to commerical and residential development. As a thriving township, we ensure that the community has a voice while approving that of which helps us move forward together.

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?

Per our initiatives specific to Infrastructure & Sustainability:

*Prioritize smart investments in road maintenance and drainage improvements to keep neighborhoods safe and well-maintained.
*Continue responsible planning and development to meet the needs of a growing township.
*Implement sustainable solutions to reduce long-term costs, such as energy-efficient township facilities and eco-friendly road treatments.
*Seek grants and partnerships to modernize infrastructure without increasing the financial burden on taxpayers.

Is there any reason you would not serve your full term of office, other than those of health or family? Outside of extenuating circumstances with personal health or family, I will be fully committed to serving my full term of office if elected.

What else would you like voters to know about yourself and your positions? As an individual born and raised in Bolingbrook, Illinois, I have great familiarity with my hometown and surrounding communities. Given that my wife grew up in Bolingbook, too, we both love the community so much that we decided to raise our three children out here while continuing to be in close proximity with our extended family. We truly live in a great community, and I feel affirmed by what has been built around us. I am proud to live here! Know that I am extremely dedicated to my work. If elected, you have my commitment to follow through on everything mentioned in this article and anything I commit myself to thereafter. Thank you for taking the time to get to know me a bit! Do not forget to vote on April 1st or during the early voting period, which begins Monday, March 17th.