St. Charles Mayoral Race: Lora Vitek Candidate Questionnaire

ST. CHARLES, IL — There are two candidate vying for the mayoral seat in St. Charles this spring.

The local spring election will be held on April 1. More information on voting and registering to vote can be found here.

Patch.com will be publishing candidate questionnaires leading up to the election for candidates who respond to our questionnaires. Below is the candidate questionnaire answers for Mayor Lora Vitek, who will be challenged by Clint Hull this election:

Campaign website: votevitek.com

Age (as of Election Day): 47

Town/City of Residence: St. Charles

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

Education: MBA, Masters of Management

Occupation. Please include years of experience.

Executive Director of Delta Dental of Illinois Foundation and Current Mayor 4 years

Previous or Current Elected or Appointed Office*

Alderman 4 years, Mayor of City of St. Charles 4 years

The most pressing issues facing our (board, district, etc.) are _______, and this is what I intend to do about them.

Infrastructure issues, lead service lines, economic issues/costs. We have reduced debt by $20 million in my 4 years to help weather these issues. We will continue to prioritize projects. Growing our community to offset this burden helps tremendously too. We have brought in some new diverse developments and will continue to partner to bring additional ones that our residents and visitors are excited about.

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

Municipal Experience Matters - I have 9 years serving the City of St. Charles. My opponent has no municipal government experience. Every modern day mayor has served as an alderman, my opponent has not. I also have a business background having been in the business and nonprofit sector for more than 20 years. My administration in the last four years has proven results in our Community - reducing debt, downtown occupancy at 95%, industrial at 97%.

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

Describe the other issues that define your campaign platform

Community Engagement - inviting our community to participate and have a voice. We have done this in our first pedestrian bike plan and are now implementing those projects. Our community cares about safety, bikability and walkability. The dam - involving our community in the dam taskforce.

Development of the old police department - we have already started the process of a feasibility study to assess factors of the site. That report will be presented sometime this spring. Our City Council also determined community engagement would be the next step. We have already determined those steps so I plan to see them through.

Charlestowne Mall - With the launch of the Fox Haven Square development on a 20 year vacant property, I am confident we can now spur development at the site. We are already working with the owner on a path forward and have the relationship and expertise to continue to work through that development.

For more policy perspective votevitek.com

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

• Worked to reduce the city’s general obligation debt from $109 million to $88 million
• Implemented a $7.5 mil street infrastructure program resulting in safer streets and sidewalks for our residents and neighborhoods
• Prioritized public space alongside new developments such as the First Street Plaza and the new Fox Haven Square project to encourage community gatherings and tourism
• Secured important developments for our city: Whole Foods, Springs Residential, Fox Haven, and Pheasant Run
• Forced the owner of Pheasant Run to remove dangerous structures making way for the sale and redevelopment of the eastern gateway of St. Charles
• Created a Public Private Partnership that completed the First Street Plaza project that began nearly twenty years ago and increased revenues for the city
• Maintained the city’s Aa1 bond rating to save taxpayer money

Why should voters trust you?

I have four years as alderperson and four as Mayor. I have a proven track record of success and my administration has been doing positive things for the City of St. Charles. I have municipal experience. My opponent does not - he has never served as an alderman. Why change when things are going well for St. Charles?

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

I believe building on our successes in my first term. A strong community where people want to live, work and visit.

Charlestowne Mall. With the new development, Fox Haven Square, I believe we can make some positive progress toward redevelopment of the mall.

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

Fiscally Conservative.

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?

More can always be done and we need to be proactive not reactive. St. Charles is a safe community and our police department works tirelessly to make sure it stays that way. This will continue under my administration just as it has for the last four years.

What is your view of the city's/village's approach to commercial and residential development?

Smart, sustainable growth - we partner with current businesses to support their efforts and look for new development opportunities to compliment our City.

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?

Infrastructure issues for sure. Updating old infrastructure.

I believe residents want balanced development - we want to continue to honor our history while also continuing to be innovative and grow.

How this will happen is by continuing the balanced development and growth we have seen over the four years in my administration.

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:

Be a good human! I pass that onto my kids as well.

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

The City of St. Charles is on a roll from the hard work that my administration has put in for the last few years. I ask people if they are happy in St. Charles, close to 100% are. So then I ask why change? Why elect someone with no municipal experience?