Orland Township Together Candidate: Cindy Murray

ORLAND TOWNSHIP, IL — Meet Cindy Murray, running for Orland Township Clerk with the Orland Township Together slate, in the April 2021 Consolidated Election. The election is April 6.

Murray recently filled out the Patch candidate survey, and her answers can be seen 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.

Cindy Murray

Age (as of Election Day)

49

Town/City of Residence

Orland Hills

Office Sought

Township board

Party Affiliation (if a partisan race)

Orland Township Together

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government?

No

Education

B.S. in Accounting from Illinois State University

Occupation

Accounting (15)

Campaign website

ott2021.com

Previous or Current Elected or Appointed Office

Orland Township Clerk, Orland Hills Veterans Commission

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 board is operating safely through the pandemic. The board and staff are working together to find creative ways to provide the services our residents need even more so now with the pandemic. We have been quite successful in offering drive thru services such as the food pantry and holiday program.

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 understand black lives do matter and peaceful demonstrations can be powerful. The rioting, however, was unacceptable and far from peaceful. Orland Township provides services to all residents without discrimination.

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

The township provides necessary services to all residents equally. There is no room for racial inequality.

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?

Throughout the pandemic, the township successfully found measures to take in order to safely continue providing necessary services. Although our operations may not have looked the same, they were safely altered especially to be able to help those greatly affected.

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?

Inter-governmental cooperation is vital. This is about the people and we need to work together to get the vaccine distributed.

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

I am running unopposed.

Describe the other issues that define your campaign platform

Our slate prides itself in listening to the people, their wants and, more importantly, their needs. We support term limits for public officials and continue to keep township taxes as low as possible while providing quality services.

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

We listen. We greatly expanded our food pantry due to need. We worked with the Secretary of State’s office to provide space for them to continue to deliver the services our residents appreciated having locally. Throughout the pandemic, we have provided services in a modified drive thru approach to maintain safety. We listened and we provided while keeping the taxes low.

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

We would like to set term limits within the township. The residents have expressed their concerns with term limits and we would like to address those concerns.

Why should voters trust you?

It's difficult to serve in as many roles as I have with mud on your name. I am honest and dedicated to my community. While in office, the Township has made tremendous improvements to its website allowing for further transparency.

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

Decisions and spending should be made with the best interest of the taxpayer in mind. We are responsible in ensuring tax dollars are spent wisely and necessarily.

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

No reason.

The best advice ever shared with me was:

The golden rule. Treat others as you would want to be treated.

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

The township is vital for our residents. We provide services that are necessary and not found elsewhere. More importantly, we provide those services with an extremely low tax bill because the community we serve supports us and our cause. Our volunteer and donor base is amazing. It is a great honor to serve.