Getting Results Through Collaboration and Persistence
Building Better Communities
My community advocacy has included:
- Chairing the Citizens for Mundelein High School referendum committee and helping lead the successful referendum campaign.
- Supporting the District 76 referendum.
- Participating in the Diamond Lake Alliance and helping bring stakeholders together to develop long-term priorities for protecting and improving Diamond Lake.
- Working with residents and community stakeholders on road, drainage, zoning, development, and infrastructure issues.
- Advocating for fair school impact fees during the Wirtz/Ivanhoe Farms development discussions.
Removing Illegal, Racially Restrictive Covenants
One of the projects I am most proud of was helping advance efforts to remove racially restrictive covenants from Illinois property records.
This was not an issue that could be solved through a local government process alone. It required state legislation, collaboration, and relationships with legislators who could help move the effort forward.
The resulting law created a pathway for homeowners to remove discriminatory language from their property records and address a painful legacy that remained embedded in many communities.
Media Coverage:
Stopping a Proposed Mega Gun Store and Shooting Range
When a large gun store and shooting range was proposed near an elementary school in Mundelein, I worked to increase public awareness and encourage meaningful community engagement.
The situation required looking beyond the traditional approval process and finding effective ways to ensure residents’ concerns were heard. Through targeted outreach, including social media efforts and community engagement, residents became more informed and involved in the conversation. The proposal was ultimately withdrawn.
The experience reinforced an important lesson: successful advocacy requires more than attending meetings. It requires understanding how decisions are made, communicating effectively, and bringing people together around shared concerns.
Media Coverage:
My approach
Every community challenge is different, but my approach remains consistent:
Listen first. Understand the concerns of residents and stakeholders.
Do the research. Know the facts, the process, and the options.
Build relationships. Solutions often require collaboration beyond a single meeting or organization.
Stay persistent. Meaningful change takes time and commitment.
Not every success makes the news, but every successful effort begins with people willing to get involved.