gina kennedy
wilmette village board
candidate video
responses to voter guide questions
1. Why are you running for village board, and what are your qualifications?
I am running for reelection to continue the work I have done over the past (almost) four years. Because of my experience as a trustee, I understand how the village government functions and have close working relationships with fellow Village Board members and staff. Equally importantly, as a Wilmette resident for more than 35 years, I know the village well and have a good sense of what our residents value now about Wilmette and how they envision its
future.
I have worked hard, as a trustee, to understand all matters before the Board, to find the best solution to issues large and small, to keep an open mind and listen to all members of our community, to identify problems that need to be addressed, and to make our village the best possible community for all residents.
2. What are your priorities for Wilmette and how will you work with the board and Village staff to address them?
My two highest priorities are to continue the village's investment in infrastructure and move towards a greener, more sustainable Wilmette. When I joined the Board in 2019, the condition of our streets was unacceptable due to years of inadequate investment. As a result of increased funding for road maintenance, our streets; overall condition has significantly improved in the past four years and is on a path to match the overall condition of streets in neighboring communities. We need to stay the course.
Regarding sustainability, our Environment and Energy Commission has done a stellar job of educating us and proposing sustainability initiatives. Similarly, our Transportation Commission has led the way on bike and pedestrian safety improvements. Building on the work of these commissions, with the support of community groups and engaged residents, we recently enacted a tree preservation ordinance which, for the first time, recognizes trees as
immensely valuable community assets. It limits damage and destruction of healthy trees and provides funds to replenish the village's tree canopy. The first public vehicle charging stations have been installed, street lighting is being made more energy efficient, hybrids are replacing gas-powered vehicles when feasible, and native plant species are being used in public landscaping. The village has also required the use of bird-safe glass and native plantings as part of new construction and renovation of existing structures.
3. What, if any, are your environmental priorities for the village?
Given the urgent need to ameliorate climate change, the measures above, while admirable, are not sufficient. We need to pursue additional sustainability measures. With the continued input of the Environment and Energy Commission and the newly hired Sustainability Coordinator, and the invaluable support of Go Green Wilmette, the Wilmette League of Women Voters and passionate residents, I am optimistic that the Board will meet the challenge. We should consider "dark sky" measures in coming years. We should increase our hybrid and all-electric vehicle fleet, consider the installation of solar panels on village-owned buildings, educate residents and businesses regarding the benefits of community solar programs, solar panels, heat pumps, energy efficient lighting and appliances, and the use of native plantings in landscaping. Finally, as the village begins planning for its new police station, it should seek LEED certification of the building.
4. Do you think Wilmette has successfully balanced development in the village? Do you have any vision for future development in Wilmette?
This is the hardest issue we are currently wrestling with. Community support for the redevelopment of Edens Plaza and Plaza del Lago is strong. Recent revitalization of the downtown business district has been a boon to our sales tax revenue. However, not everyone is happy about the retail/restaurant mix in downtown and the lack of appropriate development in other business districts, particularly along Ridge Road and in Linden Square. The massing
along Green Bay Road of large structures which are insensitive to the design of existing buildings and lack appealing open space to soften their impact is controversial. And there is concern about resulting traffic congestion, particularly on Green Bay Road and adjacent residential streets.
While most residents applaud the commercial vibrancy of our downtown, there is room for improvement. A significant number would prefer a different retail/restaurant balance and have expressed disappointment with the lack of affordable, family-friendly restaurants and restaurants serving modern, healthful food. They like outdoor dining, but find the narrow sidewalks obstructed by tables, servers and diners sometimes annoying. There is a perceived lack of adequate parking. We should take these concerns into consideration as we go forward.
Based on my discussions with residents, and from polling done as part of on-going comprehensive planning, I doubt there is a simple, easily summarized consensus regarding development. In the abstract, most residents welcome new, denser residential options and a vibrant downtown business district. At the same time, nearly all residents cite Wilmette's small town feel and its quiet, largely single-family neighborhoods as its best feature. I believe that we
need to investigate this issue further to find the right balance of these two seemingly incompatible views. There must be a middle ground, but we won't find it unless we probe deeper. To have "successfully balanced development" in Wilmette we need to be sensitive to our residents' views of actual, concrete projects and less focused on abstract notions about "good" development. Development cannot be focused solely on the revenue impact to the
village, at the expense of residents' other concerns. The best course is to elicit more input from our community about specific projects, to listen closely to these views, and negotiate a path that balances would-be developers' and residents' needs and desires.
5. Is the Village doing enough to maintain and/or improve infrastructure in Wilmette?
I believe so. The successful completion of the storm water control project and the improving condition of Wilmette's streets due to our enhanced road program have demonstrated that we can maintain and improve infrastructure in a fiscally responsible manner when we prioritize it. Maintenance is cheaper when problems are addressed earlier rather than later. We just need to keep it up.
6. How do you feel Wilmette can best balance tax revenue and spending?
Balancing total revenues and spending each year is difficult. However, in crafting village budgets in the last three years, the Board has done an excellent job of setting spending priorities, cutting costs when possible, right-sizing staffing, maintaining an adequate reserve fund, taking advantage of historically low borrowing rates to finance capital spending and re-finance older debt, minimizing property tax increases, etc. -- all despite the unprecedented
upheaval caused by the pandemic. In 2020, the Board wisely voted to proceed with the storm water project despite an uncertain economic situation, which was a terrific decision, as we were able to take advantage of low contractor bids and borrowing costs. The Board reduced the property tax rate for 2023 for the first time in decades.
As chairperson of the Board's Finance Committee, I have had a front row seat and developed a deep admiration for the
Board, village staff, and our financial advisors and have complete confidence in current decision-making.
7. Do you feel the various Village boards and commissions adequately serve Wilmette’s needs? Do you have additional ideas for how they can do so?
When I joined the Board in 2019, there were numerous vacancies on its boards and commissions. Some had been wholly inactive for years. I pressed hard for reevaluation and revitalization of these bodies and, in 2021, the Board's Administrative Committee, developed an outstanding plan which was subsequently implemented. Considering that we have had less than two years' experience with these revitalized boards and commissions, it is too early to tell whether further changes are warranted. But it is incumbent on the Board to monitor these
bodies and make adjustments when needed.
I am running for reelection to continue the work I have done over the past (almost) four years. Because of my experience as a trustee, I understand how the village government functions and have close working relationships with fellow Village Board members and staff. Equally importantly, as a Wilmette resident for more than 35 years, I know the village well and have a good sense of what our residents value now about Wilmette and how they envision its
future.
I have worked hard, as a trustee, to understand all matters before the Board, to find the best solution to issues large and small, to keep an open mind and listen to all members of our community, to identify problems that need to be addressed, and to make our village the best possible community for all residents.
2. What are your priorities for Wilmette and how will you work with the board and Village staff to address them?
My two highest priorities are to continue the village's investment in infrastructure and move towards a greener, more sustainable Wilmette. When I joined the Board in 2019, the condition of our streets was unacceptable due to years of inadequate investment. As a result of increased funding for road maintenance, our streets; overall condition has significantly improved in the past four years and is on a path to match the overall condition of streets in neighboring communities. We need to stay the course.
Regarding sustainability, our Environment and Energy Commission has done a stellar job of educating us and proposing sustainability initiatives. Similarly, our Transportation Commission has led the way on bike and pedestrian safety improvements. Building on the work of these commissions, with the support of community groups and engaged residents, we recently enacted a tree preservation ordinance which, for the first time, recognizes trees as
immensely valuable community assets. It limits damage and destruction of healthy trees and provides funds to replenish the village's tree canopy. The first public vehicle charging stations have been installed, street lighting is being made more energy efficient, hybrids are replacing gas-powered vehicles when feasible, and native plant species are being used in public landscaping. The village has also required the use of bird-safe glass and native plantings as part of new construction and renovation of existing structures.
3. What, if any, are your environmental priorities for the village?
Given the urgent need to ameliorate climate change, the measures above, while admirable, are not sufficient. We need to pursue additional sustainability measures. With the continued input of the Environment and Energy Commission and the newly hired Sustainability Coordinator, and the invaluable support of Go Green Wilmette, the Wilmette League of Women Voters and passionate residents, I am optimistic that the Board will meet the challenge. We should consider "dark sky" measures in coming years. We should increase our hybrid and all-electric vehicle fleet, consider the installation of solar panels on village-owned buildings, educate residents and businesses regarding the benefits of community solar programs, solar panels, heat pumps, energy efficient lighting and appliances, and the use of native plantings in landscaping. Finally, as the village begins planning for its new police station, it should seek LEED certification of the building.
4. Do you think Wilmette has successfully balanced development in the village? Do you have any vision for future development in Wilmette?
This is the hardest issue we are currently wrestling with. Community support for the redevelopment of Edens Plaza and Plaza del Lago is strong. Recent revitalization of the downtown business district has been a boon to our sales tax revenue. However, not everyone is happy about the retail/restaurant mix in downtown and the lack of appropriate development in other business districts, particularly along Ridge Road and in Linden Square. The massing
along Green Bay Road of large structures which are insensitive to the design of existing buildings and lack appealing open space to soften their impact is controversial. And there is concern about resulting traffic congestion, particularly on Green Bay Road and adjacent residential streets.
While most residents applaud the commercial vibrancy of our downtown, there is room for improvement. A significant number would prefer a different retail/restaurant balance and have expressed disappointment with the lack of affordable, family-friendly restaurants and restaurants serving modern, healthful food. They like outdoor dining, but find the narrow sidewalks obstructed by tables, servers and diners sometimes annoying. There is a perceived lack of adequate parking. We should take these concerns into consideration as we go forward.
Based on my discussions with residents, and from polling done as part of on-going comprehensive planning, I doubt there is a simple, easily summarized consensus regarding development. In the abstract, most residents welcome new, denser residential options and a vibrant downtown business district. At the same time, nearly all residents cite Wilmette's small town feel and its quiet, largely single-family neighborhoods as its best feature. I believe that we
need to investigate this issue further to find the right balance of these two seemingly incompatible views. There must be a middle ground, but we won't find it unless we probe deeper. To have "successfully balanced development" in Wilmette we need to be sensitive to our residents' views of actual, concrete projects and less focused on abstract notions about "good" development. Development cannot be focused solely on the revenue impact to the
village, at the expense of residents' other concerns. The best course is to elicit more input from our community about specific projects, to listen closely to these views, and negotiate a path that balances would-be developers' and residents' needs and desires.
5. Is the Village doing enough to maintain and/or improve infrastructure in Wilmette?
I believe so. The successful completion of the storm water control project and the improving condition of Wilmette's streets due to our enhanced road program have demonstrated that we can maintain and improve infrastructure in a fiscally responsible manner when we prioritize it. Maintenance is cheaper when problems are addressed earlier rather than later. We just need to keep it up.
6. How do you feel Wilmette can best balance tax revenue and spending?
Balancing total revenues and spending each year is difficult. However, in crafting village budgets in the last three years, the Board has done an excellent job of setting spending priorities, cutting costs when possible, right-sizing staffing, maintaining an adequate reserve fund, taking advantage of historically low borrowing rates to finance capital spending and re-finance older debt, minimizing property tax increases, etc. -- all despite the unprecedented
upheaval caused by the pandemic. In 2020, the Board wisely voted to proceed with the storm water project despite an uncertain economic situation, which was a terrific decision, as we were able to take advantage of low contractor bids and borrowing costs. The Board reduced the property tax rate for 2023 for the first time in decades.
As chairperson of the Board's Finance Committee, I have had a front row seat and developed a deep admiration for the
Board, village staff, and our financial advisors and have complete confidence in current decision-making.
7. Do you feel the various Village boards and commissions adequately serve Wilmette’s needs? Do you have additional ideas for how they can do so?
When I joined the Board in 2019, there were numerous vacancies on its boards and commissions. Some had been wholly inactive for years. I pressed hard for reevaluation and revitalization of these bodies and, in 2021, the Board's Administrative Committee, developed an outstanding plan which was subsequently implemented. Considering that we have had less than two years' experience with these revitalized boards and commissions, it is too early to tell whether further changes are warranted. But it is incumbent on the Board to monitor these
bodies and make adjustments when needed.