jan churchwell
new trier township Board
candidate video
responses to voter guide questions
Introduction:
I’m a working mom with deep business and leadership expertise, managing an active family who spends time in WPD facilities nearly every day of the week. I hold degrees from both the Wharton School of Business and The University of Pennsylvania.
As a current commissioner, I bring financial acumen, level-headed decision making, and strategic vision to the Board. I enjoy meeting with community members to listen to their concerns and new ideas for the park district. With every decision, I strive for the best possible outcome for the whole of our community, both today and in the future.
I participate in the IAPD (Illinois Association of Park Districts) Board Member Development Program and have attended the annual conference for the past four years. These experiences help me learn best practices, discover new ideas for our park district, and gain valuable board member training. While this requires time beyond my regular commissioner duties, it has made me a more effective board member and board president.
I am seeking reelection because the Wilmette Park District needs continuity and strong leadership over the next few years. We have major capital projects underway which I am committed to seeing through completion, as well as the search for a new executive director. I can provide leadership through this period of change, while remaining focused on our mission and vision. I regularly tell my kids, “You can do hard things,” and in that same spirit, I am ready to continue working hard for Wilmette!
Questions:
What do you believe is the most pressing issue facing the Park District, and how would you address it as a Park Commissioner?
Finding and onboarding the next Executive Director for the Wilmette Park District is the top priority. The Board has already hired an experienced interim director, which was a first and necessary step to maintaining momentum on the many important projects underway across the district. Now, the Board will begin the search for a permanent director. I have experience with executive-level, national searches, both professionally and in volunteer roles. Given the nature of municipal searches, we must prioritize transparency and balance the perspectives of multiple decision-makers, which can extend the timeline. This is our most pressing issue, as the choice of a new director will shape the culture, staff, and community for years to come.
What are your financial priorities for the Park District and how would you ensure they are realized?
My financial priorities for the Park District are centered on maintaining a balanced budget, making thoughtful spending decisions, and ensuring capital investments align with our long-term goals in the Strategic and Comprehensive Plans.
There is tremendous opportunity ahead with the recent purchase of the Beth Hillel property, which added nearly five acres to our park footprint without raising taxes. This was made possible by leveraging our Moody’s AAA bond rating and strong financial position, but it does limit some medium-term capital flexibility. Managing this balance will require careful financial oversight and discipline. WPD must begin planning and saving for the development of the new site, while continuing to fund capital investments. I will prioritize essential projects, keep spending aligned with needs, and think flexibly in the face of unforeseen expenses.
In March 2024, the Wilmette Park District announced it would implement access controls at South Beach in Gillson Park by installing a fence and charging entrance fees. In December 2024, it was announced that the Board of Park Commissioners had committed to continue managing access to South Beach in 2025. Please explain your position on managed access control at South Beach in Gillson Park.
Since introducing swimming at South Beach, concerns have been raised regarding aesthetics, lifeguarding, and access. The changes made in 2024 were recommended in good faith to improve safety for both beachgoers and the lifeguards working to keep everyone safe. While I recognize there are differing opinions and perspectives on these changes, the safety measures were implemented after careful consideration and were deemed to be in the best interest of the community. As a Board member, my responsibility is to represent the broader community’s needs, even when opinions differ. Wilmette Park District is committed to providing the safest, most accessible, and cost-effective swim beach north of the city.
The district listened to concerns and made several adjustments throughout the first summer. I acknowledge there’s room for improvement to both aesthetics and access, and I believe we will find ways to compromise on this complex issue. To ensure all viewpoints are heard, the Board commissioned independent focus groups to gather feedback and ideas from the community. I look forward to seeing the results of these discussions and considering the recommendations that come out of them.
In 2023, Wilmette government agencies hired a shared Sustainability Coordinator to implement programs that protect our environment, conserve natural resources, and address the climate crisis. In what areas do you feel the Park District has made the best use of this Coordinator's time, and where would you like to see increased focus?
This has been a highlight of intergovernmental cooperation, and I am proud of the work WPD has accomplished already. The Guide to Green Sustainability Plan, developed with extensive community input and launched within the Coordinator’s first year, is now guiding the District’s decision making and keeping sustainability at the forefront of everyone’s minds. It’s remarkable that we are one year into a four-year plan, and over 60% of the objectives are underway.
The Coordinator’s time spent collaborating with staff across each department is ensuring District-wide buy-in and accountability to the Plan, and the Marketing and Communications team does an excellent job highlighting District successes in this area. An area for increased focus could be community engagement and education, expanding on events such as Earth Day at Keay, and perhaps integrating sustainability mini-lessons into existing WPD programming. Another new focus for the Coordinator could be to help identify and implement the next solar panel opportunities within the district.
I’m a working mom with deep business and leadership expertise, managing an active family who spends time in WPD facilities nearly every day of the week. I hold degrees from both the Wharton School of Business and The University of Pennsylvania.
As a current commissioner, I bring financial acumen, level-headed decision making, and strategic vision to the Board. I enjoy meeting with community members to listen to their concerns and new ideas for the park district. With every decision, I strive for the best possible outcome for the whole of our community, both today and in the future.
I participate in the IAPD (Illinois Association of Park Districts) Board Member Development Program and have attended the annual conference for the past four years. These experiences help me learn best practices, discover new ideas for our park district, and gain valuable board member training. While this requires time beyond my regular commissioner duties, it has made me a more effective board member and board president.
I am seeking reelection because the Wilmette Park District needs continuity and strong leadership over the next few years. We have major capital projects underway which I am committed to seeing through completion, as well as the search for a new executive director. I can provide leadership through this period of change, while remaining focused on our mission and vision. I regularly tell my kids, “You can do hard things,” and in that same spirit, I am ready to continue working hard for Wilmette!
Questions:
What do you believe is the most pressing issue facing the Park District, and how would you address it as a Park Commissioner?
Finding and onboarding the next Executive Director for the Wilmette Park District is the top priority. The Board has already hired an experienced interim director, which was a first and necessary step to maintaining momentum on the many important projects underway across the district. Now, the Board will begin the search for a permanent director. I have experience with executive-level, national searches, both professionally and in volunteer roles. Given the nature of municipal searches, we must prioritize transparency and balance the perspectives of multiple decision-makers, which can extend the timeline. This is our most pressing issue, as the choice of a new director will shape the culture, staff, and community for years to come.
What are your financial priorities for the Park District and how would you ensure they are realized?
My financial priorities for the Park District are centered on maintaining a balanced budget, making thoughtful spending decisions, and ensuring capital investments align with our long-term goals in the Strategic and Comprehensive Plans.
There is tremendous opportunity ahead with the recent purchase of the Beth Hillel property, which added nearly five acres to our park footprint without raising taxes. This was made possible by leveraging our Moody’s AAA bond rating and strong financial position, but it does limit some medium-term capital flexibility. Managing this balance will require careful financial oversight and discipline. WPD must begin planning and saving for the development of the new site, while continuing to fund capital investments. I will prioritize essential projects, keep spending aligned with needs, and think flexibly in the face of unforeseen expenses.
In March 2024, the Wilmette Park District announced it would implement access controls at South Beach in Gillson Park by installing a fence and charging entrance fees. In December 2024, it was announced that the Board of Park Commissioners had committed to continue managing access to South Beach in 2025. Please explain your position on managed access control at South Beach in Gillson Park.
Since introducing swimming at South Beach, concerns have been raised regarding aesthetics, lifeguarding, and access. The changes made in 2024 were recommended in good faith to improve safety for both beachgoers and the lifeguards working to keep everyone safe. While I recognize there are differing opinions and perspectives on these changes, the safety measures were implemented after careful consideration and were deemed to be in the best interest of the community. As a Board member, my responsibility is to represent the broader community’s needs, even when opinions differ. Wilmette Park District is committed to providing the safest, most accessible, and cost-effective swim beach north of the city.
The district listened to concerns and made several adjustments throughout the first summer. I acknowledge there’s room for improvement to both aesthetics and access, and I believe we will find ways to compromise on this complex issue. To ensure all viewpoints are heard, the Board commissioned independent focus groups to gather feedback and ideas from the community. I look forward to seeing the results of these discussions and considering the recommendations that come out of them.
In 2023, Wilmette government agencies hired a shared Sustainability Coordinator to implement programs that protect our environment, conserve natural resources, and address the climate crisis. In what areas do you feel the Park District has made the best use of this Coordinator's time, and where would you like to see increased focus?
This has been a highlight of intergovernmental cooperation, and I am proud of the work WPD has accomplished already. The Guide to Green Sustainability Plan, developed with extensive community input and launched within the Coordinator’s first year, is now guiding the District’s decision making and keeping sustainability at the forefront of everyone’s minds. It’s remarkable that we are one year into a four-year plan, and over 60% of the objectives are underway.
The Coordinator’s time spent collaborating with staff across each department is ensuring District-wide buy-in and accountability to the Plan, and the Marketing and Communications team does an excellent job highlighting District successes in this area. An area for increased focus could be community engagement and education, expanding on events such as Earth Day at Keay, and perhaps integrating sustainability mini-lessons into existing WPD programming. Another new focus for the Coordinator could be to help identify and implement the next solar panel opportunities within the district.