justin sheperd
Wilmette Village Board
candidate video
responses to voter guide questions
Introduction:
Please tell us about yourself, your qualifications and what prompted you to run for Village Trustee.
My name is Justin Sheperd, and I’m running for re-election to the Wilmette Village Board. Over the past four years, we’ve had a very productive Board, making meaningful progress on key priorities like public safety, infrastructure, and sustainability. I’m proud of the work we’ve done and am eager to continue building on that momentum. My decades-long career in finance has been instrumental to me as the Board has worked to make thoughtful investments in Wilmette while maintaining strong fiscal discipline. Serving as a Village Trustee has been an incredibly rewarding experience, and I am deeply grateful for the opportunity to help shape the vibrancy, success, and livability of our community.
My wife, Robin—a teacher at Glenbrook North—and I moved to Wilmette in 2005, and since then, we’ve grown our family to include two boys and a dog. We feel truly fortunate to call this remarkable community home.
Beyond my role as Trustee, I’ve been an active member of the community, serving as the past Chairman of the Board for the Cancer Wellness Center and, before my time on the Village Board, as a member of the Wilmette Plan Commission. These experiences have deepened my understanding of the needs and aspirations of our residents.
In my free time, I enjoy spending time with my family, reading, and jogging to the lakefront—a reminder of how special Wilmette truly is.
Questions:
1. What do you believe is the most pressing issue facing the Village of Wimette, and how would you address that issue as Village Trustee?
Balancing the capital investment needs of a historic community like Wilmette with our fiscal resources will always be a difficult tension. As I reflect on the role of the Village Board, I am reminded that our decisions extend far beyond the current term. The choices we make today will shape both the opportunities and challenges faced by future Boards, and we must approach these decisions with a long-term perspective.
Investing in key capital projects is a critical focus for me (see next question as well). It is the Board’s responsibility to strengthen the Village’s infrastructure in a way that maintains flexibility for future Boards—avoiding both the pitfalls of underinvestment, which can lead to costly future repairs, and the risks of overextending beyond our means. Thanks to the foresight and careful planning of previous Boards, we now have the opportunity to invest in projects like the police station.
2. What, if any, capital projects do you think the Village should undertake during your term, and what do you think of projects that are currently underway or proposed, such as a new police station? How do you propose funding new capital projects?
Capital projects are essential to ensuring the long-term safety, health, and vitality of Wilmette. During my time on the Village Board, we have worked collaboratively to evaluate and support key initiatives that address critical infrastructure needs and set the foundation for our community’s future. These efforts include the preliminary planning of a new police station, the replacement of lead service lines, and consistent investment in roads and alleys. Each of these projects reflects our shared commitment to enhancing the quality of life for all Wilmette residents while maintaining fiscal discipline.
The decision to construct a new police station is a significant step forward in ensuring public safety and operational efficiency. The current facility has long outlived its usefulness, with outdated infrastructure that no longer meets the needs of modern law enforcement. As a Board, we are working together to ensure the planning and design of the new facility address both current demands and future needs; balancing functionality, cost-efficiency, and impacts to the park and neighborhood.
The replacement of lead service lines, a state-mandated requirement, has also been a major focus. Our Board has developed a strategic approach to comply with the mandate while securing external funding through grants and low-interest loans to minimize the financial burden on homeowners. These efforts are part of a long-term plan to ensure the integrity of Wilmette’s water infrastructure.
Road and alley maintenance is another cornerstone of our infrastructure efforts. Each year, we update over three miles of roads, ensuring that our streets and alleys remain safe, functional, and well-maintained. These updates are part of our broader commitment to keeping Wilmette accessible and connected. We are currently evaluating and planning upgrades to key roadways, including Green Bay Road and Lake Avenue. Seeing these projects through is essential, with safety (for all modes of transportation—from pedestrians to cyclists to drivers) a top priority.
3. 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 Village has made the best use of this Coordinator's time, and where would you like to see increased focus?
The Village’s shared Sustainability Coordinator has been a tremendous success. Taking a holistic approach across the different agencies has not only created a more cohesive vision and game plan for sustainability, but is also cost effective.
When it comes to the Village Board’s actions, there are several key highlights that demonstrate Wilmette’s strong commitment to sustainability. In 2024, the Village prioritized communication on sustainability, sharing articles through its e-news and Communicator. These articles covered topics such as waste reduction strategies and recycling, native planting, and tree care, ensuring residents remained informed and engaged with sustainable practices.
The Village's recent tree ordinance program underscores the importance of protecting and enhancing Wilmette’s urban tree canopy. The program encourages the preservation of existing trees, mandates responsible removal and replacement practices, and educates residents on tree care and the environmental benefits of maintaining a healthy tree canopy. This initiative aligns with the Village's longstanding commitment to being a Tree City USA and enhances the overall ecological health and aesthetic appeal of the community.
On the renewable energy front, the Village has made significant progress by utilizing 100% renewable energy credits for internal utility accounts, including streetlights and water pumping and introducing renewable credits on a smaller scale (at no increased costs) to residents. Additionally, the Community Solar program underscores a forward-thinking approach to making solar energy both accessible and cost-effective for residents.
Another noteworthy accomplishment is the completion of a Greenhouse Gas Inventory. This initiative provides valuable data to better understand current emissions and identify actionable steps to reduce them. I believe that work and ways to act upon the findings will be an important use of the Sustainability Coordinator’s talents going forward.
On a personal level, the Village’s educational efforts have had a direct impact on my own behavior. Whether through tips on composting, electrification, or the importance of native plants, I’ve made meaningful changes in how I live day-to-day. These small actions are a testament to the power of education and outreach in inspiring residents to adopt more sustainable practices.
4. Currently, the Housing Commission is working on a Housing Plan. What is your position on the availability of affordable housing in Wilmette? How, if at all, would you address affordable housing in Wilmette?
I am a strong believer in our partnership with the Community Partners for Affordable Housing (CPAH) and its landbank program. These initiatives represent thoughtful approaches to creating and preserving affordable housing within the constraints of our built-out community.
As a mature, largely developed suburb, Wilmette faces unique challenges when it comes to increasing the availability of affordable housing. Our built-out nature means we have limited space to create new housing options, and pursuing large-scale affordable housing developments is often impractical. However, the CPAH partnership provides us with innovative tools to address this issue in a way that works for Wilmette.
By leveraging the land bank concept, CPAH can strategically acquire properties and repurpose them to meet our housing goals in regards to affordable housing. I am proud to support these efforts, as they reflect a balanced approach to affordable housing that aligns with Wilmette’s unique circumstances and long-term vision. So far 15 units have been completed or are underway and there is a potential for 19 more following Optima Lumina’s contribution.