Des Plaines Seventh Ward Candidates Talk Top Priorities

We asked Des Plaines aldermanic candidates about their backgrounds, qualifications, plans if elected and more in election questionnaires.

Joseph Kozenczak, John Malloy and Joanna Sojka are seeking the post.

The aldermanic candidates answered the question, what would your priorities be if elected to this office?, with the responses below. Check out the complete questionnaire for each candidate by clicking on his or her name.

Joseph Kozenczak:

• Maintaining and enhancing services without imposing financial burdens.
• Assuring the health, safety and security of our families by working closely with our public safety departments.
• Insuring that casino revenues will be spent in the best interest of taxpayers.
• Evaluating and working with the City Administration to improve the infrastructure issues in our ward including street resurfacing projects, curbs and gutters, flood control, enhanced tree replacement and other projects deemed a priority by the residents.
• Making sure that our seniors and our young people's needs are accommodated.
• Interacting with other political bodies such as school districts, park districts, townships, county and state government to enhance communications and services.
• Maintaining a business retention philosophy, as well as furthering economic development, by encouraging new business growth in our ward and the community.
• Focusing on our wards aesthetic appearance.

John Malloy:

To reduce regulation on both businesses and homeowners.

To limit government control.

To encourage others to also run for office.

Joanna Sojka:

My top priority as Alderman would be providing the Seventh Ward residents with open, transparent access to city hall. The Seventh Ward is spread out geographically and very diverse. We have single-family homes, townhouses, duplexes, rental apartments, and condominiums; some neighborhoods are older while others are still being developed. As alderman, I would make it my priority to be aware of all the different needs of these neighborhoods and their residents. Along with regular Ward meetings, I would make myself accessible through a webpage dedicated to Seventh Ward issues. I would also disseminate a newsletter to keep residents updated on the most important happenings in city hall. Finally, I would solicit input and ideas from residents via social media and the Seventh Ward webpage. This is all in addition to monthly ward meetings and being available to meet in person. Any alderman that does not prioritize openness, transparency, and accessibility is doing their constituents a disservice.

Other priorities that I would focus on, if elected, include:

• Fostering a sound and stable fiscal environment by restraining spending and paying off outstanding debt.
• Keeping local taxes as low as possible without decreasing the level of services.
• Using casino revenue to pay down the City’s debt and toward infrastructure projects.
• Revitalizing Metropolitan Square by breaking down bureaucratic barriers for prospective business owners.
• Working with Police and neighborhood volunteers to keep our streets safe.

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