Algonquin Village Board Election 2021: Janis Jasper

ALGONQUIN, IL — Four candidates are running for three open seats on the Algonquin Village Board this spring.

Patch.com recently sent surveys to candidates running for this year's local election. Here are the responses for Janis Jasper:

Age (as of Election Day)

64

Town/City of Residence

Algonquin

Office Sought

Village board or city council

Party Affiliation (if a partisan race)

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government?

No

Education

B.A. Education, M.A. Education

Occupation

Retired teacher - 34 years

Campaign website

Facebook.com/jasperforalgonquintrustee

Previous or Current Elected or Appointed Office

Village of Algonquin trustee

The single most pressing issue facing our (board, district, etc.) is _______, and this is what I intend to do about it.

At the moment it is to make sure that the village, its residents and its businesses come back strong, if not stronger, from the pandemic. We have taken steps (opening outdoor dining, delaying water fee increases, supporting county, state and federal health guidelines) to help everyone get through the initial stages of the pandemic. Now we will be doing whatever we can to facilitate the vaccination process.

Do you support Black Lives Matter and what are your thoughts on the demonstrations held since the death of George Floyd and the shooting of Jacob Blake?

I totally support the Black Lives Matter movement and will look for ways to bring these issues into the consciousness of the Board in all that we do. Our society can benefit from having these difficult conversations

Do you think the current board has done enough to support racial equality, and if not, what specifically should be done to do so?

The topic of racial equality has not been addressed directly by the Board, but this is a dialogue that should be happening.

What are your thoughts on the national and local coronavirus response? Do you favor measures such as limiting operation of non-essential businesses and restricting indoor/outdoor dining? And do you favor a local mask mandate?

I have been very supportive and appreciative of the hard choices that Governor Pritzker made at the beginning of the pandemic – all in the interests of keeping us safe. I trust that his decisions are made based on the science and the experts that he relies on are the top of their field. I think we need to continue being vigilant - we are not in a position yet where we should be abandoning all of the precautions that have been in place.

What are your thoughts on the state and local coronavirus vaccine distribution, and how do you think local governments should work together to handle vaccine rollout?

The rollout is being handled at the state and county level. Algonquin has already made itself available to the appropriate agencies to provide any assistance that they may require.

What are the critical differences between you and the other candidates seeking this post?

I believe that anyone who runs for public office has the best intentions for the position at heart. I will just say that after four years on the Board I find that I have a real interest and passion for this work. It has been an honor to work on behalf of the residents and business owners in Algonquin and I am hoping to continue for another four years.

If you are a challenger, in what way has the current board or officeholder failed the community (or district or constituency)

I am an incumbent.

Describe the other issues that define your campaign platform

There are two issues that I would like to move forward if re-elected -
Four years ago I ran in order to increase transparency between the Board and our constituents. The pandemic has shown us that we can make our meetings more available to the public without much expense. I will advocate for continuing to offer our meetings in this format even after the Board can return to in-person meetings. I would also like to hold occasional Zoom meetings myself in order to reach out to our residents and business owners.
Algonquin is already committed to protecting and preserving our environment, so I think the next step for us is to engage the public. I will see how we can form a citizen’s advisory council that will look into ways that Algonquin can innovate and become a regional leader in environmental matters.

What accomplishments in your past would you cite as evidence you can handle this job?

Thirty four years as a teacher has prepared me to be a good listener and problem solver. Thirty years as an officer in my local teacher association has given me leadership skills.
Four years on the Board have taught me how a municipality runs and how to keep track of many moving parts. During these four years I have sought out experiences that would enhance my knowledge base in order to make informed decisions. I have attended meetings with business owners, have toured all of the village facilities, communicate regularly with village management, have attended various village commission meetings and personally met many of our commission members. I am eager to continue in this position and serving the residents and businesses of Algonquin.

If you win this position, what accomplishment would make your term in office as a success?

I would very much like to leave behind me the environmental advisory council that I mentioned in a previous question. This would accomplish two goals of mine – bring more resident input into the work of the village and make Algonquin the environmental leader that I know we can be.

Why should voters trust you?

The voters can always depend on me to listen to their concerns, do my research and homework for every issue that comes before the Board and to vote in the best interests of the village. We may not always agree on the best course of action, but I firmly believe that all sides have a right to be heard and their concerns addressed.

What are your views on fiscal policy, government spending and the use of taxpayer dollars in the office you are seeking?

Algonquin has a well-deserved reputation for its fiscal responsibility and I have worked to be a part of that. As a Board member I have kept watch over village finances but always mindful that not all spending is bad. We have upgraded our infrastructure and technical capabilities which makes it possible for our staff to do their jobs more efficiently. We are very fortunate that our staff is always looking for ways to improve the village.

Is there any reason you would not serve your full term of office, other than those of health or family?

No.

The best advice ever shared with me was:

Be open to the possibilities.

What else would you like voters to know about yourself and your positions?

I would very much like to serve another term on the Algonquin Board. I stand on my record and hope that the residents approve of my work.