Gary Grasso Is Running For Burr Ridge Mayor 2019

Gary Grasso wants to earn your vote for the 2019 Burr Ridge mayoral elections on April 2. As a resident of Burr Ridge for the past 27 years and as the former mayor (May 2005 to December 2012), Grasso believes that he is the ideal candidate for the job. Learn more about Grasso's experience, priorities and qualifications in this exclusive Patch one-on-one:

Patch: How long have you been a part of the community?

Grasso: My family and I have happily called Burr Ridge home for the last 27 years. My wife, Janet, and I have been married for 40 years, always living in Illinois, and raised our six children here. We have had the good fortune to show our children all the beauty and amenities that make Burr Ridge “a very special place.”

I had the privilege of serving Burr Ridge as its mayor between 2005 and 2012. During that
period, I, along with the Village Board and Plan Commission, developed Burr Ridge into what people know it to be today. I oversaw the development of the Village Center, Police Station,
Veterans Memorial and Loyola Medical Center. During those years, we also conceived and started the approval process for the branded bridge over I-55, brought Brookhaven to County Line Square, approved Eddie Merlot’s, the completion of the Marriott on Burr Ridge Parkway, beautified County Line Road, and started the summer concerts that have become a highly anticipated community event each year. These accomplishments were all done without raising taxes or increasing spending.

After serving the residents of Burr Ridge, I was elected to become a DuPage County Board
member for District 3 between 2012 and 2018. During that time, I also became chairman of the
911 (ETS) Board. As a County Board member, I advocated for and supported the DuPage ACT
Initiative - Accountability, Consolidation and Transparency in local government.

As 911 Chairman, I led the ETSB in the construction of two state-of-the-art call centers that
both opened in 2018 to make DuPage ETSB-911 the standard for technology and fast response
when you dial 911— and I also facilitated with Chief Madden in bringing all of Burr Ridge (Cook and DuPage sides) into that 911 system so that we would all benefit from those new call centers. I also spoke out about the heroin/opioid crisis and obtained funding for school programs on the dangers of opioids.

Last August, I was among the first county officials to stand up and then join others demanding
that Sterigenics cease operations. I also supported the lawsuit filed by the State and DuPage County to close its operations in Willowbrook. Again, public safety is government’s primary purpose.

Patch: What attracted you to the line of work you’re in, and how did you get started?

Grasso: I was the first in my rather large extended family to graduate from college (Georgetown University). My mother worked as a court clerk and I loved American history and the law. I was fortunate to attend law school at night while I worked and paid for school. I graduated from Fordham University School of Law, married Janet the same day and accepted a job at a small general litigation and municipal law firm. I then joined a larger Chicago litigation law firm and rose to partner.

Public service is in my blood and I assure you I did not choose to serve you for the pay. From 2005 to 2009, the mayor received $100 a month as a stipend and the trustees received zero. As we were working day and night on growing Burr Ridge while protecting home values (in addition to our careers and balancing family time), the Board contemplated and voted to pay the next sitting mayor $500 a month and the next sitting trustees $250.00 a month each. I was elected Mayor again in 2009.

At the start of this year I was being seriously considered for a judgeship appointment in DuPage County. I had to decide whether to choose becoming a judge—the pinnacle of an attorney’s career—or serving the community of Burr Ridge. I advised the Advisory Board that was overseeing my appointment that, right now, it was more important for me to return as the Mayor of Burr Ridge— to help serve the residents and businesses of Burr Ridge and keep it “a very special place.”

Patch: If you had to sum up your mission to a stranger in five words, what would those be?

Grasso: Consensus. Civility. Community. Achievement. Experience.

Patch: How would you say you distinguish yourself from your competition?

Grasso: Experience and achievements. I have a proven track record in the law and in my public service that my opponent cannot match. If you look at my past tenure as Burr Ridge Mayor, the Board and I did not raise taxes on the residents. We were also a Board serving during one of the worst financial times we have ever seen. Because of my experience, we were able to lead Burr Ridge towards progress by creatively supporting the I-55 branded bridge you see today, all without raising taxes on the residents. During that time, our Village was, and still is, one of the few villages with Triple-A bond rating. This allowed us to build and grow Burr Ridge through a state-of-the-art police department with essentially free money— borrowing at less than one percent rather than trading in the village’s resources during a recession was a no-brainer.

Patch: Are there any new projects or endeavors you’re working on that you’re excited about?

Grasso: My focus as mayor centers around public health and safety, along with improving our property value. I will continue to demand the shutdown of Sterigenics and do everything in my mayoral power to facilitate this objective.

I have already participated in meetings with the new owners of the Village Center to discuss its
growth and success in having a fully leased Village Center. I also look forward to facilitating the development of the 15-acre TCF Bank site so that it complements the businesses in the Village Center and County Line Square.

I would like to reactivate the 501c program I started for special projects and equipment, where
residents with means could volunteer to fund a specific project or equipment needed for the Village.

Patch: How can Patch readers learn more about you?

Grasso: You can follow my Facebook Page “Gary Grasso 4 Burr Ridge Mayor.” For more information on my candidacy, google Gary Grasso.

This Patch article is sponsored by Gary Grasso.