Meet Chris Gilmartin: Downers Grove Village Board Candidate

DOWNERS GROVE, IL — Chris Gilmartin is running for a seat on the Downers Grove village board in the 2021 Consolidated Election, which is April 6. Below, you'll find Gilmartin's answers to the Patch candidate questionnaire.

If you are a candidate for the April election, and would like to answer our Patch candidate questionnaire, email lisa.farver@patch.com.

Chris Gilmartin

Age (as of Election Day)

49

Town/City of Residence

Downers Grove

Office Sought

Village board or city council

Party Affiliation (if a partisan race)

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government?

My wife is a public school administrator and My father-in-law sits on the US 6th Circuit Court of Appeals

Education

Bachelors of Science in Public Relations and Human Communications

Occupation

CEO/Founder of Lever Interactive and Coming of Age. 14 years in current role, 25 years experience in marketing

Campaign website

www.chrisgilmartin.com

Previous or Current Elected or Appointed Office

Appointed to the Downers Grove Human Services Ad Hoc Committee

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

Without question, the most pressing issue facing our Village is the COVID-19 pandemic. This disease has impacted nearly every facet of life, in ways that were unimaginable only just a year ago. The impact on the physical and mental health of residents is immeasurable, and I fear the economic impact on our Village has only just begun.

Yet, I also believe that the politicization of the disease, our lackluster response, and the role of personal vs. societal responsibility has surfaced - or simply shed more light on - a divide between neighbors.

As a member of the Village Council, I intend to focus on two areas where the pandemic has had a devastating impact – boosting economic growth and connecting struggling residents with the support services they need.

Driving Economic Growth

• I will spearhead efforts, in coordination with Economic Development Corporation (EDC), the Downtown DG Management Corporation, and the Village Council to ensure that we are proactive in our efforts to support our local businesses, and attract new businesses, big and small, to Downers Grove. I am convinced that thriving in these challenging times, requires measured coordination of all the key stakeholders in our local economy, and as Village Commissioner, it will be my responsibility to ensure the Council does all it can in supporting these efforts.
• I will work to develop ways to encourage and support entrepreneurship in our Village. As the pandemic has pushed people out of urban areas, startups and emerging companies will be more open to starting businesses in the suburbs. With our proximity to two major airports and easy access to and from the city, Downers Grove could develop a strong start-up friendly community. As a long-time mentor, I would welcome the opportunity to use my role on the Council as a conduit in supporting a diverse group of entrepreneurs.
• I will push and support smart, business-friendly initiatives, and policies, that include flexibility and foresight as we strive to build a thriving local economy. As a data-driven leader, I would seek direction from key economic data sets to inform my decision-making on policies that effect our local economy.
• I will seek input from existing businesses on how the Village can support them and, in turn support policies that help them adapt to the changing environment. This requires an understanding of the shift in the economy and arming our existing businesses with training and tools to adapt their businesses accordingly. The purchasing behaviors of consumers have changed drastically, with brick and mortar giving up more and more to online shopping every year. The pandemic has accelerated this shift, and as Village Commissioner I would tap into my 15 years of business-ownership experience to tap into ways I could support my fellow business owners. While we still await tax revenue from the Leveling the Playing Field Act, I would propose programs that encourage online shoppers to shop online from local retailers, as the Village collects tax from many of those transactions.
• I will examine ways other cities have turned around their economies for solutions that could help us weather the storm and thrive beyond the pandemic.

Supporting Services for Residents

• I will support and push for the Village Council to take a more active role in helping our residents who are most in need. As a former member of the DG Human Services Ad Hoc Committee (HSAHC), I helped develop and deliver specific recommendations to the current Village Council on ways the Village can better serve those of our residents who are in most need.
• I will use the data from meeting with key members of various organizations who provide services to Downers Grove residents, including the Chief of Police, Fire Chief, School District Superintendents, DG Library and various nonprofit groups to help the Council map out what issues are most pressing, and how the Village can help.
• I will work to create a dashboard of key metrics that will help the Village measures the impact of its efforts to help promote and connect individuals with available social services.
• I will support an effort to reactivate the dormant Human Services Committee so that we as a Village have a clear understanding of the social issues that impact our residents, and a dedicated resource to help address these issues quickly.

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 do support Black Lives Matter, and, moved and angered by the murder of George Floyd, attended the peaceful BLM rally that was held in Downers Grove. I fully support the rights of any peaceful demonstrators.

I understand the importance of supporting law enforcement, but there is a standard of accountability that law enforcement must be held to. I learned this from my father. He is a retired NY Police Officer. As a sergeant in the late 1970’s, my father conducted some of the very first Ethics Awareness Workshops, as part of the Mayor’s task force to fight widespread corruption in the NYPD. His example of serving the community with the highest ethical standard is an inspiration for me to continue our family’s commitment to public service.

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

I have seen recent glimmers of support from specific commissioners and was pleased to see diversity training in the approved FY21 budget, but I believe our Council could do much more to support racial equality awareness and diversity/inclusion efforts. I believe the lack of racial diversity in our Village makes it easy for the Village to forgo, or ignore opportunities to show support for racial equality, when in fact it should be more proactive in communicating this support. This is an area where we need to lead rather than follow.

As commissioner, I will be a conduit for, and a student of individuals and groups within the Village who are well-versed in racial inclusivity, so that we can drive awareness campaigns designed to promote inclusivity, with support from residents, local business and community leaders, and our schools.

Further still, I have mentioned my father's involvement in being an early contributor to ethical standards training in his career as a police officer. Naturally, being raised by parents with inclusive mindsets has instilled the importance of equality and human rights in my DNA.

That said, there is much more work to be done to continue evolving ethical standards across the board - from our public service officers, to local leaders, and expecting a higher standard from our own friends and neighbors. My plan is not to lose sight of the importance of inclusivity and ensure that fairness and equality are cornerstones of our growing, vibrant community.

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?

The national response has been a disaster. While I am sympathetic to the needs of local businesses to survive, I am in favor of restricting business but with a federally supported plan to provide financial support for those businesses who must abide by the restrictions. In 2009, sectors such as the automobile industry were propped up through government funded loans designed to help keep nearly 4 million Americans working - and it worked. We pay millions subsidizing various industries every year.

The restaurant industry employs about 20 million people (USBLP) and I believe a proportional response should have been taken sooner. We have seen the numbers rise and fall with direct association to our roller coaster of restrictions and loosened guidance over the last year. It's clear that we need a streamlined approach to continuing to curb the virus as vaccines become more available.

Regarding masks, there should have been a mask mandate implemented in the early days of the pandemic, but I am generally pleased with the adherence to mask wearing in public. I believe we need to listen to the medical experts and their recommended guidelines while continuing to emphasize the need of our citizens to be responsible for the health and wellness of the entire community.

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 vaccine distribution rollout has also had disastrous start, but as the effort becomes more coordinated I have full faith that we'll be able to immunize our community to the degree that will allow us to become safer and bring us closer to the end of this crisis. Greater coordination of local and national efforts will be key as we continue the distribution efforts.

While the growing vaccination rates are promising, we still need to ramp up our current efforts while continuing to build the overall awareness and general education on the safety and efficacy of vaccinations. I look forward to being able to join discussions pertaining to this initiative while also listening to our community's feedback on vaccine accessibility.

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

The Village is essentially a services-based organization. I am the only candidate who has successfully built, run and grown two successful services-based organizations, having the financial acumen to steward both successfully and profitably through the recession of 2008, and the current pandemic.

I am a skilled negotiator, and consensus builder, having secured multiple seven figure contracts, with several Fortune 500 companies and run an organization that is responsible for managing client budgets of nearly $50 million annually.

I am a seasoned, award winning digital marketer, who also has an expertise in helping organizations communicate with boomer and senior populations.

Aside from the two incumbents, I am the only candidate to have served on a Village Committee (Human Services Ad Hoc Committee).

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

I think the lack of clear movement on the Human Services Ad Hoc Committee recommendations is an example that the current board is not fully supporting the community. The Ad Hoc committee was formed in 2019 to determine whether the Human Services Committee should be reinstated – a step in the right direction. However, two years, and two committee reports later and there hasn’t been any significant movement toward reinstating the committee or enacting any of the recommendations.

I think another recent example is the decision not to allow recreational marijuana dispensaries. Those who opposed this ordinance appeared to do so with opinion and personal bias rather than with a thorough risk/reward analysis. Months (maybe years) of potential tax revenue – much of which could be useful during this time – was lost in this slow decision-making process. I was pleased to see it eventually pass, but I fear the opportunity for significant incremental tax revenue may be diminished based on other municipalities having acted faster to approve.

Describe the other issues that define your campaign platform

In addition to what I have shared regarding economic growth and social services support, there are a few additional priorities I will initiate as Village Commissioner.
I will work to support initiatives that increase the vibrancy of our Downtown district. The Downtown district is a critical attraction for existing and potential residents. I believe Downtown should serve as an economic and cultural hub. Downtown businesses are at risk of failure because of a shift in buying behaviors, paired with the impact of the pandemic. A coordinated effort to bring in more tourism into Downtown will be paramount in helping the Downtown District to survive and thrive. I will look to create and support initiatives that generate vibrancy and experiences Downtown designed to attract residents and non-residents alike.

With such great access to the city of Chicago, close proximity to airports and highways and an active business community, Downers Grove could be an excellent choice for startups and emerging companies to call “HQ.” As commissioner, I will explore ways to work with local business leaders, colleges and community organizations for ways we could make Downers Grove more attractive to startups, through mentorships, incentives and programs that attract up-and-coming entrepreneurs.

Brick-and-mortar stores are closing at an alarming rate. Analysts estimate that by 2026, 25% of all shopping will be online (up from 16% this year). The pandemic has been an accelerant to this and will likely shift this further. While the Village will see some revenue from the tax levied on ecommerce transactions through the Leveling the Playing Field Act, I will actively participate in a concerted effort by the Village and other stakeholders, to support current retailers, while attracting new ones.

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

Several of my accomplishments would indicate that I would not only be able to handle this job but add valuable expertise that would enhance the dynamic mix of the Village Council. To start, I have successfully led two service-based organizations that have continued to grow even during times of crisis such as the recession in 2008 and currently today during the pandemic. This is not only a testament to my get-it-done approach but also highlights my ability to lead.

Additionally, I worked collaboratively on the Human Service Ad Hoc Committee to develop a succinct priority plan to assist the Village in serving our residents. This experience has been invaluable by giving me direct insight into how our local government functions but has also placed a spotlight on the opportunities and challenges that should be a focus for the Village Council. I plan on actively tying the decisions made on the committee to actionable change that can truly better our community.

And finally, I have the prowess and experience working with companies and organizations of all sizes including Fortune 500 companies and local businesses alike, which is critically important experience for Downers Grove leaders as our Village has a dynamic mix of large and small business. This also ties back to my financial acumen having negotiated multi-million-dollar contracts with national brands, which highlights my economic experience that will become so necessary as we all work together to build from the current financial downturn we're experiencing.

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

The current stagnation of recommendations given by the Downers Grove Human Services Committee, in which I was actively involved, is a great example of the slow nature of our current Council's ability to act on guidance. I see it as a personal challenge to not only act on those specific recommendations, but also work to smooth out any wrinkles in the system that may be causing delays in our ability to effectively provide the community with timely support.

Why should voters trust you?

I have a strong sense of responsibility to the various constituencies in my life. I am an empathic leader, who has a commitment to taking care of my employees. Aside from providing competitive salaries, a diverse and welcoming culture, I also provide employees with a generous profit-sharing program, and cover 100% of their insurance premiums. Perhaps more importantly, I have been both a mentor for many of my employees helping them launch successful careers as well as a business advisor for many of my companies' long-time clients - both of which are relationships that can only be built on trust.

I also used my appointment to the Human Services Ad Hoc Committee to not only make a difference in the community, but more specifically to begin building dependable resources that our entire Village can utilize and trust. My work with the group has garnered me esteemed praise from our local leaders with varying degrees of political allegiance.

I'm a candidate who is driven by being a member of the community who wants to be actively involved. I am not a career politician and plan to only serve our community with principles guided by the overall betterment of our Village. Honesty and integrity are two of the most important attributes needed in our political sphere today.

Lastly, but perhaps most importantly, I am an active parent volunteer and thoroughly enjoy supporting our local school and activity groups with time and financial support. Causally, this has provided me with a local reputation as an involved parent, steadfast contributor, and active member of our community.

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

My views on fiscal policy, spending, and handling of taxpayer dollars can essentially by tied back to the financial principles that have successful led my two businesses. I believe it is the role for any municipal governing group to act as the steward of our finances and maximize the level of service and value that supports the local community. I will take the responsibility - and accountability - of budgeting and spending as serious as I have with my business and personal finances.

I believe that spending should maximize the opportunity for the betterment of all of our residents without blanketing economic policy in a “one-size-fits-all” approach. There must be a balance between government support, local spending, and tax dollar management that fits the local need, without adhering to a singular economic approach.

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

My commitment to keeping my businesses local, and personal involvement with community to-date should stand as testament to my commitment to serve the Village through the entirety of my term. Should I be elected, I would also commit to serving long-term as consistency is necessary in order to establish and deliver on any ambitious agenda.

The best advice ever shared with me was:

When I graduated from college, my father handed me his "rolodex" and say start calling people, network, and you will land a job soon enough. On one of those very first calls, one of the people I called praised his suggestion and said “Every person you meet knows something you can learn.” That has stuck with me all these years and I am constantly reminded of this on a regular basis.

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

I encourage all voters to research as much as they can across all candidates. In a time where holding in-person fundraisers, going door-to-door and holding live “meet-the-candidate” events seem irresponsible, I encourage residents to visit my website, www.chrisgilmartin.com, which aims to provide the community with a resource to get to know me better as a first-time candidate.

If nothing else, I would hope our residents will learn that I am a capable and qualified leader, an active member of our community, a loving and devoted husband and father, and simply, a local neighbor who wants to be involved and make a difference.