Meet Frankfort Township Clerk Candidate: Stephanie Drisko

FRANKFORT, IL —Stephanie Drisko is one of two candidates running for Frankfort Township Clerk. Drisko previously taught high school chemistry and has a Bachelor's degree from Eastern Illinois University.

Drisko recently filled out the Patch candidate survey, and her answers can be found below:

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

Name:

Stephanie Drisko

Age (as of Election Day):

34

Town/City of Residence:

Frankfort

Office Sought:

Township board (clerk)

Party Affiliation (if a partisan race):

Democrat

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government?

My husband works for the Environmental Protection Agency and is currently running for Frankfort Library Trustee.

Education:

Bachelors in Science with Teacher endorsement from EIU

Occupation:

I taught high school chemistry for three years. When I had children, I decided to stay home with them. My youngest starts preschool next year giving me the time to devote to this position

Campaign website: Can be found here.

Previous or Current Elected or Appointed Office:

This is my first time running for elected office.

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

The single largest problem facing the board is the pandemic. The food pantry is a great resource for our community, but could expand services further, like including hygiene products and baby necessities. There is also a need to help people who have lost their job or wages during this last year. Furthermore, the board should be working with the health department to host vaccine drives to increase our community immunity. There are many ways the board can help our community during these unforeseen times, and it may take new eyes to see the many ways it can happen

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 believe Black Lives Matter, and we should always be looking for ways to ensure we have a welcoming and equitable community.

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 do not know of any attempts at racial equity made by the township.

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?

As a scientist, I am disappointed that the virus response has been made political. Many other countries are baffled at how this pandemic has been politicized to the extent that people are turning to violence because they do not like the science behind our new safety guidelines and laws. Science is not political it has no affiliation. Scientific knowledge will change and grow as more experiments are preformed, but that does not change the work and facts behind it.

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?

Overall, I think Illinois has done well with vaccine distribution for a state with our large population. We have used 85 percent of the vaccine we currently have (according to NPR), which puts us in the higher end of using the supply available. We should work to continue this effort at the township level. The township has transportation for seniors, and I think there needs to be a streamlined system the township could arrange the vaccine appointments and transportation.

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

I am not a politician. I have new ideas that can help the community.

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

The township board’s biggest problem is lack of communication. The website is difficult to use and rarely updated. The Facebook page posted only 10 times in 2020. There is plenty of room to improve resident communication and transparency. Furthermore, most people do not know that the township exists nor that it has services available. I am dedicated to bringing the website up to date, keeping it up to date, and designing new ways to communicate with our residents.

Describe the other issues that define your campaign platform:

I would like to see more activities for children in our area. I have children ages 2, 4 and 6, and know firsthand that families are always looking for family-friendly or child-centered events. We have many young families in this area that would use programming for their children, but the township has little to no programming for young people. For example, the township provides holiday parties for seniors, and I feel it would be very easy to have one for children around the same time.

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

One of my biggest accomplishments as a teacher was working on the school prom. I worked in an economically depressed area, but my colleagues and I were able to work hard enough to fundraise $25,000 from community partners for the school prom. This amount was about five times what the previous sponsors were able to raise, and our proms became the standard by which all others were judged. I endeavor to make changes wherever I can to make the world better for all of us

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

I will consider myself successful if residents are offered more varied programming and services that fit within the current levy, and that they actually know what is offered.

Why should voters trust you?

My past years as a teacher on the Mexican border gave me a new look on the world at large. Many of my students spoke little English, so I would have to get creative to teach chemistry without relying on words. I will thrive in whatever environment I am placed in, and believe communication and collaboration is key to any relationship, whether that is a teacher with students or government with residents.

I am a dedicated community member. I am a teacher, mother, and scientist running to serve our community.

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

I see fiscal responsibility as being mindful that every penny spent will benefit the people. I am disappointed about the inability to look at the township finances to say how well money is being spent now. Transparency and responsibility go hand-in-hand.

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

If elected, I plan to serve a full term.

The best advice ever shared with me was:

Be Kind Anyway.

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

I am a wife of a combat veteran, mother of three young children, and thoroughly invested in the success of our community.

I am a teacher with a widely varied past, living in other states and working jobs from manual labor to administrative positions. My family chose to settle in Frankfort to be close to family, and we plan to stay in this wonderful community.

I know that my life experiences can bring a fresh perspective to our local government. I am running for Clerk because I want to make and keep our township government efficient, transparent, and resident-centered. I look forward to earning your vote for Frankfort Township Clerk.