Annette Lidawer: Candidate For Highland Park City Council

HIGHLAND PARK, IL — Ahead of the April 6 consolidated municipal elections, Highland Park Patch provided questionnaires to all candidates on the ballot.

Six candidates are seeking three available seats on the Highland Park City Council. Only one of the three incumbents with an expiring term in office is running for re-election.

Highland Park Patch is publishing all responses submitted by candidates verbatim and in the order they have been received.

Annette Lidawer

Age (as of Election Day)
64

City of Residence
Highland Park

Office Sought
Highland Park City Council Member

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government? No

Education
AB, Brown University
JD, Case Western Reserve University

Occupation
Attorney, 5 years full-time

Campaign website
AnnetteLidawerForCityCouncil.com

Previous or Current Elected or Appointed Office

Current - Commissioner, City of Highland Park Plan & Design Commission
Former - President and Board Member, Township High School District 113 Board of Education
Former - Board Member, Community School District 22, Brooklyn NY

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

Recovering from the COVID-19 pandemic and emerging stronger than before is the most pressing issue. I will help lead our local economic development initiatives to attract and retain business with emphasis on rebuilding creatively post-pandemic.

As a Plan & Design Commissioner for the City of Highland Park, I’ve worked to accommodate petitioners – businesses, public entities and individuals alike to ensure their successful projects. Despite its ravages, the pandemic is an opportunity for Highland Park to reset and reinvigorate our citizens and businesses.

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

There are two factors which distinguish me from the other candidates: experience, and the endorsements of a wide range of local elected officials.

First, my 35 year record of public service has given me a depth and breadth of experience which will be invaluable in serving on the City Council. In my career, I have served at all levels of government (federal, state and local) and in many functions (representative, managerial and oversight). The knowledge, skills and experience I have developed over my career will enable me to effectively work on the City’s business from my first day on the job.

Over the last twenty years, I have learned the inner workings of the City of Highland Park and its many sister governments, agencies and partners. When I served on the Township High School District 113 Board for two terms, and especially during my time as vice-president and then president, I worked with officials from the City, Park District, District 113, North Shore School District 112 and the Library Board. Intergovernmental collaboration was the cornerstone of all our successful initiatives. As a Commissioner for Highland Park’s Plan & Design Commission (PDC), I reviewed key proposals coming before the City Council. The City looks to the PDC to hold public hearings and to do the in-depth research as to the merits of a proposed project.

The second thing which sets me apart from the other candidates is the long list of current and former elected officials and community leaders who have endorsed me. I am honored to have earned their endorsements, and I believe I have done so because they have the personal knowledge of what I can do and how I can bring people together.

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

While I do not believe that the current Council has failed the community, I would like to take this rare opportunity during and following the pandemic to re-evaluate our initiatives long-term and determine how well they meet our current or future needs.

My experience enables me to immediately address issues of safety, infrastructure, fiscal stability and community vibrancy with a fresh perspective. I listen to constituents and peers and act on their suggestions. Much can be gained by thoughtful, creative, discourse with responsive follow up. In addition to my professional experience, I bring my legal background, institutional knowledge and negotiating skills to the decision-making process.

Describe the other issues that define your campaign platform

In addition to more long-term planning and fresh thinking about economic development, community cohesiveness and vibrancy are essential. Post-pandemic, I also want to ensure that we do not lose sight of our core priorities of public safety, fiscal stability, infrastructure and community vibrancy.

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

I was responsible for overseeing the implementation of the $114 million renovation of both high schools in District 113. This was done with a wide range of community involvement and input from the public. This project created state-of-the-art facilities which will serve the community for the next forty years. I am particularly proud that we implemented the project on time, on budget and within scope.

Similarly, the Community School Board I served on in New York City gave me the chance every day to accomplish something substantial. It was a very complex and challenging environment - the district had 31,000 students in its 25 elementary and middle schools. The district contained one of the widest mixes of immigrants of any area in the country. I trained parents to serve on PTOs and helped local schools with outreach, fundraisers and inclusion of all parents, especially immigrants.

While serving on the PDC, I have studied, listened to presentations and public hearings and made recommendations regarding the redevelopment of the former Saks building, the elimination of some commercial zoning restrictions in downtown Highland Park and the addition of adult use marijuana in a safe, regulated manner to raise revenue for the City. These recommendations from PDC were ultimately accepted by the City Council.

Why should voters trust you?

My professional and volunteer work provides a strong base of experience to continue serving the public. I have contributed to this community by listening, learning and implementing strategies and programs based on the needs of residents. My experience, commitment and collaborative attitude engender trust and the respect of colleagues. The fact that so many former and current elected officials have endorsed me underscores a confidence in my work and commitment to collaborative relationships.

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

I would view my term in office a success when there is additional vibrancy in downtown Highland Park and an influx of people who live in our community and patronize our businesses. I’d like to see storefronts filled, house sales active and our trails, parks and open spaces in full use. I would like to leave my term in office with Highland Park in a better place than it is in now.

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

Despite the pandemic and various aid provided to businesses during the pandemic, our City has maintained a balanced budget. While I envision additional assistance and incentives may be necessary post-pandemic, we must be vigilant in balancing between ‘wants’ and ‘needs’. Government spending may need to be curtailed to meet the balanced budget objectives and fiscal conservatism is essential to maintain our bond rating and fiduciary responsibility to all taxpayers.

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 support Black Lives Matter. I am committed to all efforts to further the objectives of inclusiveness, fairness and equity in our community. The Black Lives Matter movement has been a positive force in awakening communities across the country to the injustice and intolerance that still exists in our society. We’ve seen throughout history how demonstrations can play an important role in ending injustice and intolerance, but these demonstrations must be done in a peaceful and non-destructive way.

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

Yes. The current administration has made a tremendous effort to raise awareness of diversity, equity and inclusion. Between communications to the community, the upcoming City equity audit, outreach, the “Hate Has No Home Here” campaign, public statements and support of peaceful protests, the Mayor and City Council have shown that racial equality is a value to be promoted in Highland Park. I look forward to continuing and expanding their efforts.

The City’s Police Department is also committed to fair and equitable policing and protection for all citizens. It has been engaged in recruitment, training and practices to that effect for years. With input from the public, in 2018, Highland Park’s Police Department was amongst the first to adopt the ‘Shared Principles of Public Safety’ rejecting discrimination, valuing every life and treating every person with dignity and respect. Collaboration and acceptance from all governments and residents is essential to a peaceful, inclusive, welcoming and thriving 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 directive was wholly insufficient: it was constantly changing and negatively impacted the state and local responses. Highland Park does not have a public health department and relies on experts, outside resources, the County and State. Highland Park’s response was largely mandated by the State of Illinois whose response was based on scientific findings with input from health officials. I do support measures limiting the restriction of non-essential businesses and restrictions on indoor/outdoor dining in the short term. I also favor a local mask mandate.

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 of the vaccine is underway by the State of Illinois and the counties as an entirely new and broad effort. Local governments could help roll out this effort. Local governments need to be given as much information as possible about providers so that they can recruit additional providers locally, assist providers with their rollouts by making parking available, loosening local parking or curfew regulations, recruiting volunteers and communicating to the public regarding encouragement to register, availability and hours. Highland Park does not have its own health department, but it does have the resources to work collaboratively with the County and State thereby enabling these entities to be more efficient.

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:

“Give to your community, it is always giving to you.”

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

I am committed to improving life in Highland Park and I want to hear from all residents regarding their concerns. Highland Park is special because of our residents and our sense of community. My husband and I chose to raise our family here and to continue to live here even after our children had grown. We cherish the community that is Highland Park and appreciate how fortunate we are to be a part of it.