Ana Mendez McGuinnes: Candidate For Northbrook Trustee

NORTHBROOK, IL — Ahead of the April 6 consolidated municipal elections, Northbrook Patch provided questionnaires to all candidates on the ballot.

Six candidates are vying for three four-year trustee seats on the Northbrook Village Board on Election Day. They are incumbents Muriel J. Collison and Daniel H. Pepoon, and challengers Robert Burns, Joy Ebhomielen, Christopher Lay and Ana Mendez McGuinnes. Current Trustee Kathryn L. Ciesla is running for Village President, leaving her seat up for grabs, with Sandra E. Frum set to retire. She will be challenged by Eugene Marks for president.

Ciesla, Collison, Ebhomielen and Pepoon have received the backing of the Northbrook Caucus of 2021. Burns, Lay, Marks and McGuinnes are being endorsed by United4Northbrook.

Northbrook Patch is publishing all responses submitted by candidates verbatim.

Ana Mendez McGuinnes

Age (as of Election Day)

51

Town/City of Residence

Northbrook

Office Sought

Village board or city council

Party Affiliation (if a partisan race)

Independent

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government?

My husband is a police officer.

Education

I have law degrees in Mexico and in the United States. I have a master’s degree in corporations.

Occupation

I have been in private practice for over 30 years. I do foreign incentives work, negotiating agreements with local and federal governments for companies, as well as foreign legal consulting.

Campaign website

www.united4nortbrook.com

Previous or Current Elected or Appointed Office

None, I have always been in the private sector.

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

We need to reset the board’s priorities. Northbrook requires a board with a local focus. The Village Board needs to prioritize public safety and fiscal responsibility, which we can achieve through the support and development of local businesses looking for alternatives to incentivize growth. Decisions should be made in a transparent fashion by listening to residents with an eye toward benefiting the community.

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?

United4Northbrook strongly denounces any type of racism. Our focus shall always be one of acceptance, diversity and inclusion and working together as a community to bring peace and create tolerance among all of us, while also denouncing extreme violence or damaging activism from any political organization. We do not support “defunding the police”, which hurts communities, especially minorities like myself.

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

Although claims are made by the Board about valuing diversity, there is little done to engage the existing diverse populations in Northbrook. Services to immigrants are limited or non-existent, even though 20% of the population in Northbrook is foreign born, including myself.

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?

Unfortunately, the national coronavirus response has suffered from the beginning because of the concern of political optics. We believe in following the CDC guidelines, while supporting our local businesses and community. Businesses should stay open while abiding by all safety guidelines and recommendations.

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?

State and county officials have not utilized local government infrastructure as well as they could have. Local governments should work together to facilitate availability and prioritize populations at risk.

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

I believe the critical difference is in our priorities. United4Northbrook came together to put Northbrook’s residents first. Unlike the incumbents, our focus is on Northbrook-centric policies and not a national agenda. We will work with local businesses and residents to rebuild and grow following the pandemic; we will be responsive and listen to residents’ concerns; and we will be available and will avoid dismissive responses to concerned citizens.

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

The current village board has taken unsound unilateral financial decisions that have affected taxpayers’ money, such as the acquisition of the Grainger facility for $8.3 million. They have effectively defunded the police and fire departments in their current budget, while increasing spending in other areas.

Describe the other issues that define your campaign platform

Public safety, sound fiscal management, support for local businesses, enhancement of development, transparency and communication.

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

One of my greatest accomplishments has been my ability to prioritize my time and stay focused on my goals. This translated successfully into studying law in Mexico and in the US (the latter in my forties) and handling a career while raising a family, which included a kid with special needs. When you have a kid with special needs your whole world changes and sometimes a small step becomes your greatest victory.

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

We want to maintain focus on the village and community issues, which includes amending the currently passed affordable housing ordinance to prioritize housing for local seniors and people with disabilities while receiving the input of the residents for these plans. We want to revitalize Northbrook Court and find a development alternative for the now vacant Green Acres golf course. We want to support and fund our first responders.

Why should voters trust you?

Voters should trust us because as Northbrook's residents we are aiming to be involved in public service to make Northbrook a better place to live and raise our families in a great community. My slate-mates and I have raised our children here and look forward to having a strong community for our kids to raise their own children.

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

Taxpayer’s dollars should be spent prudently and productively for the good of the community. United4Nortbrook will strive to pass balanced budgets without compromising village services or public safety. We will not gamble taxpayer’s money on projects such as Grainger like the current board did.

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

We are prepared and eager to serve the community for the complete term.

The best advice ever shared with me was:

Never take anything for granted. Things can change in an instant so make the best of things and enjoy your life.

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

I would just like to tell them that I am running for trustee to give back to the community that received me with open arms as an immigrant. United4Northbrook is a great team of well-prepared Northbrook residents that is looking forward to representing the community so that Northbrook continues to be one of the best places to live in America.