Setting the record straight on leaves

And a few other topics

I voted no.

Over the last few weeks, I have noticed misinformation being spread about my role in the Village Board decision to change Oak Park’s leaf pick-up program.

To set the record straight, once and for all, I voted “no” to change our leaf pick-up program.

My concerns were clear from the beginning. I was present and engaged at the study session on the topic when I communicated my concerns, and the follow-up board meeting when an official vote was taken and I voted “no”. We simply had not engaged residents nearly enough to understand the full impact of a change. I specifically requested outreach to our citizen commissions, residents with disabilities, and aging community to better inform our decision and potential programs. I stated at the board table that we had not communicated with the public why a change was being considered. We didn’t have community “buy-in” from our residents. This is consistent with my leadership style. More engagement still needs to happen to inform a path forward, even if that means reversing the decision.

But where have these misleading facts come from?

This recent Wednesday Journal article attempts to take my presidential role of gathering board consensus with respect to our democratic process and twists it to misrepresent my vote.

Another article suggests Ravi Parakkat had made his stance known when this change was first discussed, when in fact he was absent for the scheduled study session. He had little more to contribute on the day of the vote other than he “wants to better understand the options." Those options had been explained at the study session he missed.

Of greater concern however is the blatant misrepresentation of information found on his campaign website—on more than just leaves.

1. Elected official compensation increases for the next term were trustee led, by trustees not on the ballot right now, and had not been increased since 2017. As the current Village President my salary has not increased in the past four years. Whomever will be sworn in following the April 1, 2025 consolidated election as village president will receive $40,000/annually up from $25,200. My predecessor and the previous board, had publicly suggested far more in compensation for the role of village president in the Village of Oak Park.

2. The Village Hall project will not cost $150M. The current direction from our board is to prioritize a new police station as the major driver of the cost, address necessary maintenance needs for Village Hall, and present a plan for potentially phasing in board priorities to address Village Hall subpar working conditions and disability access. The budgeted amount is $120M as a place holder, however, we as a Village Board have collectively and unanimously pushed back. We are requesting a more reasonable budget.

I run my campaigns with integrity

I have run my campaigns the same way that I govern: with integrity, compassion and strength. The misleading and inaccurate information published on Ravi Parrakat's campaign website, show clearly he is willing to lean into any confusion that exists, in an attempt to manipulate voters.

But why did Ravi vote “no” on leaves? Why would he be upset that I also voted no? Unless this was his strategy all along - to divide our community as a campaign strategy, rather than work with the Board to gain a fourth vote to keep it from happening in the first place. Trustee Parakkat has had many opportunities to join the team that is this board but he has chosen to instead be confrontational.

In all transparency, I have heard from some neighbors that they now appreciate the change. Some agree with the opinion that large leaf piles are challenging traffic obstacles and potentially dangerous. I care about that as well. But at the end of the day, we did not do the work to engage our community on how to address concerns that existed related to our leaf pick-up program. And, as I said previously and on past occasions, more engagement still needs to happen to inform a path forward, even if that means reversing the decision.

As many in this country fight at every level of government, from federal right down to local government, against the spread of misleading and inaccurate information, I encourage everyone to engage and question the narratives you hear. And I encourage you to vote locally—local elections matter.

I am here to support truth and responsive, respectful, and inclusive government. My campaign messaging will largely focus on my accomplishments, leadership, and vision for Oak Park - I will not contribute to division.

I’ll be sharing more, here, over the next few weeks. Subscribe for updates. Learn more about my campaign and my accomplishment over the past 4 years at votevicki.org.