February 2025 Online Candidate Forum
RESPONSE
[Disclaimer: The Berwyn Tree Canopy Initiative (BTCI) is a non-political community group. We do not support or endorse and political candidates. Any views expressed on this website by candidates are not necessarily the views of BTCI, and should not be attributed to BTCI.]
Also see video responseQ1: What is your vision for a healthy Berwyn? What are the key components of your vision and how would you support them? You may want to address people, neighborhoods, and the environment, as well as the role of equity, communication, and education and how you plan to respond to input from residents.
A healthy Berwyn is a place where every resident feels connected, heard, and supported. It’s about fostering a strong sense of community, where neighborhoods thrive, and every voice matters. For me, it starts with making sure that Berwyn is a city that’s accessible, inclusive, and safe for all its people, whether you’re a child walking to school, a senior enjoying your neighborhood, or a family just starting out.
One of the core pieces of this vision is improving communication. I believe in transparency and openness, where residents are not just informed but also actively engaged in shaping the future of our city. It means creating channels for consistent, two-way dialogue. For example, through community meetings, a more interactive city calendar, and updates in multiple languages to ensure no one is left out. It’s essential that residents feel comfortable sharing their ideas and concerns, knowing that their input will guide decision-making.
Equity is a foundation of this vision, especially when it comes to ensuring that services, opportunities, and resources are accessible to all, regardless of background or income. I’m committed to expanding programs that directly benefit people, like after-school activities for students, senior services, and improved public spaces. When we make sure that these services are equitable and well-supported, we’re fostering a healthier community.
Finally, a healthy Berwyn is also one where the environment supports the wellbeing of its residents. I support plans to invest in green spaces, protect our tree canopy, and create safer streets. Those investments would directly contribute to the physical and mental health of the community, making Berwyn a place that promotes well-being and offers a high quality of life for all its residents.
Q2: The City of Berwyn’s Urban Forestry Management Plan sets a goal of increasing tree canopy coverage from 20.91% (as of 2022) to 23% by 2032. If elected, what would you do to ensure this and other goals of the Plan are met?
Berwyn was once known for its beautiful tree-lined streets. They provided shade on hot summer days, helped keep our homes cool, and made our neighborhoods more welcoming. Over the years, we’ve lost too many of those trees, leaving behind empty parkways and fewer of the benefits that a healthy tree canopy provides. Now, we have a chance to bring them back.
To fulfill the goal outlined in the city’s Urban Forestry Management Plan by 2032, we need to plant at least 250 trees per year. Right now, the process primarily relies on property owners to request a tree, which means thousands of available planting spaces are going unused. I want to change that by adopting the proactive planting policy that has been proposed by the Berwyn Tree Canopy Initiative and by increasing the city’s forestry budget so we meet (and ideally exceed) this annual planting target.
This is not an aesthetic preference. Trees are critical infrastructure. They absorb stormwater and help prevent basement flooding, clean the air, provide shade that reduces heat-related illnesses, and even lower energy bills by cooling homes in the summer and insulating them in the winter. And beyond the environmental benefits, trees make financial sense because they increase property values, improve public health, and reduce long-term costs for homeowners and the city by preventing flood damage.
To ensure consistent funding, I also want to secure a multi-year agreement with the Berwyn Township and Health District to contribute to tree planting. Trees directly impact public health, and we need to treat them as a priority. By investing in a stronger, more proactive tree-planting program, we can restore Berwyn’s canopy and create a greener, healthier community for future generations.
Q3: Flooding is a big concern for many residents and with a warming climate we know to expect more extreme weather events. If elected, what would you do to decrease flooding and ensure our community is ready for a changing climate?
I know firsthand how frustrating and expensive flooding can be. My basement flooded three times in my first year of homeownership. Too many Berwyn residents are dealing with the same problem, and with climate change bringing more extreme weather, we need to act now.
One of the biggest issues is that flood mitigation systems are expensive, leaving many homeowners without protection. The city’s shared-cost program helps, but it’s still out of reach for too many families. I want to expand this program to make it more accessible. That might include increasing the city’s contribution, offering low-interest loans, or creating additional funding options so that no one is left behind.
Beyond protecting individual homes, we need to rethink how our city handles water. Our sewer system can’t handle the amount of runoff that comes from a heavy storm, so we need more green infrastructure to keep rainwater in the ground where it belongs. That means planting more trees and deep-rooted plants, prioritizing permeable materials in city projects, and making sure new developments include flood-resistant landscaping. Updating our building codes to reflect these priorities will help prevent future flooding instead of just reacting to it.
I also want to create financial incentives for homeowners and developers who take extra steps to reduce runoff on their properties. Simple changes like rain gardens, permeable driveways, and additional tree planting can have a big impact when adopted across the city.
We need to prepare our community for a future with more extreme weather. As we see storms become more intense due to climate change, it’s crucial to make proactive changes that will safeguard Berwyn for the long term. Taking action now will protect homes, lower costs, and help build a more resilient city.
Berwyn Tree Canopy Initiative | Berwyn, Illinois 