West Cook News

Village of Oak Park Trustee Dan Moroney has announced his bid for Oak Park Village president. 

In an announcement made Nov. 29, Moroney stated that he decided to run for Village president to better serve the community.

“This decision is rooted in my belief that Oak Park is an exemplary community that should recognize our shared commitment to maintaining a Village that has provided a setting for all residents to thrive.” 

Moroney stressed that residents should unite on common ground and work together to build a stronger community for generations to come. 

He stated that his first priority as Village Board trustee was reducing the tax burden that posed to be the “biggest threat” to the Village. 

“In my view, Oak Park does not need a revolution from the Village Board table.  Those that seek to tear down systems fail to appreciate the value and complexity of Oak Park,” he wrote. “We are an exceptional community and obsessively focusing on negativity and imperfection is unproductive and divisive. This Utopian approach has the potential to greatly damage a community that has so much going for it.”

Monorey said his vision for the next decade will be of “moderation,” noting that the Village experienced a decade of major infrastructure projects, large-scale development, the expiration of three TIF districts, and more.

“Oak Park has an opportunity to refocus its energy on the core functions of municipal government. Specifically, keeping the community safe, the tax burden low and property values rising,” he wrote. “The Village can continue its three-year trend of capping levy increases to 3%, ensure that our police are supported in reversing the trend of rising crime, encouraging economic development in all corners of the Village and rooting our decision-making in pragmatism and common sense.”

Monorey concluded by asking residents to vote for him on April 6. 2021.