VCA: Vision Community Action

Our Platform

The VCA remains committed to a set of principles that promote democracy, diversity, openness, and appreciation for Oak Park’s vital history and heritage. We strive to say what we do and to do what we say to preserve and enhance our great Village. Our 2003 and 2005 electoral successes (in partnership with the New Leadership Party in 2005) brought many improvements in Oak Park government. However, many challenges lay ahead, and the upcoming election provides another opportunity to address them. Here is an outline of what we EXPECT to achieve.

I. SUPPORT FOR BUSINESS

Create a Downtown Oak Park historic district.
Establish a “Main Street” program, beginning with Downtown Oak Park.
Direct small-business advisor to recruit, facilitate, & support small & unique businesses.
Promote heritage tourism & the arts.
Provide incentives for historic preservation, & for non-polluting energy infrastructure & transportation.
Support the adaptive reuse of buildings, which keeps rents lower.
Support a full range of businesses - from large national chains, to small boutiques, to services.
End subsidies to private developers.

II. SUPPORT FOR APPROPRIATE DEVELOPMENT

Insure that Development Services Dept. provides fast, accurate advice on zoning, codes, & procedures.
Insure that all provisions of development agreements are fulfilled on schedule.
Provide incentives for certified Green construction & non-polluting transportation.
Assess the impact of all new development on environment and cost of additional village services.
Rescind the “Planned Unit Development” (PUD) ORDINANCE to prevent future unrestricted zoning variances.
Maintain the scale of existing buildings & streetscapes.
Broaden the role of Historic Preservation Commission in development decisions to include all of Oak Park.

III. SUPPORT OUR NEIGHBORHOODS

Expedite the update of Comprehensive Plan with emphasis on zoning throughout the village.
Insure strict enforcement of building & zoning codes to prevent teardowns & preserve our architectural heritage.
Plan for safer, dedicated bike routes.
Provide incentives to encourage use of non-polluting energy & transportation.
Provide information on how to landmark a historic building, & how to create or extend a historic district.
Withdraw from mosquito abatement district.

IV. COMMITTED TO RESPONSIBLE STEWARDSHIP OF PUBLIC MONIES

Institute full accounting and disclosure of tax incremental financing (TIF) assets, liabilities, revenues, expenses, and planning as part of the annual village budget process.
TIF funds are tax $s diverted from all taxing bodies & placed into a special development fund controlled by village.
Define the amount of tax revenue that is diverted from other Oak Park taxing bodies (public schools, parks, libraries, township) in the above TIF financial report, and identify excess TIF revenues or assets that can be transferred to the other taxing bodies.
Increase to a 90% distribution of TIF dollars to all taxing bodies for 2007. Each subsequent year, increase the distribution by 1%, until 2017 and a 100% distribution. This allows the village to keep its sales tax revenue and allows the village to pay off most of the “bad decisions” regarding debt made by past village boards.
Institute a community-friendly village budget so citizens can readily understand revenues, expenses, and liabilities.
Meet with other Oak Park taxing bodies to discuss pooling resources and possible cost savings in purchasing utilities or supplies.
Define clear goals (with at least one independent, professional assessment of its market value and a cost/benefit analysis) for village purchase, sale or transfer of any real estate.
Define and adopt a clear and consistent competitive bidding process for sale or transfer of any village-owned property.
Require open & competitive bidding BEFORE selling or transferring any village owned property.

V. IMPROVE VILLAGE HALL

Insure that all Village of Oak Park unions have signed contracts by the end of 2007.
Accept arbitrated labor decisions.
Create a Labor Relations Commission to advise the Board on contested grievance/discipline actions, contract disputes, and related issues.
Follow existing sustainable waste reduction goals for each Department.
Support efforts of village manager to reduce frequency and length of village board meetings.
Immediately enforce prevailing wage ordinance.
Pass a living wage ordinance with enforcement.

VI. ENHANCE COMMUNICATIONS AND CITIZEN INVOLVEMENT

Encourage Commissions to initiate a variety of solutions to problems and present them to board.
Televise Commission meetings, especially those of state-mandated Plan Commission & Zoning Board of Appeals meetings.
Publicize commission agendas and detailed minutes on Channel 6, village website, and in local papers.
Require all commissions and boards to start with public comment.

Village Citizens Alliance = VCA = Vision Community Action

The candidates of the Vision Community Action Party have an unparalleled record of community service. Annabel Abraham, Robert Milstein, Gary Schwab, and James Balanoff have taken time from their ongoing professional and volunteer work in the community - which collectively totals 125 years of service on Village Boards, Commissions, religious and community organizations - to make an even greater commitment to serve on the Village Board. Endorsed by the Village Citizens Alliance, an organization with a history of effective public advocacy on citizen issues, Abraham, Milstein, Schwab and Balanoff were chosen because of their personal integrity, experience and expertise. They are people with an unselfish and proven track record of authentic and unparalleled commitment to the community. Abraham, Milstein, Schwab and Balanoff will continue to put the ideals and goals of Oak Park residents and taxpayers first and foremost in governing the Village of Oak Park. You can count on it! The VCA candidates have the history to prove it.

A copy of our report will be available for purchase at:
The Office of the Cook County Clerk
69 West Washington, Chicago Illinois 60602

Paid for by the Village Community Action Party.