Building a Better Community

Lucia is an attorney and current Village Trustee. Elected in 2021, she has worked diligently to improve public safety, prioritize fiscal responsibility, advance housing initiatives and create language access policy to build a better, more inclusive community. She supported providing excellent services while limiting levy increases to an average of 3% or less throughout her term without comprising services.

She is the Village's representative for the Collaboration for Early Childhood - she believes that building a strong community starts with building strong children. Her leadership style is collaborative, thorough and effective, always prioritizing the best interests of the community.

Priorities

Community Safety

Oak Parkers deserve to be safe and to feel safe. With staffing shortages in our police department and increasing road way safety concerns, community safety is a priority in the next term. Here's how I will address this issue. VISION ZERO Pending our consultant's findings, I will immediately implement recommendations to create safe and equitable mobility on our road ways. Streets around schools and the pathways children travel to and from school should be prioritized for managing and reducing traffic speed. ALTERNATIVE CRISIS RESPONSE As our pilot program concludes, I support the continued use of non-sworn officers for low risk and mental health calls. I would use recaptured ARPA dollars to fund it. POLICE STATION The Oak Park Police Department needs a new station. I will prioritize the construction of a new police station and work hard to avoid delays. USE OF TECHNOLOGY The Village purchased 10 Flock cameras in 2024 but the board only authorized the use of 8. I support making the remaining cameras immediately available. POLICE REFORM I support ongoing reforms and innovation to ensure that the Oak Park Police Department uses the most modern, non-biased approaches to keeping Oak Park safe.

Affordable Housing

Rising housing costs and a changing economic landscape impact all of us. Secure and affordable housing improves the quality of life for residents and strengthens the local economy. HOUSING TRUST FUND I will dedicate housing funds to programs that increase affordable home ownership opportunities and support the development of affordable units. MISSING MIDDLE HOUSING I support examining expanded zoning options and adaptive reuse of existing homes and buildings to allow for new units and the preservation of current affordable housing stock.

Economic Development

I want to attract businesses that make each of our neighborhoods thriving and vibrant places for residents to enjoy. MAKING IT EASIER TO INVEST I want to streamline permitting so that there are fewer bureaucratic hurdles for those looking to open a new businesses. INFRASTRUCTURE I support the Oak Park Avenue Streetscape Project and will make sure it is done on time and within budget. In addition, we should address infrastructure needs across all business districts with an awareness of any bespoke needs for each district.

Language Access

I will ensure dedicated resources for the newly passed Language Access Policy so that all residents, regardless of their English proficiency, can access vital government services and information equitably.