MARGARET TRYBUS

candidate for 2025 OAK PARK township trustee

1. What motivates you to seek this office? What skills do you bring to the office? What sets you apart from other candidates?  What does success look like for you after four years in the position?

Providing essential social services to our community requires careful judgment in managing taxpayer dollars and a deep commitment to improving the lives of all residents. With my experience, integrity, and leadership skills, I’ve served two terms as a Trustee. I am dedicated to continuing to turn our Township’s vision into meaningful action, ensuring we make a positive impact for everyone in Oak Park. I have contributed to the creation of the Township’s Decennial Committee Report on Government Efficiency, where existing programs and services were reviewed…in that document, many successes, with measurable outcomes, show successful leadership in Youth & Family Services, Senior & Disability Services, Community Mental Health, General Assistance, Resident Services, and Assessor Services. Success comes with a dedicated staff who reach out to residents to ensure quality services. What sets me apart is the “lived experience” I have in Oak Park raising a family and being committed to meeting all our residents' diverse needs, from youth to seniors, especially in times that require partnerships with other governing bodies in our Village. 

2. What do you see as the three biggest challenges or opportunities facing the Township and what role do you see the Board playing to address them over the next four years? 

Visibility of Township services, particularly with outreach to those individuals who need help and often feel isolated, is challenging. This ranges from seniors who lack transportation or technology to find resources to marginalized youth who need more support than they receive in schools. The Township board needs to be more visible in the community at events and locations, create a more recognizable "brand" through social media, and form partnerships with other groups, whether taxing bodies, agencies, churches, or schools.

A challenge to serve through an "equity lens" will also require an introspective look at our program development and decision-making.  We have to start with ourselves to be open and understanding of diverse perspectives and needs. To create an inclusive environment within the Township, we need to listen to all employees and be sure they also listen to others' needs. We can't take for granted that we are inclusive.  We need to educate ourselves and learn how to celebrate diverse perspectives, creating change and innovative thinking. The needs of the future can't be solved with solutions from the past.

 A challenge and an opportunity is to break down silos in Oak Park so that the Township, the Village, Park District, Library, and schools all work together and support each other. Work over the last few years shows evidence that this movement is underway, but we can and must do more to bring us together.  We are one community serving the same families and individuals. Community building centers around identified common needs and development and through diverse perspectives that are purpose-driven. We can do this with open and transparent leadership that listens and learns from each other.

3. What is your decision making process? What are steps the Board can take to ensure transparency, clear communication, and community engagement – hearing from the board spectrum of Oak Park residents about access to its services and facilities? 

I value collaboration, trust, transparency, openness, and integrity, which require putting others' needs before your personal needs when you are an elected official. So, decision-making needs to be collaborative, open to new ideas, and structured so that each voice is heard before a decision is reached.  Individual agendas and persuasion do not serve our community, even though they may be symptomatic of long-standing issues related to feelings of isolation and mistrust.  It takes humility to realize your perspective is not the only one and may not be suitable for the community at this time.

I support shared leadership in the decision-making process, working to bring people together to reach a consensus for the community's good. I respect diverse opinions and realize the expertise of others when needed in decision-making. I embrace a shared leadership model that empowers and uses a group process where the organization's needs are approached as a "team" that can be stronger than anyone looking through a narrow lens. This process includes community engagement in gathering information on “needs,” evaluating options for enhancing current or creating new programs and services, and determining the urgency of the issue so the Township can set priorities. Clear communication through multiple avenues: website, newsletters, visibility at events, and “word of mouth”  is a constant priority so that residents can access services when needed. 

4. Please share your thoughts about the Township’s current financial picture. What’s your understanding of the Board’s role in the budgeting process and the allocation of resources? Do you have organizational finance experience?

The budgeting process has to be aligned with the core value of assessing the resources to meet the community's needs. This has to keep in mind the tax burden which is a real concern knowing that the Township is just one of many taxing bodies.  To assist in the budgeting process and fiscal planning,  I support a systemic approach that utilizes the expertise of the Financial Advisory Committee, which was established in 2018. Composed of residents who know about finance, this committee reviews the budget process and management of all funds with a keen unbiased eye to risk management and internal control practices. Looking to expand this advisory committee and working with each program director who creates the initial budget in their area of services, the Township Board's responsibility for financial decisions and approval is thoughtful and it has some community voice and oversight.  The annual audited budget clarifies that the balance between revenue and expenditures is within our means and is continually reviewed and adjusted as needed when unexpected emergencies arise, such as the pandemic and emergency funds for residents.  Serving as a Trustee for eight years I have the experience to make meaningful budgetary decisions.  I have also worked in four major school districts in an administrative role overseeing budgets, including tax dollars to schools, as well as federal, state, and competitive grant revenue.     

5. What would you say to voters who are worried about Oak Park’s overall tax burden?

Based on information from our Township Assessor, the Township comprises 2.4% of each person's property tax bill. This is much lower than other taxing bodies, such as the Village, and the school districts. The Township has the smallest percentage of residents' tax bills, and we have never asked taxpayers for more than the cost of living increases. The Township's tax levy indicates we have not taxed the maximum amount of funds available, and this decision was made to give some relief to the community.  We live within our means, and the number of residents we serve shows the prudent use of tax dollars to reach those in need. 

6. How do you define equity? Have recent discussions in the larger community and or at the national level informed or changed your thinking?

From my educator's perspective and experience working with diverse students in diverse communities, I define equity as recognizing that everyone needs to have access to the same opportunities and support, regardless of their life experiences, so that fairness is given to all.  No one should feel their voice doesn't matter, nor should they feel marginalized. Our community must be inclusive and open to diversity in all forms: race, gender, age, sexual orientation, mental abilities, and religion so that Oak Park is seen as a Village that communicates openness and respect for personal differences.  Recent articles about "leadership and accountability for equity" point out issues across our nation, state, and community on many levels.  It is a struggle that takes more than a workshop or training. It will take an intrinsic look at ourselves for unconscious bias, stereotypical behavior, and a willingness to collaborate and communicate from multiple perspectives.  We can and must do this for ourselves, each other, and for Oak Park.  Together, it is a process that all elected officials can lead through modeling respect and trust for each other. We need to welcome truthful dialogue that is not judgmental and creates a proactive unified vision.  

7. What steps do you believe the Township should take to educate community residents and increase awareness about the mission and programs of the Township? 

The visibility and community awareness of the Township's mission requires messaging from all of our services: Youth, Seniors, Community Mental Health, Assessor, and General Assistance on an ongoing basis.  This can be increased through both individual and collective testimonials from seniors, youth, parents, educators, and individuals who have accessed, referred, or inquired about services. Local newspapers need to help with community awareness by featuring the programs and seeking these testimonials..whether it is Memory Café for seniors, a Robotics Program for youth, Housing for the homeless, or attending a workshop on Substance Abuse or Domestic Violence.  Agencies that receive funding from the Community Mental Health Board and Districts 97 and 200 can also help community awareness since they are partners with the Township and our clients. Telling the Township story is an ongoing need and goal that is an essential continuing process.  One step we are taking is to conduct meetings in more communal spaces, such as the library.  Visibility beyond the Township office can help foster community awareness, especially with outreach to residents who may have never taken advantage of our programs.  

8. What do you believe the relationship the Township should have with other Oak Park and near west governmental agencies/communities? How can the Township and other governmental bodies best work together? 

Communication and transparency between taxing bodies are required for collaboration that best addresses community needs. The Village, Park District, Library, and Districts 97 and 200 all serve the same Oak Park residents differently. Yet distinct differences in programs require a multi-faceted community-wide approach that centers on a shared vision.  Ongoing communication can occur with a review of strategic plans and goals, and boards committed to sharing ideas to address common issues that elected officials need to address with collective respect, support, and partnerships. 

The Township has shepherd partnerships through the granting of tax dollars, so our track record is solid, showing collaboration between our services and agencies able to serve Oak Park residents. The Community Mental Health Board recently granted funding to 14 agencies delivering 30 programs throughout our community. Youth and Family Services collaborates with program providers, including schools, police, park district, and the juvenile justice system. Senior and  Disability Services and Financial Assistance programs collaborate with state agencies to develop partnerships that provide additional funding for programs beyond taxpayer dollars.   With our leadership team, we have the ability to continue and expand partnerships within and beyond our community. 

9. What steps should the Township take to not only secure its current role at the CRC but also to leverage additional efficiencies around current programs, program expansion and delivery? 

The CRC provides an opportunity for Township mental health and youth services to have a presence and reduce the stigma of mental illness, particularly for youth. The use of Mental Health Township funds shows a commitment to work collaboratively with the Park District to share facilities and leverage resources with a solid rationale based on funds that have been allocated for this purpose.  Rather than being in obscure locations, mental health services have more visibility at the CRC, and program expansion to engage more youth is growing.  Over nearly two years of co-location, the expansion of programs offered at the CRC has reached over 400 adult and youth residents. Middle and high school students have enthusiastically received programs that include free mental health first aid and after-school programming every month around substance abuse and prevention education. The opportunity for the CMHB and Youth and Family Services to collaborate through the proximity of this facility has already expanded  After school programming on Wednesdays is attended by a maximum of 15 middle and high school students showing their interest in topics related to mental health. Programming is delivered in creative ways where students are actively engaged and “doing” related activities that are determined by a CRC student advisory council that helps guide the decisions on appropriate topics.  By meeting monthly with Park District staff, education, and outreach we are uniting Township services through a supportive and strong partnership with the Park District that has exceeded our expectations in a very short period of time. 

10. What concerns you most about the state of service availability in Oak Park? Is there a particular issue that motivates you to serve?

This past year, we have served over 23,450 residents through six service areas ( Oak Park Decennial Committee Report on Government Efficiency, 2024). Yet, concerns are that some of our residents may be isolated, unaware of how to ask for help or ways the Township can support individual needs. Oak Park Township was founded in 1903, and even with growth, community engagement in social services to keep up with community needs requires a clear vision that supports the mission and resources for service delivery with consistent and creative outreach strategies. 

What motivates me to serve is the strength I have seen in Township government for the many years I have been a taxpayer in Oak Park.  I have witnessed our staff as creative innovators, problem solvers, and true professionals who provide exceptional support and assistance to diverse needs that have grown and changed. I have heard from residents who express gratitude and relief that the Township has improved their lives. Oak Park is a special community that welcomes ALL and is a safe place to live knowing that we have a local government that cares for its residents…that has been the Township’s purpose and I want to continue it into the future.     

11. One of the Township Board’s primary responsibilities is oversight of the Township Manager. What criteria do you believe the Board should use to evaluate the performance of the Township Manager?

Within the last year, the Township Manager job description has been revised so that the hiring of the current manager reflects the expectations of the Board of Trustees and the Program Directors. This process has ensured the smooth transition to new leadership and the reaffirming of the Board/Manager relationship.  Criteria to evaluate the Manager are being developed. This will ensure the essential job functions of knowledge, skills, and abilities will provide the foundation for conversations to review and support the leadership needed to clearly communicate, manage personnel, facilitate meetings in a professional manner, and exercise good judgment and initiative that supports the mission and vision of the Township.  The recent development of an updated strategic plan has also progressed to include performance expectations based on mutually understood short-term and long-term goals. Working with the Manager, the Board can then provide support to reach measurable outcomes that ensure the relationship with elected officials and staff.   

12. Last November, Oak Park voters overwhelmingly approved a ballot initiative that proposed that voters be able to approve ordinances and policies though a direct vote. At this point the vote on the ballot initiative was advisory or non-binding. The next step is for the Village or any other taxing body in Oak Park (as reported by the Wednesday Journal, November 7, 2024) to decide whether or not to place the issue on the ballot as a binding referendum. Please share your views on this initiative. 

It is the role of voters to elect officials they trust to create ordinances and policies that are in the community's best interests.  The complexity of understanding the inception of policies and ordinances on various issues requires in-depth understanding and analysis, which should be based on community conversations that ensure dialogue that is inclusive.  Making informed decisions based on forums, task forces, and transparency is essential to establish trust between policymakers and the residents of our community.  With that goal in mind, increased voter engagement can occur to increase community involvement in the decision-making process.