2017 Election Questionnaire: Jackie Traynere, Bolingbrook Mayor

Name: Jacqueline Louise Traynere

Age: 54

Town of residence: Bolingbrook

Position sought: Mayor of Bolingbrook

Family:

Spouse: Joseph Traynere, age 50
Daughter: Jaclyn Jones, age 35, CPA with a Masters from DePaul University, Oak Park
Son: Terry Jones, age 33, Universal Tech Institute, Customer Service Rep, Plainfield
Grandson: Roman, 3 years, no potty training degree yet

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government?: No

Education: I attended Bolingbrook High School but left at age 16 once I was married and started my family. I later earned a GED and in 2013 I attended Harvard’s Kennedy School of Government Local and Executive Leader program.

Occupation: I am currently serving my third term on Will County Board, this is my 8th year on the Board. I worked for the American Federation of Government Employees Union for the last 20 years, 17 of which as a labor organizer.

I also co-own a residential, eco-friendly cleaning business with my husband that serves a large part of Will County. We work with an organization called Cleaning for A Reason, a non-profit giving women with cancer free cleaning while they are undergoing chemo and radiation therapy. To date The Cleaning Authority has given away over 150 free house cleanings to women undergoing cancer treatments.

Previous or Current Elected or Appointed Position: Will County Board Member

The single most pressing issue facing our (board, district, etc.) is _______, and this is what I intend to do about it.

The most pressing issue facing our community is the massive debt Bolingbrook has incurred from overspending. This is especially concerning because ethics inquiries by the media have revealed Roger Claar receives millions of dollars in campaign contributions from Village contractors. I have little confidence this gravy train will ever end and we will be left holding the bill.

As Mayor of Bolingbrook, I’ll bring back transparency and accountability. I want to work for the people and represent everyone in our great town and put an end to special interests and investments schemes that don’t serve our community at large.

What are the critical differences between you and the other candidates seeking this post?

Roger Claar has never represented the entire city of Bolingbrook. He has looked out for his own interests above anyone else's, continued to support candidates like Donald Trump even after 66% of our town voted against Trump’s brand of bigotry and voted for Hillary Clinton. Claar has invested in projects like the Golf Club-- or as Bolingbrook residents call it- “Rog Mahal” and Americana Estates that have come back to bite us all because they’re massively overleveraged or losing money.

I am running for this office because I have lived here my whole life and invested in this community. I see that our community’s values are not being represented, and I plan to change that. I served with American Federation of Government Employees for 20 years, I opposed bringing hateful detention centers to our community, I organize because I believe everyone has a voice and a right to be represented in their own community. I am a small business owner, meaning I know the struggles that small businesses face and know what it takes to invest in our city’s business owners. These are the critical differences between myself and Roger Claar.

If you are a challenger, in what way has the current board or officeholder failed the community (or district or constituency)?

In many ways, I have already touched on this question, but to reiterate my point, I believe the Bolingbrook debt incurred under Mayor Claar is out of control and he can’t fix it. He is too tied to the system of donations from Village contractors to show the necessary independence to stop the gravy train.

Describe the other issues that define your campaign platform:

I am committed to fiscal responsibility, inclusion and diversity in our community, transparency of our government and accountability to our constituents.

If you gain this position, what accomplishment would define your term in office as a success?

I believe we need to get the debt under control and I will conduct a top to bottom review of spending with an outside audit. Getting Bolingbrook’s fiscal house in order is what I will focus on in my first term.

Please share with voters a story about wisdom gained from a mistake you made in your life or career.

When working in groups, don’t always volunteer first. If you give others the chance to participate they will. I am a doer, I like to do things and get stuff done, but I’ve learned over the years to let others lead in equal measure.

Why should voters trust you?

Not only is my campaign a campaign against the lack of transparency and against the corruption shown by Mayor Claar, but I have always been an advocate for those that need it most. I support workers, laborers, people of all creeds, nationalities, religions and backgrounds. As a labor organizer, I oversaw the charter of a new AFGE Union - Local 899 in Minnesota - for TSA workers. As a small business owner, I made sure our company gave back by providing free cleanings for women undergoing chemotherapy. As a Will County Board member, I’ve been honest and transparent with my constituents.

As Mayor, I plan to listen and put voters first.

Share a quote that defines your philosophy:

"If you are neutral in situations of injustice you have chosen the side of the oppressor." -Desmond Tutu

What questions should be asked of current government employees accountable to your board?

What can we do as a board to help you be more successful in your service to the community?

Are there tools or training's that we can provide that will increase your productivity or increase good morale?

Explain your attitudes toward fiscal policy, government spending and how taxpayer dollars should be handled by your office (or board)?

We should be focused on core mission of health and safety first. That we should always maintain a balanced budget and pay our bills on time. If we have offered pensions to police and fire, then we have an obligation to make those payments and set the required funds aside. That large expenditures that don't focus on those areas should be done with the advice and consent of those we represent.

What accomplishments in your past would you cite as evidence you can handle this job?

I have been on the Will County board for 8 year and was a Labor Organizer at the American Federation of Government Employees, AFL-CIO for over 20 years. I work to find solutions, meaning I work with people and am willing to compromise if a solution can be found in such compromise. In October 2012, the National Association of Counties appointed me to its cybersecurity task force, and I currently serve on the board of the Illinois Women’s Leadership Institute, of which I am also an alum.

The best advice ever shared with me was ...

From my Dad, “Can’t never did nothing.”

What else would you like voters to know about yourself and your positions?

I have worked with the local group Citizens Against Abuse to continue to raise awareness about domestic violence. I have served on this board as a County representative and as the organizations Treasurer for the last 5 years. We host the annual event "Take Back the Night."

I love this community and its people. I was raised here, raised my children here and plan to retire here, reducing the debt is the key, I love Bolingbrook

More via Traynere's campaign website

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