Chris Jensen, Elmhurst Ward 3 Candidate

ELMHURST, IL — Chris Jensen is one of three candidates for the Ward 3 seat on the Elmhurst City Council. Here are his responses to the Patch questionnaire:

Chris Jensen

Age (as of Election Day)

43

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government?

No

Education

Bachelor of Arts, Integrated Science Program and Computer Science, Northwestern University, 2000; MBA with concentrations in Analytical Finance and Econometrics & Statistics, University of Chicago Booth School of Business, 2006.

Occupation

Energy strategist/finance professional, fourteen years.

Campaign website

https://jensenforelmhurst3rd.c...

Previous or Current Elected or Appointed Office

None

The single most pressing issue facing our city is _______, and this is what I intend to do about it.

The single most pressing issue facing Elmhurst City Council is the coronavirus pandemic and its impacts on our residents, businesses, and city finances. Residents have lost loved ones and jobs, and businesses have been severely impacted or closed permanently. The city has had to make substantial changes to its budget to make up for lost revenue, including leaving 20 positions open and deferring its annual street paving program.
As Alderman, I will work with City Council and local organizations to bring back the community events we dearly miss as soon as it is safe to do so. I will work to support the business community through the rest of the pandemic and to bring new businesses to Elmhurst and the 3rd Ward. I will work to ensure that as we emerge from the pandemic our budget remains stable and we can address non-pandemic related budgetary concerns.

Do you support Black Lives Matter and what are your thoughts on the demonstrations held since the death of George Floyd and the shooting of Jacob Blake?

I support the Black Lives Matter movement and its peaceful demonstrations that are an effort to bring light to systemic injustices in our country. We are a country of many races and backgrounds that all deserve to be treated equally, with respect, dignity, and understanding. We, as a nation, need to acknowledge that there is a problem so we can work together to solve it. Progress doesn’t start with pointing fingers at a positive and necessary movement for the vandalism caused by a few opportunists, nor does it start with divisive slogans about defunding the police. The solution lies in us working together as a community to understand each other and our common humanity.

Do you think the current board has done enough to support racial equality, and if not, what specifically should be done to do so?

Many members of the board have made supportive statements or attended demonstrations last summer which is a positive step. Residents requested, and the police department held, a public forum to discuss their training and social justice concerns. However, more can always be done to promote racial equality in our community, starting with acknowledging and discussing resident’s concerns.
As 3rd Ward Alderman, I will represent the most diverse of Elmhurst’s wards and I look forward to working with residents to understand their concerns and what they would like to see the city do to advance racial equality. Elmhurst is for everyone and all voices deserve to be heard.

What are your thoughts on the national and local coronavirus response? Do you favor measures such as limiting operation of non-essential businesses and restricting indoor/outdoor dining? And do you favor a local mask mandate?

Elmhurst has worked within its abilities to help mitigate the spread of coronavirus while supporting residents and businesses. Through great efforts by the city government, our budget was balanced last year, which sets us up to have a strong recovery as we emerge from the pandemic. As a community, we wear masks, social distance and work to keep each other safe. Going forward, we must maintain these efforts as vaccines are distributed so we can minimize the spread and sooner see the end of the pandemic.
Limiting operation of non-essential businesses and restricting indoor dining was a difficult but necessary step last year. Recently, we have seen restrictions eased as people are slowly vaccinated and we begin to develop some level of immunity. I believe we should listen to the recommendations of scientists and medical professionals when it comes to setting and easing restrictions. Finally, I fully support a mask mandate until this pandemic is behind us.

What are your thoughts on the state and local coronavirus vaccine distribution, and how do you think local governments should work together to handle vaccine rollout?

As the first doses of the Covid-19 vaccine became available, it was understood that there would be mistakes made in its administration. Now we are starting to see more efficient distribution of the vaccine, beginning with high-risk individuals and front-line workers. The DuPage County Health Department is responsible for vaccine allocation in Elmhurst and has worked to communicate availability to those eligible in the initial phases. I highly recommend signing up for their Covid-19 vaccine updates to learn how to receive one, once you are eligible. If there is a request for the City of Elmhurst to directly help with the logistics of vaccine distribution then the city should make that a priority above all else.

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

I cannot speak for the other candidates as I do not know them. However, I was raised to value and exhibit honesty, hard work, and strong ethics. I believe that everyone has a place in our community and that our diversity in all respects makes our community stronger.

Describe the other issues that define your campaign platform

As mentioned previously, fiscal responsibility and helping our residents and businesses as we emerge from the pandemic is a primary concern. Additionally, I will focus on effective communication with 3rd Ward residents, increasing community participation in city governance, and bringing our community back together as we emerge from the pandemic.
Communication with 3rd Ward residents will be a priority of mine. I plan to continue the popular Facebook live events started by Alderman Bram. I will start an email distribution to send monthly updates about Elmhurst and the 3rd Ward. I will maintain an active social media presence to keep residents updated. Finally, I will be accessible by email, by phone, and once it is safe to do so, at events in the community. The more I communicate with and hear from residents, the better I will be able to represent them in City Council and address any concerns that they may have.
Increasing participation in local elections and government is another focus.
Last year, we saw impressive turnout in a nationally focused election during a pandemic. We need that level of participation to our local elections as well. In a local election, your voice is louder because the number of voters is smaller and the issues at stake impact everyday living, such as roads, schools, parks, etc. Decisions such as these are made locally and the city government will make better decisions with more participation from voters. In recent local elections, turnout in the 3rd Ward was the lowest of any Elmhurst ward, at less than 10% of registered voters. I encourage 3rd Ward residents to vote so that your voice can be better heard at City Council.
Finally, I want to help bring our community back together as we emerge from the pandemic. A tight-knit community is one of the greatest features we enjoy living in Elmhurst. We all miss the events that brought us together, like our festivals and block parties. As Alderman, I will work with City Council and local organizations to bring back the community events we dearly miss as soon as it is safe to do so.

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

The job of an Alderman is to be an effective liaison between residents and city government. They need to be good communicators who are able to collaborate with other members of government and be able to see a given issue from the perspective of many different people and organizations. Only then can the best possible decisions be made. In my professional career, I have worked in both technology and in finance. In both, I have managed and collaborated with teams of people with different backgrounds and motivations but the same end goal of making the best decisions for the company.
After I earned my MBA in finance at the University of Chicago, I began to work in the energy industry, currently at a global energy company. As a strategist, I am responsible for understanding current and predicting future energy market dynamics so that we can effectively manage risk and ensure the company is on a solid footing.
The skill set I have developed in my education and professional career will help me be an effective Alderman. As Elmhurst climbs from the depths of the pandemic, we must make the best decisions to help our community recover and look forward to the next challenges. As a forward thinker that is excellent at communication and collaboration, I think that I am well-suited to be an Alderman.

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

Four years from now, I will view my first term as a success through the lens of three main issues. First, I will have succeeded if the 3rd Ward comes together as an even stronger community with greater participation in community events and government. Second, I will have succeeded if Elmhurst has a more vibrant business community with low vacancy rates and the North York business district has seen new, community focused development. Third, I will have succeeded if Elmhurst is on solid financial footing, having fully recovered from the pandemic and has addressed the substantial financial impact of our stormwater projects, renovation of the sanitation plant, and increasing pension costs.

Why should voters trust you?

The biggest reason voters should trust me is that my wife and I chose Elmhurst as the community in which we will raise our children. We want the best possible Elmhurst for our family, neighbors and friends, some of whom I’ve known for twenty-five years. I was raised to value and exhibit honesty, hard work, and strong ethics. We love Elmhurst and, as Alderman, I will work to ensure that our city remains one of the jewels of the Chicagoland suburbs.

What are your views on fiscal policy, government spending and the use of taxpayer dollars in the office you are seeking?

I think that the city of Elmhurst should provide a high level of service efficiently. Elmhurst has a responsibility to its residents to maximize the utility of every tax dollar raised. City Council must continually assess spending to look for ways that it can be made more efficient. One key source of efficiency we have and must maintain is our AAA bond rating, which allows us to borrow at the cheapest municipal rates.
Our strong financial footing before the pandemic and the great efforts of city government during the pandemic have given Elmhurst the opportunity to emerge bruised, but not broken. We must rebuild reserves for the next crisis and work to fund our capital projects and pension contributions as efficiently as possible.

Is there any reason you would not serve your full term of office, other than those of health or family?

No. We love Elmhurst and are here to stay. I look forward to serving my full term as 3rd Ward Alderman.

The best advice ever shared with me was:

The common theme of most of the advice I’ve received can be summed up as “just listen.” The easiest way to form bonds, reach an agreement, or build understanding is to stop and listen to what people are saying. Too often, communication is focused on speaking rather than listening. I’ve found that success is much easier to achieve when my colleagues and I work to understand each other rather than simply make ourselves heard.

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

Above all else, I want Elmhurst to be the best community it can be. I think most people would agree with the following statements:
We want a great sense of community that brings together all of our residents.
We want the city government to provide a high level of service efficiently.
We want to feel safe in our homes, on our streets, and in our community at large.
We want great schools for the children of our community
We want a vibrant business community with a great variety of dining, shopping and entertainment options.
As Alderman, I will be accessible to 3rd Ward residents and make sure their voice is heard as City Council makes decisions for our Elmhurst community.