Christina 'MC' Clausen, Homer Glen Village Trustee Candidate

HOMER GLEN, IL — Christina "MC" Clausen is a candidate for Village of Homer Glen Trustee. There are six candidates running for three open positions in this race.

The consolidated election is April 4.

You can find Clausen's answers to the Patch candidate questionnaire below:

Your Name:

Christina "MC" Clausen

Age (as of Election Day):

46

Town/City of Residence:

Homer Glen

Office sought:

Village Board

Party Affiliation (if a partisan race):

N/A

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government?

No

Education:

High School

Occupation:

15 Years Self Employed

Campaign Website or Facebook:

WWW.Homerforward.com

Previous or Current Elected or Appointed Office:

N/A

The most pressing issues facing our (board, district, etc.) are _______, and this is what I intend to do about them.

Rising taxes. I intend to pursue responsible, strategic residential growth, in key focused areas and encourage community engagement. Additional rooftops will help diversify our commercial base and attract upscale retailers and restaurants.

Ensure future developments are in compliance with the Comprehensive Design Ordinance.

Attract upscale retail and dining projects along the commercial corridors of 159th Street, Bell Road, and 143rd Street.

Annex any remaining unincorporated land along our commercial corridors to protect the village’s future commercial tax base.

Investigate alternative funding sources to finance necessary infrastructure improvements as the village grows

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

I am a business owner and understand how to be fiscally responsible. Also, I have been attending Village meeting for the past 2 years. The other slate has not been attending these meetings at all.

If you are a challenger, in what way has the current board or officeholder failed the community (or district or constituency)? Or what changes would you like to see?

N/A

Describe the other issues or ideas that define your campaign platform:

Managing responsible and calculated growth. While preserving the rural character and charm of Homer Glen

Move forward with infrastructure improvements.

Committed to community safety.

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

I have been in business for 15 years. Started during a recession and made it through the pandemic. I've had to negotiate contracts, bid jobs, run jobs while staying within budget.

Why should voters trust you?

This is my home and I love this community. I'm here for the long haul. I have been in business for 15 years and most of my customers have been with me the whole time.

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

Making sure seniors don't get taxed out of their homes.

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

I think the current trustees have done a great job being fiscally responsible with taxpayer dollars and I want to carry on their effort.

Do you support the Illinois assault weapons ban, and would you support a local assault weapons ban in this community?

No

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

Yes

Do you support the SAFE-T Act? Why or why not?

No, it ties the hands of law enforcement. No cash bail puts our citizens in jeopardy.

What are your thoughts on the crime rate in your community, and what more can be done to combat crime — especially violent crime — in town?

Crime is on the rise everywhere. I think Homer Glen needs to do a feasibility study to see what the cost of a police department would be. We need to see if it's doable without a tax increase, if not we might have to add more Will County Sheriff officers to keep our community safer.

What is your view of the city's/village's approach to commercial and residential development?

The village needs to maintain balance between its rural character and charm, while building a strong commercial base that will help support the village’s operating expenses.

When it comes to development, what are some key areas for improvement or additions you feel are most wanted by residents? What will need to be done to make this happen?

CREATION OF A VILLAGE TOWN CENTER. This brings revenue and communities together.

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

No

The best advice ever shared with me was:

Treat people the way you would like to be treated.

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

Until recently, I had never been involved in politics. For the last 15 years I focused on raising my boys and building a business from the ground up. Much like the rest of the country, I blindly trusted our public servants.

I chose to get involved in politics because the direction I saw our country going in was unsettling for me. I found myself questioning everything like my outrageous property taxes and why the mayor of Homer Glen shut down certain businesses during the pandemic. I started going to village meetings and school board meetings where I learned more about the dealings in Homer Glen, including discovering why our taxes and our water bills are so high.

What I have learned in the last 3 years is our country, state, counties, villages, schools, and libraries have been sold out for years. I can no longer sit by and let this happen. My children are watching, and they need to see how important it is to fight for something you believe in. They need to see me fight for them, their future, and the future of this community.

I grew up in a small town much like Homer Glen. My mother raised me and my 3 siblings by herself. We didn’t have much growing up, but we did have an amazing, loving, and supportive mother. When I was 19, she passed away. It tore my family apart and we went our separate ways. I was, for the first time in my life, truly alone.
I was forced into the real world and from that day on I have worked hard to get where I am today. I have a very successful business building some of the biggest bridges in Illinois and Indiana. I’ve been in business for 15 years. I was able to get my business off the ground during the recession and survive the pandemic.

I have managed to grow from 1 employee to, at times, employing over 100 Union Ironworkers. I plan to take all my knowledge as a business owner and use that to help me improve our amazing Village.