Rolling Meadows Alderman Candidate Sets His Sights on Diversity, Progress

Few people know Rolling Meadows as well as Joe Gallo, whose family has called the city home since 1954, before the city was even called Rolling Meadows. Now he’s looking to use that knowledge as Alderman in Ward 4. Ward 4 sits on the east side of Rolling Meadows, and reaches from Salt Creek to New Wilke Rd. and north to Kirchoff Rd from Central Rd.

“I’m a first generation Italian-American on my father’s side, and Italian families are close,” said Gallo.”I live eleven houses from my parents, who live next door to my brother and his family. I’d like to make Rolling Meadows a place where my kids want to raise their families, too.”

This passion for home and family led Gallo to City Hall last year for a hearing on a former Dominick’s property. Under discussion was a plan to rezone the area from commercial to commercial and residential.

The property is one of only three areas in the city zoned for commerce, and Gallo raised concerns at the meeting about how the rezoning could have negative long-term effects for residents and the city. He also wanted more information about the developer’s plans for the property after construction, as a large percent of their existing developments were sold to third parties.

Gallo’s concerns seemed to resonate with other attendees at the meeting, at one point earning him a cheer from the crowd.

“It was energizing,” said Gallo. “That moment inspired me to run for City Council, and if elected, that property will be high on my to-do list. It could be a great place start breathing new life and vigor into our downtown area.”

Gallo says he would like to see the space developed into a commercial area that would blend pedestrian and car traffic and act as a social and economic hub for the city.

“Rolling Meadows is a tight-knit community,” said Gallo. “As a kid, I learned that firsthand. Word of any mischief I’d been up to would usually reach my mom through the grapevine before I even made it home.”

Gallo plans to make that sense of community a major factor in how he works for city residents. His first task as Alderman will be to build relationships with the community and with other Council members. He says that while Aldermen may not always see eye-to-eye, they need to work together to drive positive outcomes for the city.

Connecting with diverse groups should be no issue for Gallo, whose Italian and Greek roots were made stronger when his family tree grew to include members of Mexican, Panamanian and Pakistani heritage.

“The world is getting smaller, and that’s great. This is what the U.S. all about. When we can learn from one another, we can work together to build a better future,” said Gallo. “I see a bright future for Rolling Meadows, and would be honored to help us reach it as Alderman.”