Economic Recovery and Future Growth
Crises create opportunities. This was true in Arlington Heights, where I helped create Arlington Alfresco, closing some downtown streets to vehicle traffic to expand outdoor dining in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. I also helped expand the Arlington Heights small business no-interest loan program, and relaxed ordinances regarding parking and liquor license fees to help businesses outside of the Alfresco Zone. Both Arlington Heights and Palatine received CDBG funding to help local businesses weather this crisis. The thousands of local businesses in the 54th District rely on the local, state, and federal governments continuing to work together.
The closing of Arlington Park racetrack is another crisis creating opportunities for economic growth. And economic growth is critical to maintaining affordable property taxes. But growth also causes problems without ethical stewardship and forward thinking. As your state representative, I will work with diverse constituencies to create space for economic growth which balances the needs of and benefits all residents of District 54.