Candidate Name:
Julie Berkowicz
Education:
Attended DePaul University
Occupation:
Sales Professional, Soft Surroundings
Past Political Experience:
No past elected political offices
Why are you running for Naperville City Council?
I feel strongly about representing residents of Naperville who wish to live in a thriving community, have a safe and affordable place to raise their family, and live among their friends. I will be a voice for the residents and they will always have the opportunity to share their comments and concerns with me. As Vice President of the Knoch Knolls Homeowners Association, I represent almost 450 homeowners and assist them with all types of concerns. Often these issues require working with City regulations and permits and frequently facilitates mediation between homeowners. This is challenging, yet rewarding because I am contributing to the quality of life and safety of my community. It will be an honor to expand this role and serve the residents of Naperville on the City Council.
What is your position on defining legal source of income to include vouchers? Can you address the issue especially with respect to the effect on private landlords and property managers?
Prior to passing the Fair Housing Ordinance Mandate by the City Council last year, Naperville landlords already participated in the Fair Housing Voucher program at a 19% level at a voluntary basis. That percentage exceeds the participation level of any surrounding community. This demonstrates the already existing social responsibility and commitment of the landlords within Naperville. I am proud of my community and that this rate of participation has been done freely and without any mandate from government. It would be helpful to review the impact this definition of legal source of income has had on the amount of fair housing. It should be reviewed to determine if it has actually increased the percentage of voucher use.
We continue to hear and read more about the City of Naperville and its efforts to redevelop the 5th Avenue property. What are your views on this redevelopment as it relates to: 1) redevelopment mix (residential, retail, business, entertainment & parking for downtown), 2) What role the City of Naperville should play in terms of financing (sale of bonds, TIF funds, tax incentives, etc).
The City of Naperville needs to provide additional parking to its residents for Metra transportation. Currently there is a 12-year wait for a parking permit. This is not acceptable. Two plots of land have been purchased by the City at 5th Avenue with the intent of building parking. I support the construction of new parking decks and would prioritize the development of additional parking as soon as possible. The longer that the development of parking is delayed the more expensive it will cost and these costs will of course be absorbed by the residents of Naperville. I also believe that the lack of parking impacts the decision for families to choose Naperville as a community to relocate their family and could impact property values. I believe that only private investment should fund any other type of development in that area.
What is your judgment on the consolidation of township services and/or the potential for greater government consolidation?
Consolidation should only occur if it truly reduces the total cost to the taxpayer. For example, if services are moved from a Township, which does not provide defined benefit pensions or overtime costs, over to the City government, which does provide for pensions and overtime, then there will very likely be greater total cost to the taxpayers. Any discussion of consolidation needs to be examined thoroughly, using fully-burdened costs, and with complete transparency to the residents.
Julie Berkowicz
Education:
Attended DePaul University
Occupation:
Sales Professional, Soft Surroundings
Past Political Experience:
No past elected political offices
Why are you running for Naperville City Council?
I feel strongly about representing residents of Naperville who wish to live in a thriving community, have a safe and affordable place to raise their family, and live among their friends. I will be a voice for the residents and they will always have the opportunity to share their comments and concerns with me. As Vice President of the Knoch Knolls Homeowners Association, I represent almost 450 homeowners and assist them with all types of concerns. Often these issues require working with City regulations and permits and frequently facilitates mediation between homeowners. This is challenging, yet rewarding because I am contributing to the quality of life and safety of my community. It will be an honor to expand this role and serve the residents of Naperville on the City Council.
What is your position on defining legal source of income to include vouchers? Can you address the issue especially with respect to the effect on private landlords and property managers?
Prior to passing the Fair Housing Ordinance Mandate by the City Council last year, Naperville landlords already participated in the Fair Housing Voucher program at a 19% level at a voluntary basis. That percentage exceeds the participation level of any surrounding community. This demonstrates the already existing social responsibility and commitment of the landlords within Naperville. I am proud of my community and that this rate of participation has been done freely and without any mandate from government. It would be helpful to review the impact this definition of legal source of income has had on the amount of fair housing. It should be reviewed to determine if it has actually increased the percentage of voucher use.
We continue to hear and read more about the City of Naperville and its efforts to redevelop the 5th Avenue property. What are your views on this redevelopment as it relates to: 1) redevelopment mix (residential, retail, business, entertainment & parking for downtown), 2) What role the City of Naperville should play in terms of financing (sale of bonds, TIF funds, tax incentives, etc).
The City of Naperville needs to provide additional parking to its residents for Metra transportation. Currently there is a 12-year wait for a parking permit. This is not acceptable. Two plots of land have been purchased by the City at 5th Avenue with the intent of building parking. I support the construction of new parking decks and would prioritize the development of additional parking as soon as possible. The longer that the development of parking is delayed the more expensive it will cost and these costs will of course be absorbed by the residents of Naperville. I also believe that the lack of parking impacts the decision for families to choose Naperville as a community to relocate their family and could impact property values. I believe that only private investment should fund any other type of development in that area.
What is your judgment on the consolidation of township services and/or the potential for greater government consolidation?
Consolidation should only occur if it truly reduces the total cost to the taxpayer. For example, if services are moved from a Township, which does not provide defined benefit pensions or overtime costs, over to the City government, which does provide for pensions and overtime, then there will very likely be greater total cost to the taxpayers. Any discussion of consolidation needs to be examined thoroughly, using fully-burdened costs, and with complete transparency to the residents.
