Palatine Township Clerk Candidate: Lisa Moran

Palatine Patch will be helping you get to know the candidates for the upcoming special primary for Palatine Township. Meet Palatine Township Clerk candidate, Lisa Moran, who will be challenged by Kathy Allegretti.

1) Name, office being sought, professional background, community affiliations, experiences that you feel qualify you to run for this office.

Lisa Moran, Clerk Palatine Township
Current Service:
-Palatine Township Clerk 2009-2013
-Salute, Inc. Vice President (non-profit org. serving military service members, veterans, and their families)
-IL Military Families Initiative- Palatine Township Community Action Team member
-Townships of Cook County Clerk's Division member
-Townships of Cook County Clerk's Division Audit Committee member
Previous Service:
-Palatine Township Trustee 2005-2009
-NIEMC member (Northern IL Emergency Management Consortium), a group exploring new technologies and topics of mutual interest in the area of emergency management and disaster preparedness
-Palatine Township Human Needs Committee member
-Chairman of the Palatine Township Communications Committee
-Chairman of the Palatine Township Health and Safety Committee
-PTA Committee Co-Chair at Hunting Ridge School in Palatine

2) How long have you been a Palatine Township resident? 11 years

3) What are the reasons you chose to run for office? (for the upcoming election)

I have always been politically active and interested in government, even before high school.  It’s been an honor and privilege to serve as Township Trustee, and currently Clerk.  I chose to run again for Clerk because I am proud of my record of accomplishment, along with my desire to continue my public service in the Township I love living in.  I want our community to remain a comfortable community of People Serving People, stated in our Township Motto.  I believe I am an independent voice on the board without any agendas other than the prosperity of the Township and its residents.

4) List 2-3 top issues-and how you plan to address them-that you believe are important to residents living in Palatine Township.

1) Continued Fiscal Responsibility:
I refused my taxpayer-paid Township pension and proposed the elimination of the taxpayer-paid IMRF retirement/pension benefit program for future board members. I will work towards balanced budgets and FREEZING THE TAX LEVY each year for the next four year term. This board needs to understand that they are one of MANY taxing bodies to which our residents pay taxes to.  Residents already feel overtaxed and for good reason. I believe it’s time to tighten our fiscal belts and give some relief to property taxpayers.  A tax levy freeze is both feasible and necessary.
2) Allow posting of additional Township records/information:
While I am proud of the Transparency Initiative I proposed and earned approval on, which pushed through a large amount of Township data onto our Township website, I would like the Board to act on my previous requests to post additional information as well.  This new board needs to be honest and open with its residents and allow them the ease of gathering information on our website instead of through burdensome FOIA Requests.  I will continue to push for more transparency. My Transparency Initiative allowed for the website posting of information regarding:  Board Meeting Minutes; Salary and Benefits; Monthly Expenditure Reports; Budget and Audit; Elected and Administrative Officials; Public Contracts and Lobbying Efforts.
3) Provide a better experience at the Township Center
I would like to update our website to include a webpage dedicated to resident feedback.  An opportunity for residents to comment on a service they received; share ideas on how to better a particular service or program; view current volunteer opportunities in real time, etc. I also believe that our community needs to recognize the struggles and sacrifices that our Township military families face.  Through the Blue Star Banner Program I developed, which supports military families living in our Township by honoring them at a special Presentations Ceremony, it’s been my pleasure and privilege to get to know some of the personal stories involved.  In working as a member of the newly created IL Military Families Initiative- Palatine Township Community Action Team, I will continue the effort to support these families.

5) What improvements, if any, would you like to see in the way that Palatine Township is run?

The Township has gone too long without clear direction for the future.  I would like to see the creation of a new Strategic Planning Committee to guide the Township with attainable goals and a vision for the next five to ten years.  I would love the opportunity to serve on this Committee.

6) Additional comments.

I consider it a privilege to have served my community the last 8 years on the Township Board and I would love the opportunity to continue to serve for another four year term.  I am an independent thinker working well with both Township boards I have served on, while never compromising my ethics or values. I realize the importance of attending monthly board meetings in fulfilling my duties.  I have an outstanding attendance record in my last 8 years on the board and if elected, plan to continue this into my next term.
I am honored to have earned the endorsement of many throughout the community, including:

-State Senator Matt Murphy
-State Rep. Tom Morrison
-Rolling Meadows Mayor, Tom Rooney
-Palatine Township Collector, Sue Johnson
-Former State Rep. Robert Bergman
Please take a moment to review my campaign website:  www.ClerkLisa.com

7) Biographical information, family, children, upbringing, religious beliefs, etc. (optional

I was born and raised in Chicago, and have enjoyed living in Palatine with my family the last 11 years. I earned a degree in Dental Assisting and have enjoyed my career as a Dental Assistant for the last 25 years, currently working part-time.  
My husband and I will celebrate our 20th Wedding Anniversary this year; we are blessed with two children, Brittany and Timothy. We are active members of St. Theresa’s parish in Palatine, and have been active in school and community programs with our children over the years.