I come from a family that has always valued hard work, integrity, and the importance of family. My father was raised on a farm near Melms Road and Route 23, where he lived until he enlisted in the military and served in the Vietnam War. My mother, originally from the city of Chicago, was his pen pal while he was stationed overseas. She later earned her degree in teaching from Northern Illinois University. After my sister and I were born, my parents started an HVAC business, which was built on the skills my father learned during his military service. They operated the business successfully until their retirement, teaching me valuable lessons along the way about perseverance, honesty, and the importance of family.
I attended Northwestern University and later moved west to pursue my Master's of Science in Nursing at the University of California, San Francisco. Since 2011, I have been a Board-Certified Nurse Practitioner, specializing in Internal Medicine and Mental Health Services. Throughout my career, I have worked in various settings, from nursing homes to doctor's offices and clinics. In 2021, due to health reasons, I stepped away from clinical practice. Today, I work as a health coach, helping women with diabetes improve their health. I find this work incredibly fulfilling, as it allows me to help others live healthier, more vibrant lives and do the things they love with the people they care about.
In 2013, my husband, daughter, and I chose to make Coral Township our home. We fell in love with the rural landscape and the peaceful nature of our neighborhood.
As both a medical professional and a mother, I am passionate about health and safety. I believe that the basics—clean air, clean water, and safe roads—are essential for a thriving community. I took these things for granted until 2023, when I learned about an initiative to build a massive logistics facility just 500 feet from our home. Concerned about the impact this development would have on our health and quality of life, I began researching the issue. I joined forces with other concerned residents in our community to launch a year-long effort to either halt the project or ensure it would have the least possible negative impact.
I dedicated countless hours to learning about the proposal, attending public hearings, and gathering information. I studied McHenry County Soil and Water Conservation reports, memorized zoning ordinances, and consulted with experts on noise and traffic issues. I went door-to-door informing neighbors, raised funds for expert consultations, and presented the findings to local government officials. I discovered that the proposed development would sit on top of a critical aquifer recharge area, potentially endangering the shallow residential wells that supply water to our community. Traffic studies revealed that the project could bring 15,000 semi-trucks into our area daily, choking traffic at key intersections and exposing us to dangerous air pollution. Noise experts indicated that the project might not comply with residential noise standards without significant adjustments.
Thanks to the collective effort of the community, the project has not yet moved forward, but I know that it may return in the future. This experience taught me how vital it is for the public to be actively involved in local government. By staying informed and organized, we were able to educate both the community and local officials about the potential impacts. This experience has inspired me to run for office so I can continue advocating for the health and safety of our community.
I want to make it clear that I am not opposed to progress or development. Our area could benefit from new businesses and housing, and landowners have a right to develop their property as allowed by zoning regulations. However, I believe it’s essential that industrial projects be developed with careful consideration of their impact on surrounding homes. It is the job of local government to request environmental, noise, and traffic studies to understand how such projects will affect residents, and to ensure that designs are adjusted to minimize harm.
I also want to highlight that the Coral Township Land Use Plan and Map emphasize the importance of preserving our natural resources and rural character when considering new developments. As a trustee, I would follow this plan and listen to the concerns of our community as I work with the County to make decisions on zoning and permitting.
In addition to land use issues, Coral Township Trustees are responsible for maintaining safe and functional roads. This involves overseeing budgets, managing road maintenance, and planning for necessary upgrades. I would ensure that the public is well-informed about road-related issues and work diligently to address any concerns. Safe roads are essential to our community, and I would prioritize this in my role as trustee.
I would be honored to bring my skills, experience, and dedication to the Coral Township Board of Trustees, helping to ensure the continued health and safety of our community.
Please vote for me on Tuesday, April 1st, 2025, at the Coral Township Hall.
Sign up to hear from Cindy about news and events.
We use cookies to analyze website traffic and optimize your website experience. By accepting our use of cookies, your data will be aggregated with all other user data.