The Candidate Survey

Our first action as Revitalize Des Plaines! is a survey of the candidates for the April 7, 2009 election. Early voting has already started at City Hall. You can also register to vote absentee through the Cook County Clerk. VOTE!

Election information from the Cook County Clerk's office
Election information from Des Plaines City Clerk

Here's what we sent to the candidates:

Des Plaines has a rich heritage and is blessed with numerous historic resources; but has long neglected its past. Ongoing downtown revitalization efforts since the 1960’s have focused on specific projects rather than taking a comprehensive approach that includes historic preservation as a community development tool. Local government initiatives have been shown to be most successful in not only protecting historic resources, but in using their rehabilitation to stimulate the local economy and build community pride.

The recent public outcry over the proposals to build a police station on the site of the Choo Choo Restaurant has demonstrated that Des Plaines residents DO care about the past. Revitalize Des Plaines! (formerly the Des Plaines Theater Preservation Society) believes that with our city’s 175th anniversary approaching in 2010, it is imperative that Des Plaines begin work now to preserve its heritage for future generations and present day prosperity.

1. Is the corner of Miner and Lee, site of the Choo Choo and Masonic Temple buildings, an appropriate place to build a police station and an appropriate use of TIF funds?
2. Do you believe the Des Plaines Theater has the potential to act as a catalyst to attract more activity downtown?
3. How do you think downtown can be made a more appealing and productive place?
4. Do you support the creation of a Heritage Commission and preservation ordinance to identify, evaluate, and protect Des Plaines’ historic resources?
5 Do you support pursuing listings on the National Register of Historic Places for Des Plaines historic properties and districts, making them eligible for Federal tax credit programs?

Please submit a reply to this questionnaire by March 27 to RevitalizeDesPlaines@gmail.com. Responses will be submitted to the Des Plaines Journal.