Donnelly, Wegner Announce Candidacies For Mokena Trustee Positions

Mokena IL

04 February, 2021

1:29 PM

Description

By Jon DePaolis, the Richard Free Press: MOKENA, Ill. — A pair of first-time candidates are hoping to win seats on the Village of Mokena Board of Trustees this April. Edward C. Donnelly and Jason J. Wegner — who are both running as independents but campaigning together along with mayoral candidate Harley M. Schinker — have announced their candidacies for two of the three open Village trustee positions in the April municipal election. In an interview with Richard Free Press on Tuesday, Feb. 2, Donnelly said he has lived in Mokena for 30 years. "Being from Mokena my whole life, I started noticing some small changes [in town]," said Donnelly, 32. "I thought I could start improving the smaller things with Mokena with regards to public safety and increasing Front Street and the presence we have. I believe that with the Metra station we have, we can increase our awareness by adding more restaurants and adding more things for kids." Donnelly also said public safety is a big issue for him. His twin brother is a police officer, and he said the safety of the Village's police officers is a concern of his. "I want to make sure that they are always feeling safe," he said. "And I want to make sure that our residents don't ever feel nervous or scared." Wegner, 41, said he has lived in Mokena for more than 10 years. He is the owner and operator of a small family business and has three children in Mokena schools. "Mokena has come far, but I just want to help take the next step and work toward the future to make sure everything is great," Wegner said. Public safety also is a key point for Wegner. "We had a car stolen out of a garage in [my] subdivision," he said. "You don't expect things like that to happen out here." Wegner also said transparency with the government would be a focus of his. "I think that a lot of people like to be involved today with technology," he said. "I think we have to bring that to the community. That's what people want, and we have to listen to them. We are there to work for them. I'm here to work hard for the people of the community." Richard Free Press is a one-stop destination for the news that most affects you, the southwest suburban resident. Be an informed citizen of the town you live in and love.