By Josh Bootsma
Background: The Lansing Journal made efforts to contact all candidates in the April 6 election to gather information to share with Lansing voters. Using a “candidate info form,” we asked the same questions of each local office seeker. Answers were prepared and submitted by the candidates. We have been sharing the info race by race in a series of “Voter Guide” posts.
LANSING, Ill. (March 7, 2021) – Both the Mayor and the Clerk in Lansing are elected officials, and both have duties that are essential to the function of the Village. Both offices will be on the ballot on April 6, though the two races are uncontested in Lansing.
Why Mayor and Clerk elections matter
The Mayor (sometimes called Village President) is the chief executive officer of Lansing and oversees the Village’s overall operation. The Mayor is responsible for making sure Village ordinances and laws are followed, and also presides over Village Board meetings, supplying a tie-breaker vote if necessary. Another role of the Mayor is that of Liquor Control Commissioner.
The Village Clerk is the keeper of public records in Lansing. The Clerk is responsible for taking minutes during Village Board meetings and is also the Freedom of Information Act officer in the Village. The Clerk is the keeper of the official Village Seal, and can administer oaths. The Village Clerk often answers inquiries, both from residents and from other parts of Village government. Registering voters is another function of the Clerk’s Office in Lansing.
Mayor and Clerk elections – Uncontested
The individuals below are the names voters will see on the April 6 ballot for the Mayor and Clerk elections. Both terms are for four years. Both candidates are running uncontested.
Patricia Eidam (Village Voice Party)
Town of residence: Lansing
Education: Military Intelligence Command School – Associates Degree Police Science, SSC – Police Training Academy, UI
Occupation: Mayor, Village of Lansing
Resumé highlights:
- Lansing’s first female Police Officer/Paramedic, 1979
- Lansing Village Trustee 10 years – Lansing Village Clerk 4 years
- U.S. Army Veteran
Most important issues:
- Funding for the Pavement Management Program, which includes street resurfacing, seal coating and crack filling, and other major infrastructure.
- Funding, including grants, to improve the lighting of streets in residential areas.
- Attracting new business and development to Lansing Municipal Airport including the restoration, preservation, and promotion of the Ford Hangar as an event center and tourist attraction.
Goals and promises:
- Continue to promote and develop Fox Pointe as a premier destination venue with emphasis on interest in Fox Pointe to attract upscale retail businesses and restaurants to downtown Lansing.
- Establish an annual business license program centered on updated contact information and safety inspections.
- Continue recognizing importance of diversity and working to help build an inclusive culture in the community.
- Prioritize and support the redevelopment of Torrence Avenue between 178th Street and Thornton-Lansing Road as well as in the Landings Shopping Center.
Vivian Payne (Village Voice Party)
Town of residence: Lansing
Education: Thornwood High School – South Suburban College
Occupation: Lansing Village Clerk
Resumé highlights:
- Village Clerk – 2017 to Present
- Executive Assistant to the Mayor – 2009 to 2017
- Elected as a Trustee to the South Suburban College Board of Trustees
Most important issues:
- Maintaining the exceptional service of the Clerk’s office by blending online technology with professional face-to-face interaction to best ensure effective communication with Lansing residents and businesses.
- Working with the administration and Village Board to review and update existing Village ordinances.
Goals and promises: I will maintain an ample amount of welcoming & friendly front counter staff during peak periods. This includes bi-lingual employees to help our Spanish speaking residents. I will also post a Clerk’s Corner section on the Village website that provides up-to-date information for residents regarding new ordinances and timely options for paying water bills and purchasing vehicle stickers.
The Mayor and Clerk elections will be held on April 6, 2021. Village offices are located at 3141 Ridge Road, Lansing, IL
Related
- Voter Guide: April 6, 2021 – Village Trustee elections (March 7, 2021)
- Voter Guide: April 6, 2021 – District 215 Board elections (March 6, 2021)
- Voter Guide: April 6, 2021 – District 158 Board elections (March 5, 2021)
- Voter Guide: April 6, 2021 – District 171 Board elections (March 5, 2021)
- Voter Guide: April 6, 2021 – Lan-Oak Park Board elections (March 4, 2021)
- Voter Guide: April 6, 2021 – Lansing Library Board elections (March 3, 2021)
- Voter Guide: April 6, 2021 – South Suburban College Board elections (March 2, 2021)
- Voter Guide: April 6, 2021 – Thornton Township elections (March 1, 2021)
- UPDATED Voter Guide: April 6, 2021 – Bloom Township elections (March 1, 2021)
- Village of Lansing website
- Everything you need to vote
The Lansing Journal will continue to cover local election news ahead of the April 6 elections. Lansing Journal subscribers receive an email every morning with all of the previous day’s headlines, meaning they won’t miss any election-related news. Consider joining the thousands of people who have benefited from balanced, trustworthy, community-building news and sign up today:
