Why I'm Running

Well-Funded. Widen the Net. Work Together.

In order for Wheaton to continue to thrive, the city needs to be Well-funded, needs to Widen the net, and needs to Work together with our neighbors. These priorities are interconnected and encompass the complexities of effective municipal government.

Priority #1

Well-Funded

Wheaton's residents rate their city among the best in the nation. But that doesn't happen by accident, and it doesn't continue without investment. A Well-Funded Wheaton means we protect and fully support the services our community depends on: public safety, infrastructure, and our library.

The 2025 community survey tells an encouraging story: 95.3% service satisfaction, 98% quality of life approval, and improvements in almost every service area since 2014. That's a foundation worth protecting. As we look ahead, I believe we have an opportunity to build on that momentum by ensuring every city service has what it needs to keep delivering for residents and effectively communicating what our services have to offer.

Our library is one of Wheaton's most beloved community anchors. It serves children doing homework, seniors staying connected, job seekers building skills, and neighbors simply looking for a quiet place to read. And the library continues to find ways to innovate based on community needs. As budget conversations continue, I believe that fully funding the library should be top of mind.

Over the years Wheaton has made great strides to improve stormwater infrastructure. I am committed to continuing the City’s work to address critical infrastructure projects that will make our residents, businesses, and community organizations safe and prosperous.

My commitments under Well-Funded:

Advocate for full and sustainable funding for the Wheaton Public Library
Approach budget decisions with a services-first mindset - cuts should be a last resort, not a first response
Improve city communications so residents know what they're paying for and what they're getting
Sustain and build on the progress Wheaton has made in stormwater and infrastructure investment

Priority #2

Widen the Net

Wheaton's finances are sound, but recent cuts to library staff and services are a signal that we should not ignore. Widening the Net means building a more diverse revenue base so that Wheaton isn't overly dependent on any single source, and residents continue to see strong value for every dollar they contribute.

Wheaton's vibrant restaurant scene, unique businesses, and growing calendar of public events draw visitors from across the region. That's an economic asset, and an opportunity. I want to continue to attract business across Wheaton’s downtown, Roosevelt Road corridor, Danada, and beyond.

I am also committed to working with our representatives in Springfield to advocate for increased funding of the Local Government Distributive Fund (LGDF) which provides Illinois municipalities and counties with a share of the Income Tax collected by the state. The LGDF share has fallen since 2011, and I will gladly join the efforts to increase it.

My commitments under Widen the Net:

Pursue economic development strategies that grow Wheaton's commercial tax base
Actively seek grant funding and intergovernmental revenue opportunities
Advocate for increases to the Local Government Distributive Fund
Evaluate long-term financial sustainability in every budget decision

Priority #3

Work Together

The issues Wheaton residents care most about - traffic and congestion, stormwater, neighborhood safety - don't respect city limits. Solving them requires Wheaton to work alongside other local governing bodies as well as our representatives at the State and Federal level. Too often, local governments operate in silos when they should be operating as partners.

When residents face challenges, they often don’t know where to go for solutions. If they approach the City for an issue that is under another or shared jurisdiction, Wheaton City Council, staff, and City departments must work alongside other governing bodies and agencies to find solutions.

My commitments under Work Together:

Strengthen intergovernmental partnerships to address shared stormwater and infrastructure challenges
Build relationships with the school districts, the Park District, and Township to align priorities and reduce duplication
Make efforts to increase awareness of City services
Partner with relevant governing bodies & agencies to effectively address community needs

Paid for by Citizens for Jackie Williamson

WilliamsonForWheaton@gmail.com

Wheaton, Illinois