If you are a candidate for the April election, and would like to answer our Patch candidate questionnaire, email lisa.farver@patch.com.

Danny Glover

Age (as of Election Day)

33

Town/City of Residence

Downers Grove

Office Sought

Village board or city council

Party Affiliation (if a partisan race)

N/A

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government?

No

Education

College of DuPage

Occupation

Owner – Skuddlebutts Pizza & Catering, Owner – Party People Rental

Campaign website

dannyglover4dg.com

Previous or Current Elected or Appointed Office

N/A

The single most pressing issue facing our (board, district, etc.) is _______, and this is what I intend to do about it.

Loss of revenue due to COVID-19. It is important to assist our local businesses in any way we can to recover from lost revenue. It is equally as important to look at new and additional avenues of revenue. We must do these things to avoid cuts in other vital areas including public safety and storm water management, which is and has been at the forefront of our of the Council for many years.

Do you support Black Lives Matter and what are your thoughts on the demonstrations held since the death of George Floyd and the shooting of Jacob Blake?

Absolutely. The demonstrations held since these tragedies has brought the attention of lawmakers and the country as a whole. This was necessary for change to be made. Of course, as long as the demonstrators were acting lawfully.

Do you think the current board has done enough to support racial equality, and if not, what specifically should be done to do so?

Yes – Our Police Department is one of the best-rated in the state. I believe a study was done to look into the data in regards to racial profiling- If the findings point to racial inequality, corrective action must be taken. I do believe that body cams would be a good investment, and really do not see a reason not to provide these.

What are your thoughts on the national and local coronavirus response? Do you favor measures such as limiting operation of non-essential businesses and restricting indoor/outdoor dining? And do you favor a local mask mandate?

Our local response has been outstanding. Our immediate community, for the most part, has had great direction and compliance. Unfortunately my business has greatly suffered, but has been able to remain open and fully staffed thanks to the help of the DuPage County Economic Grant as well as Federal Loans. I do believe the measures taken were necessary, although at times felt as if they were not quite consistent across industries. I do favor a local mask mandate to limit the risk of contracting or spreading the virus unknowingly.

What are your thoughts on the state and local coronavirus vaccine distribution, and how do you think local governments should work together to handle vaccine rollout?

I do think that they have prioritized the rollout of the vaccine in the best way possible by making sure the most vulnerable are first. I think that when the necessary amounts of vaccine are available to the public that local governments could certainly help coordinate with the local health officials how to efficiently get all residents vaccinated as quickly as possible.

What are the critical differences between you and the other candidates seeking this post?

I am the only candidate born and raised in Downers Grove. I have lived here my entire life. I am extremely passionate about my community, as it has provided so much opportunity to me. I also believe I fill an important role, as there are no active business owners on Council. My business, Skuddlebutts, where I started as a bus boy at the age of 15 is located on Ogden Ave in Downers Grove. I am a proven leader who gets things done at all costs.

Describe the other issues that define your campaign platform

I want to ensure that Downers Grove remains a village everyone would love to live, raise a family, start a business, and invest in. In order to keep our community as vibrant as it is, we need to be an attractive village for not only residents, but business as well. I believe we can do that by supporting them instead of throwing up roadblocks. When our businesses thrive, they give back, and our community thrives.

What accomplishments in your past would you cite as evidence you can handle this job?

I successfully run three profitable growing companies. Skuddlebutts – Acquired in 2009 at 22 years old, we have increased revenue, and employees, every year since. Party People Rental – Started in 2010. Ogden & Douglas Commercial Properties – Started in 2016.