Kruczek recently filled out the Patch candidate survey, and her answers can be found below:

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

Age (as of Election Day):

54

Town/City of Residence:

Homer Glen

Office Sought:

Township board

Party Affiliation (if a partisan race):

Independent

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government?

My husband John – term as Township Trustee ends May of 2021, he is retiring from politics

Education:

AAS from Prairie State College. Years of life experience in the public and government sector. Yearly continuing education courses.

Occupation:

Current Homer Township Clerk with 30 plus year secretarial/administration experience. Registered Dental Hygienist with 30 plus years experience

Campaign website: Can be found here.

Previous or Current Elected or Appointed Office:

Homer Township Clerk

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

Given that I am the Homer Township Clerk, I have no vote on the Township Board. My role as Clerk is to keep an accurate records of the proceedings and document actions that take place among other things. My ability to witness these happenings does however render me with an opinion which I will gladly share. The single most pressing issue “currently” facing our Board unfortunately are the multiple untruths being presented by our opponents. These inaccurate statements being made clearly effect current Board members not running, candidates who are, and the publics perception of the truth. These attempts to cast a negative shadow on the truth are displeasing. I believe our community deserves the actual facts. Furthermore, candidates should be held to a higher standard as representatives of our community. All parties should behave in a manner of kindness, honesty and with respect for those they oppose. When a candidate speaks, posts on Facebook or puts something to print they have a duty to residents to provide accurate information and to do so in a mature and reverential way . The spewing of negativity, name calling and making assumptions not based on authentic information is clearly indicative of a lack of maturity and capability to lead. I implore voters to choose wisely while continuing to make as many people aware of the truth as possible.

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?

N/A

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

N/A

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?

I do not believe my position as Clerk warrants a response in this arena. However I fully respect the decisions made by legislature and will abide accordingly. Having had Covid myself, I must admit I am in favor of being more cautious and will wear a mask for my own personal protection. Alas that does not mean I am at odds with those who choose not to.

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 believe the government is doing its best to rollout vaccines as quickly as possible. These vaccines should be distributed in medical/ pharmaceutical facilities who are best equipped to administer life saving techniques in the event of anaphylaxis. With the many local pharmacies and medical centers already administering the vaccinations, once production is enhanced, we will find more and more availability for the public.

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

My opposing candidate Vicki Bozen is a wonderful person and mother. I have known her many years and always respected her. The question of whom would best serve as Township Clerk however should be one of the individuals personal responsibility, ability, and resolve to accomplish tasks. After the resignation of Clerk Sowa (the clerk prior to myself) I willingly performed the services of Deputy Clerk as an unpaid/volunteer to the Township. This was done in an effort to assist the Township as multiple months of minutes and essential filings performed solely by the Clerk were not being tended to. My goal was to insure the financial reporting and obligations designated to the Clerk were taking place for the benefit of our community. As my work progressed, I found more and more that I actually enjoyed the responsibilities performed by a Clerk. Months later I submitted my letter of interest to assume the position of the previous Clerk and I was appointed. For the record, I was the only person who submitted a letter of interest. In my short stent as Clerk I have completed many projects. These include a much needed Record Disposal Request, a newly renovated website and filing of many years of documents that were not tended to in previous years. I have also answered multiple FOIA’s from recurrent requesters, maintained accurate and non-biased minutes as well as assisting office staff as needed. I am proud of the work I’ve accomplished. I would be honored to continue to serve my community with respect, honesty and transparently and I humbly ask for your vote.

If you are a challenger, in what way has the current board or officeholder failed the community (or district or constituency)

I genuinely dislike this question and find it in poor taste. In no way should any person be encouraged to speak negatively about another. Rather, a candidate should promote their individual qualities while remaining respectful to their opponents.

Describe the other issues that define your campaign platform:

As the Homer Township INDEPENDENTS, we a group of incumbents and new candidates that vow to work on behalf of the ENTIRE community. Experienced, involved and committed, we believe in working together to keep costs down while continuing to reduce taxes which has been successfully accomplished for the past ten years. We will navigate the Road District issues with respect for the Village and Road District despite our conflicting difference of opinion with the consideration of residents FIRST. Although difficult to believe by some, we can work with one other and not agree with their views. It is also our desire that senior activities will resume as a result of the new Covid vaccine and we can get back to fun programs on their behalf. Of course the new Pace addition will be a welcome inclusion to our services once completed as well! The execution of Morris Park is also a fun and exciting project that will serve the residents well. I know that I speak for everyone when I say we are all thrilled about this project! And of course, the fun events like the parade, Halloween, etc. will hopefully begin again now that a vaccination is becoming more and more available.

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

As a small business owner I was accountable to complete tasks without supervision or assignment. Clearly I have done just such for the past two years. I have completed multiple months of minutes on behalf of the Township prior to being appointed as Township Clerk. Additionally, I along with staff moved documents to the newly created, more friendly website. While I do have some website experience, I was not familiar with this web platform so in order to accomplish this web transition I am self taught. I am always motivated to learn new things and take on new projects and genuinely enjoy doing so. Couple that with my experience working in the government sector I’m a perfect fit for Township Clerk. 🙂

The best advice ever shared with me was:

As a Christian I seek my wisdom from the Bible in all matters. And while I am far from perfect, I strive to be the best Christian I can. Although there are many, many versus from the Bible that inspire and serve as direction/advice for me, perhaps one of the best is as follows.
Matthew 7-Do not judge and criticize and condemn, others unfairly with an attitude of self-righteous superiority as though assuming the office of a judge, so that you will not be judged unfairly. For just as you hypocritically judge others when you are sinful and unrepentant, so will you be judged; and in accordance with your standard of measure used to pass out judgment, judgment will be measured to you. Why do you look at the insignificant speck that is in your brother’s eye, but do not notice and acknowledge the egregious log that is in your own eye? Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me get the speck out of your eye,’ when there is a log in your own eye? You hypocrite, first get the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother’s eye.

What else would you like voters to know about yourself and your positions?

The first and most important part of my life is my relationship with my savior. This relationship dictates all my actions. And while far from perfect, I always strive to be the best person I can possibly be.

There are many positions I take on several topics but perhaps one answer covers all questions. My position is simple. I want that which is ultimately in the best interest of all citizens of Homer Township.