JAKE WORLEY HOOD

candidate for 2023 OAK PARK PARK DISTRICT COMMISSIONER


Jake Worley Hood has not submitted answers to the Activist Toolkit questionnaire.

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1. Why do you want to serve on the Park District Board? Why are you qualified to serve? What metrics of success do you plan on holding yourself accountable to?

2. How do you make decisions?

3. What are the three biggest challenges or opportunities facing the Park District in the next three, five, and ten years and how should the board address them over the next four
years?

4. How would you approach the budgeting process?

5. What would you say to voters who are worried about the tax burden?

6. How do you seek feedback from residents throughout the community? Do you believe
there are barriers that exist in accomplishing this, what are they, and how would you adapt your approach seeking that feedback?

7. How do you define equity? Have recent discussions in the larger community informed or changed your thinking?

8) In 2019, The Park District adopted an equity policy that adds training and organizational support around equity and inclusion. How would you evaluate the success of the equity policy so far? What additional steps should be taken by the Park District?

9. Oak Park will soon have a Community Recreation Center. What (if any) concerns do you have about the potential ongoing impact on the Park District’s annual budgets?

10. Park districts make use of many different sources of funding, including property tax
revenues, fees, and grants. Recently, community members have raised concerns about
the affordability of Oak Park Park District programs in comparison to surrounding
communities. What would you say to those who raise this issue?

11. The Park District is largely staffed by part-time employees. How will you balance the
need for fiscal stewardship and still pay employees a living wage?

12. What approach should the Park District take towards intergovernmental cooperation
initiatives such as the Collaboration for Early Childhood Development? Are there other
specific initiatives that you would like to implement or expand upon?13) What approach should the Park District take towards intermunicipal cooperation with neighboring communities? Are there specific initiatives that you would like to implement or expand upon?

13. What lessons learned from the services provided or not provided during the pandemic do you believe will be applicable going forward, even after the pandemic abates?

14. What is your favorite Park District program, event, or service?

15. For those who are currently serving or have previously served on the Park District Board: What vote are you most proud of, and what vote do you most regret? Why?