Interview with a candidate: Patty Gustin

Patty Gustin is one of eleven candidates running for Naperville’s four open city council seats this year. Gustin is a real estate broker and has served one term on the city council after the last election.

Gustin explains that she originally worked as a paralegal — essentially someone who researches cases and compiles information for law firms. However, when she took a break from working to help raise her family, she became more involved in community organizations. She explains, “You don’t know what doors open as life moves forward.” Her newfound interest in local community lead her to become involved in city government.

Gustin has worked for a variety of government organizations, including the zoning and planning commission, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) and the criminal division of the US Attorney’s Office Department of Justice.

After working in city governments and heading committees, Gustin chose to run for city council. She is running again because “there [are] so many things [the city council] has already accomplished, but [Gustin] need[s] to follow through to see them to conclusion.” A few things she would like to improve if she is elected to a second term are continuing to balance the budget “without reducing the quality of the services [Naperville] offer[s],” and updating the city’s technological resources and online presence to make them more “transparent,” and available to residents.

Gustin also feels it is important for Naperville to be prepared in the event that Illinois legalizes the use of recreational marijuana. She believes Naperville should have the infrastructure in place to handle “additional traffic stops,” and medical situations if marijuana is legalized.

According to Gustin, the most important job of a city council member is ensuring “safety.” She explained that providing a safe community is the foundation for everything else city council members work towards, like financial stability.

Gustin says voters can find out more about her and her views and background at her website, http://electgustin.com/, or through her “Gab with Gustin,” talks, where she reaches out to seniors in the community at assisted living centers, who she feels can become disconnected from their local cities.