Stephanie Wiedeman: On transparency, trust, and the most political seat in the south suburbs 250826

Описание: The Lansing Journal is excited to have SALT as this month’s video sponsor. Seasoned Adults Learning at Trinity (SALT) is a unique program offered by Trinity Christian College in Palos Heights for adults 50 and better. It's local, engaging, and full of energy. SALT is all about keeping your mind sharp and your calendar active. Contact Dewoun Hayes, Assistant Director Advancement Services and SALT Program for more information:
• Phone: 708.293.4570
• Email: [email protected]
• Website: https://www.trnty.edu/SALT
• Address: Trinity Christian College, 6601 West College Drive, Palos Heights, IL 60463

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Stephanie Wiedeman wishes now that she had run for Thornton Township Supervisor in the April 2025 elections — although she recognizes that Napoleon Harris's choice to hold a caucus instead of a primary squashed that opportunity for her. She's now running for Thornton Township Democratic Committeeperson, partly because that's the next available election (March 17, 2026), but also because she believes the role provides an opportunity to rebuild trust and reinvigorate voter engagement.

This vision for an involved electorate, she says, is different from Napoleon Harris's vision.

In our interview, Wiedeman defended Harris's right to have his own vision for the township, and she defended his right to make choices (about his salary increase, for example) that are questionable but not criminal.

0:00 - Introduction by Melanie Jongsma
1:34 - Sponsorship message about SALT
2:17 - Stephanie Wiedeman running for political office — what changed?
5:08 - What is the role of Committeeperson?
7:05 - Is there conflict of interest?
9:00 - What does "transparency" mean?
11:12 - Is the system broken in Illinois?
11:51 - Stephanie's strange path to political office
13:42 - More about transparency
16:33 - Building trust (small things matter)
17:25 - Did the Democratic Party abandon Thornton Township residents?
20:47 - Is Napoleon any different from Tiffany?
23:48 - Can a man with a six-figure salary relate to the average Thornton Township resident?
25:03 - Residents should say what they want instead of what they don't want.
26:28 - The learning curve for the new administration.
28:34 - The FOIA backlog
30:57 - Committeeman and Supervisor — any undue influence?
31:30 - Is Napoleon Harris a good Committeeman?
33:17 - Who cares about voter turnout?
35:17 - How can voters learn about their choices?
36:14 - How soon before we see a difference?
38:09 - Get involved before Election Day

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The questionable politics of Thornton Township Supervisors Tiffany Henyard and now Napoleon Harris continue to consume a lot of our reporting time, and we appreciate the viewers and subscribers who are following that drama. But we also appreciate subscribers who recognize that these out-of-touch leaders do not truly represent our community. The Lansing Journal serves a diverse community and offers a diverse range of news — important stories that are often overlooked by larger media. If you are interested in what local news looks like, subscribe to The Lansing Journal:
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