This is the first in a series profiling the five candidates for the Buffalo Grove Village Board. To avoid any bias or sense of endorsement, they are being posted in alphabetical order over the next five days. Responses have not been edited. Today’s profile features Denice Bocek.
Candidate's name:
Denice Bocek
How long have you lived in Buffalo Grove?
30+
Please provide brief biographical information:
I am an incumbent Buffalo Grove Trustee. My husband and I are 30-year residents of Buffalo Grove. We have 3 rescue dogs Allie, Bec and Coco.
Professionally, I have more than 3 decades of commercial real estate construction and development experience. I currently hold IL State licenses as a Real Estate Broker and Interior Designer. As the owner of a boutique real estate consulting firm, I understand both business development and community needs. I was able to utilize my real estate contacts and introduce Rivian to the Buffalo Grove team!
Are you affiliated with any political party? If so, to what extent are you being supported by that party?
No
What civic activities, if any, have you been involved with?
My commitment to community service and welfare includes; actively volunteering and supporting various non-profits in fundraising, animal transports and many other ways. I currently serve as a Board Member for St. Louis Samoyed Rescue and I advocate for animal rights against cruelty and neglect.
Why are you running for the Village Board?
I am running for Trustee as an incumbent with more to contribute to our great Village. I am a dedicated member of the Village Board, who will contribute to thoughtful real estate development solutions which preserve our community's character. I support strong fiscal management that protects taxpayer interests and enhanced quality of life through our beautiful open spaces and services. Also, I support our forward-thinking ideals including investment in infrastructure, continued economic growth and a strong sense of community.
Have you served on a village committee or commission before? If yes, which one and how long did you serve and in what capacity?
Yes, I have served on the Buffalo Grove Plan Commission for about 12 years and held positions such as Secretary and Vice Chairman. Also, I participated in the following short-term committees; the Sign Code Review Committee, Appearance Guide Review Committee and the Review Team for the update to the VBG Municipal Code- Animal Ordinance Chapter 6, to raise the minimum care standards for animals and to remove the breed specific language. Lastly, I participated in the Lake-Cook Corridor and Strategic Planning Sessions.
The village has continued to attract new businesses. What do you think of the recent initiatives related to economic development?
No answer provided
Should the village continue with its current economic development strategies or consider alternatives? Why?
The current economic development strategy is a guide. Although, the main objectives will not change, how we get there may. Developer ideas and priorities will evolve due to factors such as interest rates, customer trends, size of parcels and consumer confidence. We may need/ want to evolve if the proposed plan by a developer still fits within our strategy.
A key component in the village's economic development plans is "The Clove" which will, when completed, include retail stores, restaurants, open space and multi-family housing. Are the existing restaurants and rumored future restaurants strong enough anchors to make "The Clove" a success?
Lifestyle Centers operate a bit different than the traditional strip centers with Big Box Anchors. The Clove has a captive audience with the residents who will reside in the 7-story apartment building (called the 250). In addition to the residents, the restaurants, grocery store, retail and park programming will create a destination with an authentic neighborhood atmosphere where lifestyle, convenience, and entertainment blend successfully. Patrons are able to cross shop and experience the different uses- live, eat, play and connect. The programming of the park, tenant selection and mix will play a significant role.
Which business development plan do you think should be a priority? Lake-Cook Road corridor, Dundee Road, Milwaukee Avenue or the Prairie View concept? Please explain your priorities.
The re-development of all three corridors is instrumental to our economic growth. The Lake-Cook and Dundee corridors have had vacancies in key areas for extended periods of time however, I believe we will start to see development come to fruition very soon. Buffalo Grove is an attractive location as we have a solid base of businesses and industries, a strong demographic profile and our Village is easily accessible from O-Hare, I-90, I-294 and I-94.
Is the village’s economic development incentive policy clear? Do you think it adequately creates predictability and appropriately assists in making the most efficient use of limited local resources when supporting proposed development projects. If not, how would you update the policy?
No answer provided
Do you think the village should continue using Tax Increment Financing (TIF) districts to entice economic development?
Tax Increment Financing (TIF) used correctly can provide upside to both the Village and the owner/ developer. I am not sure there is a need to add more TIF districts.
Do you think there are forms of incentives other than TIFs that the village should consider using to entice economic development. If so, what manner or type of incentives do you think would be helpful and effective?
We will gain economic momentum with the opening of the projects currently under construction (which drive customer traffic not only to the new developments but also to existing businesses in the Village).
Also, the strength of our community will play a large role in pushing forward our economic development objectives. The voice of our residents is reflected in our exceptional 2024 rankings and will drive interest in businesses looking to expand in Buffalo Grove:
• 5th Best Place to Live in Illinois
• 3rd Best Public Schools in Illinois (ranked #10 nationally)
• 9th Best Place to Raise a Family in Illinois (ranked #30 nationally)
In addition, once The Clove development complete, it will exemplify our commitment to creating dynamic spaces where residents and visitors can live, shop, dine and connect.
People from Buffalo Grove and other communities can come and enjoy live performances at our new amphitheater as well as dining and other options. Buffalo Grove offers enriching experiences for everyone.
How do you think the village should encourage redevelopment of existing retail areas that are struggling?
The struggling retail areas should be reviewed individually to determine the cause along with possible solutions. The term "redevelopment" will mean something different with each property. Some areas may see increased customer traffic for example simply due to the new developments currently under construction such as The Clove and Bison Crossing. As a Board Member I supported the online permit system which has helped to streamline and shorten the permit timing and process. I am a pro-business Trustee and would be interested in talking to the retail property owners or at least hearing about their challenges and future plans to see how the Board can be supportive in their efforts.
The village has engaged in intergovernmental partnerships for programming and sharing facilities. Do you think the village should continue to pursue partnerships? If so, to what extent?
I am in favor of intergovernmental partnerships as they allow the Village of Buffalo Grove to reduce expenses while also helping other communities with services, they may not have access to. It also goes a long way to nurture our relationships with other communities. One example is the unused future space we have in the new Public Works facility where we are leasing space. This revenue will be used to offset our expenses until such time that we are in a position and need to expand into this area. I would not support extending these agreements where our operations would be compromised or there is a conflict of interest. An example would be leasing to an onsite Public Works team from another municipality who is working and using equipment in the space.
Is the village properly managing its workforce costs? Is there a need for adjustments in the number of employees and/or compensation levels at the village? If you deem adjustments are necessary, how would you implement them?
It is my opinion that the current Village work force is proper in size and compensation. It is important to note that I place a high value on having the right team in place. The result is a strong team who cares, is efficient, creative, competent and very important that they view and consider the Village needs into the future. Our result is a tax levy with a 0% increase for 6 years (including 2025), millions of dollars awarded in grants to offset our costs, well managed budgets, AAA Bond rating, creative funding solutions and revenue sources. The Village Manager and Village Staff and are extremely diligent in reducing expenses while maintaining our high level of service.
The Village recently made a major capital investment and operational change by moving Public Works from its location on the Village campus to Leider Lane. Do you agree with the decision to do so? Are there other projects you would like to see the village undertake?
No answer provided
The village has spent considerable money on a "rebranding" effort that touts the village being "Smart. With Heart." Do you think the plan is effective and what do you think a measurable outcome or return on investment should be?
The rebranding was a much larger initiative than a new logo and tag line. The Village's intention was to uncover our unique identity which required six months of extensive research, both within and outside of our community. Our branding is a reflection of Buffalo Grove's reputation. It separates what is authentic and what differentiates Buffalo Grove from competitors and surrounding communities. People have developed their opinions about Buffalo Grove based on their experiences over the past decades. Understanding our brand will allow the Village to better align with the community and will guide strategic decisions and investments. It will promote new business and economic development interest, attract new residents, visitors and inspire civic pride. Buffalo Grove's rebranding is refreshing. It is a reflection of our culture and welcoming community.
In my opinion we are already seeing the return on investment with the current development activity and new businesses moving their headquarters to Buffalo Grove.
Some of our volunteer groups (commissions, committees) have seen shrinking membership. What would you do to engage the community on a broader scale? Do you think the community engagement initiative is an effective program to get residents involved? What would you do to encourage broader demographic participation?
One of our objectives is to expand opportunities for resident engagement and to encourage participation in our volunteer commissions, task forces and Boards. I would work with our communications team to collaborate with schools, the Park District to expand community events which appeal to the different family generations and diverse cultures.
Do you think the Village communicates well with residents? If not, what changes would you like to see made?
In general, my view of the Village communication with residents is good. We address questions and concerns at the Board Meetings, in emails received and residents can submit service requests on the new interactive Village website. Also, we have communication on Facebook and LinkedIn. President Smith hosts a Presidents Pick each month to meet with residents and understand their questions and concerns.
