Margaret A. Blasage
Age: 60
Profession: Maketing communications writer
Education: Mt. Morris High School graduate; coursework at University of Chicago, Northwestern University and School of the Art Institute of Chicago.
Political/community experience: Treasurer of the Brookfield Library Board (2001-present); member of the library’s Marketing and Personnel committees as well as the library’s foundation; Metropolitan Library System board member; member, Illinois Library Association; Illinois Main Street program volunteer; commissioner, acting chair Brookfield Historical Commission; secretary Brookfield Historical Society; current member, Brookfield Zoning Board of Appeals; board member, Frederick Law Olmsted Society.
Other experience: Has produced marketing materials and planned for non-profit cultural and educational institutions; worked for seven years in the Membership Promotions Department of the American Library Association.
Top three concerns: Secure the financial stability of the library; address the priorities library users identified in the 2004 library survey; improve young adult involvement in the library.
Carol Kissane
Age: 58
Profession: Avon representative for 21 years.
Education: Morton High School, Morton College
Political/community experience: Brookfield Library board trustee for 24 years; legislative aide for State Rep. William O’Connor (2001-03)
Other experience: RBHS Long Range Planning Committee; St. Barbara Family School Board; Brook-Park School Council; room mother at Gross, Brook-Park, St. Louise and St. Barbara schools; Cub Scout den mother.
Top three concerns: Networking with legislators and library director to write grants and work with a library foundation; increase the number of computers in the library; reallocate library space to include private reading areas, comfortable furniture.
Jonathan Platt
Profession: Medical social worker
Education: Western Michigan University (BA); Tulane University (MA social work).
Political/community experience: member, Brookfield Friends of the Library; member, St. Andrew’s Society at the Scottish Home in North Riverside.
Other experience: Community social worker dealing with everyone from preschool children to the elderly for over 30 years.
Top three concerns: Work to engage young people in the joys of reading; work to attract more library volunteers; continue to improve what the library has to offer.
Candidate Judith Sweet did not respond to a request for information for the Election Guide.
