Tricia is experienced.

Her years of experience on the Champaign County Board's Policy, Finance, and Facilities Committees,and her experience as Champaign County liquor commissioner, Township Appeals hearing officer, and Labor Negotiator will make her a strong contender for a seat on the City Council.

Tricia is a supporter of economic development. 

She served as a member of the Alliance board, member of the Ecomonic District board, and State of Illinois Opportunity Returns Initative. Tricia understands the need to support initatives (i.e. expansion of the enterprise zones) which fuel the local economy and creates jobs,. At the same time, she recognizes that while the City of Champaign is experiencing new economic growth, urban sprawl does not come without growing pains. While a lot of attention is spent on downtown development, not enough attention is being given to infrastructure: street lights, green scape, and roads. Millions of dollars of incentives are given away to developers at the expense of the taxpayers, and not all citizens benefit from this new growth. The city should not give away the store in the name of economic development. There needs to be a balance, and Tricia hopes to help find that balance.

 

Tricia is close to the people.
Her 7 years of community organizing and grass roots efforts helps to keep her close to the people. Tricia is no stranger to working with the City of Champaign . As the orginator of the intergovernmental County-wide Martin Luther King Celebration and a member of the Champaign Police and Community Relations Committee, Tricia has worked closely with a number of City staff and officials.

Currently, Tricia is the Executive Director of Champaign-Urbana Area Project, a community-based organization that seeks to reduce juvenile delinquency. Tricia is certified in Balanced and Restorative Justice disciplines, which are practices used by the Champaign Police Department. In 1996 Patricia was appointed Champaign County Recorder which made her the first African American female to hold office in Champaign County government. In 1998, Tricia was elected as the first African American to represent District Six on the Champaign County Board. Two years later Tricia was appointed to serve two terms as the first African American, first Woman, and first Democrat to Chair the County board. Tricia is a long term advocate for social justice and women's and children's issues. She has presided and served on many board and commissions.