THANK YOU OAK PARK!!! WE DID IT!!!
THANK YOU OAK PARK!!! WE DID IT!!!
“Cory Wesley will bring a pragmatic approach to issues facing the village, from property taxes to equity.”
“I’m running to create an affordable Oak Park that acknowledges our middle-class origins, that makes space for those seeking affordability, and works hard to keep our seniors in our community as they age through life.
A village that prioritizes diversity through both words and actions. That works hard for inclusion through policy and community.
A village that fosters prosperity for our neighbors, businesses and community as a whole.”
Trusted
As the Chair of the Oak Park Economic Development Corporation (OPEDC), Co-President of the Southeast Oak Park Community Organization (SEOPCO), Commissioner on the Civic Information Systems Commission, Board Member at Oak Leyden Developmental Services & Mentor at OPRF High School, and runner-up in the 2019 Village Trustee election, Cory has been a trusted member of the Oak Park community and was the obvious selection to fill the vacancy on the Village Board.
”I’m looking forward to the additional perspective he will bring to the Board based on his life experiences and personal and professional talents.” - Village President Vicki Scaman
From OPEDC Executive Director John Lynch: “I’ve been impressed with Cory’s willingness to listen. I have seen him change his own mind in response to new information, but I have also seen him stick to his guns and change others’ minds with well-reasoned analysis, Cory is a tremendous asset to Oak Park and will be an outstanding trustee.”
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"Cory has demonstrated his loyal commitment to board service through his work on the Civic Information Systems Commission and as chair of the Oak Park Economic Development Corporation in a manner consistent with my goals as village president. I am looking forward to the additional perspective he will bring to board discussions based on his life experiences and personal and professional talents.[...]I trust he will serve with empathy, integrity, and openness to broad engagement."
Village President Vicki Scaman
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“I’ve been impressed with Cory’s willingness to listen. I have seen him change his own mind in response to new information, but I have also seen him stick to his guns and change others’ minds with well-reasoned analysis, Cory is a tremendous asset to Oak Park and will be an outstanding trustee.”
OPEDC Executive Director John Lynch
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Mr. Wesley will be a great addition to the board of trustees. He has a wide range of experience, and is a thoughtful and analytical person, whose qualities will allow him to bring a broad perspective to the board along with his ability to work successfully with his fellow board members.
Oak Park Resident Marty Bernstein
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I believe that Cory is poised to build consensus, and rise above criticism and politics in service of our community.
Annemarie Kill (Admin - Polite Politics)
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"One of the rarest qualities in elected officials is a willingness to acknowledge that they are not a subject-matter expert on every issue. Given the wide range of issues confronting the Oak Park Village Board, a willingness to seek out and consider the opinions of experts is particularly important. Wesley has repeatedly demonstrated this rare characteristic, in conversations both public and private. He is able to both hold firmly to his values and consider additional facts and arguments. Most remarkably, he is willing to change his mind where appropriate. His willingness to consider other viewpoints will serve him and our community well."
Juanta Griffin, Brian Straw, Tim Thomas & Deborah Wess
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“Cory Wesley will bring a pragmatic approach to issues facing the village, from property taxes to equity.”
Wednesday Journal
Leadership
Cory rose to the position of Chair of the Oak Park Economic Development Corporation in his second year on the Board and Co-President of Southeast Oak Park Community Organization (SEOPCO) in his third year with that organization, and was appointed to the Village Board in October of 2022.
As Chair of the OPEDC he co-wrote the racial equity policy for that organization, led the reeinstatement of the organization’s annual meeting to foster transparency, helped craft a majority minority board, spoke to municipal leaders from Northwest Indiana on Oak Park’s economic development strategy, drove retail vacancy rates to historic lows of less than 3%, and helped drive a historic increase in village sales tax revenue.
As Co-President of SEOPCO he spearheaded the collaboration between BarrieFest & TakeOut 25 - a collaboration that brought restaurants from across the village to Southeast Oak Park in an effort to build community in the wake of the pandemic and continues to help drive community impact and involvement across southeast Oak Park.
In October of 2022, a vacancy was created on the Village Board and Cory was appointed to fill it. Since joining the Board Cory has been a voice for fiscal responsibility, inclusion, equity, sustainability and an advocate of transparent decision-making processes. He has spoken in favor of increased technology use in government to drive better community experiences and increased government efficiency.
Community
I’m a proud resident of Southeast Oak Park. My kids are alums of Irving school.
The creation of close-knit community is one of SEOPCO’s most important missions. The creation of the Oak Park experience was an intentional action and in the wake of the pandemic, the reestablishment of that community must also be intentional.
It was easy to assume that community will always be there, but if the pandemic has taught us anything, it’s that community only exists because others work hard to create and nurture it.
That’s the mission of SEOPCO, to create and foster community for all to experience, and one that I fully embrace in my role there as Co-President as well as through my work on the Village Board.
Family
The phrase ‘I Belong’ has been the theme of our family’s experience in southeast Oak Park, and in Oak Park in general..
Growing up in the North Lawndale area of Chicago’s west side, with large close-knit families and communities, we both sought out community when deciding on where to locate our growing family. And, as with many on the west side, we saw Oak Park as an aspiration and hopeful destination.
Fast forward, and we’re proud residents of southeast Oak Park and parents of two former Irving Eagles, Aiden (13), and Yani (11). Mechelle has been active in the community as the former Chair of Irving’s DivInc (Diversity & Inclusion) committee and is also a former member of the Irving PTO. Our kids have been active in AYSO, Girl Scouts, and many other pursuits.
Oak Park is the place where we’ve truly felt that we belong and my goal has always been to give as many families the same opportunity to find their place here as we had.