Silence Isn't Good Enough: Berwyn Leaders Push for Transparency.

“A lot of residents don't know what's happening. They don't know what's going on,” Janel King observed.

After nearly 19 years in Berwyn, King noticed a pattern: residents reaching out to her for basic information about city resources because they couldn't get answers elsewhere. Now, as the newly elected Park District Commissioner, she's determined to bridge that information gap. King was sworn in on May 20, 2025.

But King's path to the Park District wasn't straightforward. Two years ago, she ran for school board and lost by just eight votes. That setback didn't diminish her commitment to public service. With a professional background in culinary and food and beverage management, King volunteered in Berwyn since high school, from the Chicago Marathon to the One Earth Film Festival.

After her school board loss, King realized there was “still that need for BIPOC representation” in Berwyn's leadership. For her, the lack of information that residents experience is symptomatic of a deeper disconnect. “I feel like there's so much we have, so many Black people that are moving here to Berwyn [that] do live in Berwyn … but the representation for city council, city positions, most … library boards, park district, school board… are not representative of that, and it's disappointing,” she said.

This disconnect became even more apparent during King's campaign in spring 2025 when bright neon signs appeared throughout Berwyn declaring “$669 million in debt.” Created by Patricia Ostaszewski, a longtime Berwyn resident, the signs were designed to spark conversation about transparency.

The staggering figure came directly from the Cook County Treasurer's office fiscal year 2023 data, and represents the total debt across all Berwyn taxing bodies. According to county records verified by 15 West, the City of Berwyn alone carries $350,584,806 in debt (excluding pension liabilities), while School District 201 adds another $215,607,651. Morton Community College, Berwyn South School District 100, Berwyn North School District 98, and both park districts—all of which levy taxes on Berwyn residents—contribute to the remaining balance.

City officials did not respond to requests for comment about the debt figures.

“I wanted to share something factual and unbiased to encourage people to pause and think, and perhaps explore the issue further. Facts and numbers are often the most effective way to make a point,” Ostaszewski explained.

For both women, this debt figure represents larger concerns about Berwyn's financial management. “It's not just about how much we owe, it's about how we're prioritizing spending, planning for future needs, and communicating those decisions to residents,” Ostaszewski said. She pointed to aging infrastructure like the Berwyn Recreation Center, which “desperately needs updating” and could cost hundreds of thousands just for a new roof.

King affirms similar misplaced priorities. “I see what their schools look like. I see what they have. I see what their parks have,” she said, comparing Berwyn to neighboring communities. “If you're paying that amount, this amount of tax, property taxes … it should reflect our schools, our parks, … the police, everything else … and it doesn't.”

Both leaders believe transparency is key to addressing these issues. King noted that while “... the park district, specifically for South parks, has been transparent in where they're spending,” the Berwyn city government, however, is a different story.

Ostaszewski suggested several solutions: “hiring reform (addressing concerns about patronage hires), clearer financial policies like debt management guidelines, more independent financial audits, and especially internal performance reviews.” 

She envisions “a publicly available, user-friendly budget dashboard online that could give the community the ability to track how money is being allocated and spent in real time - but we barely have a user-friendly website, and people are also having issues just paying their water bill online.”

Beyond financial transparency, there are new environmental initiatives planned for the Park District. King plans to introduce composting education programs and push for sustainable practices at park events. “Food waste is a big thing here,” King said, noting that her family already composts. She envisions replacing single-use plastics at events like Oktoberfest with compostable alternatives, making Berwyn's celebrations both inclusive and environmentally conscious.

For King, improving transparency starts with making information accessible. She's working with a resident to create a centralized webpage for all Berwyn events and programs. “How do we get people to get these different programs and ideas, as well as programs that are specifically for different residents, not just seniors, not just kids, but everybody else in between?”

For both women, the path forward is clear: Berwyn needs leaders who listen, inform, and include. As King settles into her new role and Ostaszewski continues advocating for transparency, they represent a growing movement of residents who refuse to accept “I don't know” or silence as an answer.

Contact Janel King at jking@berwynparks.org and get involved with Berwyn Awake.