The Next Chapter of Service

I'm running for the Wheaton City Council because I want to give something back to the community that has given so much to my family.

I am not entering this race because I believe one person has all the answers. I'm running because I know what becomes possible when people listen to one another, bring their experiences to the table, and work toward a shared purpose.

"What's Next?"

Several years ago, after retiring from NBC, I was walking Marshall when a neighbor stopped to ask what I was doing next.

I thought about it and answered, "Now I want to find a way to use my powers for good and give back."

People had done that for me throughout my life. They had shared their knowledge, opened doors, encouraged me, and helped me grow. Their generosity changed my life, and I felt a responsibility to pass it along.

That conversation led me to the Wheaton Fine & Cultural Arts Commission and introduced me to the work of local government.

I saw dedicated City staff help turn resident ideas into public projects. I presented proposals to the City Council. I watched artists and volunteers create work that brought joy to people they might never meet.

That experience made me wonder what more might be possible.

Wheaton has approximately 55,000 residents. Each person carries experiences, skills, passions, relationships, and ideas that could make our community stronger.

A great city is not built because a handful of people do everything. It is built because thousands of people choose to do something.

I want to help Wheaton remain a place where residents are invited to participate, where good ideas are heard, and where people know their contribution matters.

 

Why This Moment

Retirement has given me the time and perspective to serve thoughtfully.

I have led complex organizations, managed budgets and operations, worked with people under pressure, translated creative ideas into practical plans, and spent decades solving problems with teams whose members did not always begin from the same point of view.

I have also reached a stage in life when I am less interested in titles and more interested in usefulness.

I have the time to study the issues, meet with residents, ask questions, and prepare carefully for the responsibilities of the office.

I would like to put that experience to work for Wheaton.

The Kind of Council Member I Hope to Be

Prepared - Someone who studies the issue before forming a conclusion.

Accessible - Someone residents feel comfortable approaching.

Curious - Someone willing to ask questions and learn from people who understand an issue differently.

Collaborative - Someone who looks for common ground without avoiding difficult choices.

Respectful - Someone who can disagree without treating another person as an enemy.

Forward-looking - Someone who considers what today's decision will mean ten or twenty years from now.

Above all, I hope to earn the trust of the people I serve

Wheaton is already a strong community. My goal is not to remake it in my image. My goal is to listen, contribute, protect what makes it special, and help prepare it for the future. I am running for an "At-Large" position on the Wheaton City Council. That means representing  everyone in Wheaton. Whether you live near downtown Wheaton, in one of our established neighborhoods on the Northside or Southside, or anywhere throughout the 60187 or 60189 ZIP codes, I want to hear your ideas.

Address

109 Fairway Lane

Wheaton, IL 60189

Contact

224.423.0933

randy@randykingwheaton.com