What It Sounds Like
Parents of children of a certain age may recall when K-Pop Demon Hunters were everywhere last year. There was one song in particular, “What It Sounds Like,” that always moved me. It plays towards the end of the film, when the Demon Hunters realize they just needed to communicate and work together to protect their fans and families. Once they were open with one another, all doubts were erased and victory assured.
Last night, I went to the Village Board meeting, ready to discuss my most recent blog entry about Nexstar during Public Comment. I wanted to communicate my thoughts and what I was hearing from all of you after speaking with many of you.
As always, when I see our residents talk about how much they care about the Village, I’m impressed and feel blessed to be in such a community. To the unidentified resident who asked the question about the $40,000 payment to Tom Ricketts for the upcoming breakfast— thank you! It actually gave me another idea on how we can Exceed Exceptional. Stay tuned and keep your eyes peeled for “Operation: Silver Shovels.”
Now, before I get started, I wanted to clarify some points from my time during the Public Comment section (footage also embedded below).
This is how important transparency is to me— I’m willing to clarify potential confusion after the fact:
During the debate with the Board, I had attributed the reporting on the apparent increase of the data center footprint at WGN-Nexstar from three (3) to four (4) data halls to the local Journal. This was in error. I conflated the Journal’s writing on the 4th substation in January 2026 with the Daily Herald’s report on the addition of a 4th data center at the Nexstar property (paywalled for non-subscribers) and the similar Real Deal report I cited in the Nexstar piece reflecting the same.
This was an honest mistake— apologies for any confusion and misattribution.
While interacting with some residents on an online forum the last few days, I had stated I was “Elk Grove Green & Gold.” During the debate, I was informed the Village’s colors are green and white, like on the flag outside the Zettek Center.
While I could not find a formal declaration of official colors on the Village’s website (I searched “official colors”), my comment about “Elk Grove Green & Gold” was referring to EGHS’s colors (green and gold) in response to a member asking for my party affiliation based on “red or blue”? The law requires this campaign to be non-partisan, and I want to ensure there’s no confusion from my side on the non-partisan nature of the race and my campaign.
To the extent my comment confused anyone— again, my apologies for any confusion.
Now, as you’ll see above (and in some clips floating around online), the debate was vigorous, informative, and fulfilling. It got heated a times, but nothing I didn’t expect. I can assure you— I don’t view myself as a King nor a Fear Monger (nor “King of the Fear Mongers”). I’m a concerned resident demanding answers. But I take no offense— things get heated, and things are said that are not meant. It’s ok.
I’d like thank Mayor Johnson and those Trustees (Franke, Jarosch, Miller, and Lasken) who asked questions and engaged with me on the merits around data centers, both on the record and afterwards. Trustee Bush, in particular, was inquisitive and promoted civil debate throughout. Thanks, Joe— looking forward to chatting in the coming months and beyond!
And, rest assured— I’m doing my homework on those studies the Board requested, as well as other supporting evidence around potential issues with data centers. I’ll have a post forthcoming to share my findings and research. And, if my schedule permits, I’ll be sure to come back for the next Public Comment section to provide a report. At the very least, I suppose I could send a letter…
But, as I laid in bed after last night, two questions kept coming to mind— (1) Why did it take a resident going to a meeting to provoke this sort of conversation among the Board? and (2) Why aren’t the Trustees regularly discussing like this on the record and/or in public?
The primary reason for the lack of transparency around Nexstar that was given yesterday was that the Village does not want to potentially telegraph strategy to parties with whom it is negotiating. At first blush, this seems reasonable— anyone who has engaged in any negotiation knows you don’t tip your hand. But, as it applies to local government, and especially when there is so much confusion and fear around initiatives like data centers coming into our neighbors’ backyards, such a tact holds no water as the defacto (and only) strategy. And this is especially true for the Trustees, who have a duty to the citizens as the Legislative Department of the Village.
While the Open Meetings Act permits closed door meetings under exceptions (5 ILCS 120/2(c) et. seq.,), I’ll note that these closed door meetings are not strictly required under the Act — this is a choice the Village Board makes in how it does business. The Trustees are choosing to withhold the full picture (or, frankly, much of any picture) by holding these closed meetings and then rubber-stamping the decisions made in closed session via Consent Agenda.
While there could be edge cases where it is appropriate, making it the default is something I obviously disagree with. Trustees must be able to have delicate conversations in private while also keeping the public in the loop on the things that matter most. When the residents think the Board is being opaque, trust collapses. And, it spirals from there— The demons of disinformation multiply.
You can’t spell Trustee without Trust.
The disinformation dissipates when we discuss and debate respectfully and transparently.
What I presented yesterday is what I’ll bring to every Board Meeting when I’m your Trustee. Because this is what Exceed Exceptional sounds like.
