Kristen Chiaro

Yes

Trustee

Term (2023-2027)

kchiaro@chathamil.gov

It all started with a wish to make things better. At first, it was to make our lives better, then to make our son’s education better, and then a mission to make our Village better. Personal missions are nothing new to me. I am always working towards something, so seeking public office came honestly, I suppose.

Born in Springfield, I come from and married into a family with steadfast love of Country and community. With both grandfathers serving in WWII and uncles in Vietnam, patriotism runs deep. And marrying into a family of established small business owners rooted the hometown spirit that makes me want everyone to feel like they’re home.

While I didn’t really plan it out, my professional and life experiences all led to public service. After graduating from Indiana State University with a Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education, my daughter and I returned to my birthplace where I met my husband Brett-and life took on new meaning. My fascination with the political atmosphere led to impassioned civic duty and became a part of who I am.

I dedicated more than ten years to state government in Communications where I reported on agency programs and initiatives available to the public, thusly, and inadvertently learning how to find resources for almost any need. But more significantly, it cemented the idea that the most important thing of everything is listening. No message can be conveyed, and no one can be reached until the concern is understood.

Serving as Teamster Steward resolving internal matters and helping develop a morale boosting employee recognition program that sprung from my division into an agency wide initiative ingrained the importance of keeping your own house in order and preventing small issues from becoming big issues that hinder the broader purpose. Basically, everything is better when the people you rely on are heard and valued. And when difficult situations are handled with care, there is always a path forward.

That’s a keepsake from IDOT that I carry with me in office. I believe that listening to and understanding the needs of the community, seeking common ground and finding resolutions to struggles that affect us all will build a better and stronger house. Which is why my overall mission as Village Trustee is to work with citizens, and local, state and federal governments to collectively evolve into the best and brightest future possible.