Q&A With Park Board Candidate Phil Luetkehans

Phil Luetkehans is running for the park district board after having served for four years—two of which, he was president. He graduated with a bachelors degree from the University of Notre Dame, and with a law degree from Loyola University of Chicago. He has been an attorney for 22 years, and has lived in Wheaton for 43 years. In addition to his community involvement on the park board, he was been coaching youth soccer and basketball for over 30 years.

Wheaton Patch: What is the primary reason you are running for this office?

Phil Luetkehans: To continue to provide a service to the community that has given so much to me and my family through the years.  I want to continue the good work this Board has done over the past 4 years by continuing to increase the professionalism of the operation of the Park District. We have expanded programs, increased accessibility to those programs and made our programs and facilities more profitable.  

Patch: What will be your single most important priority if elected?

Luetkehans: To keep the Park District financially strong.  We have continually strived over the past 4 years to ensure economic viability in our programs.  This is shown in the fees for nonresidents at Cosley and the profitability that has been a focus at Arrowhead.  At the same time, we have been able to increase our ability to provide services to those who are having economic troubles. 

Patch: What sets you apart from the other candidates?

Luetkehans: Because of my experience in municipal and construction law, I bring a different perspective that allows me to bring ideas to the Park District that I have seen utilized successfully by other governmental bodies over the years.  Over the past 4 years I have successfully used these ideas and my contacts with other governmental bodies to improve opportunities and operations at the Park District.

Patch: How long have you lived in Wheaton?

Luetkehans: 43 years

Patch: What's your favorite thing about Wheaton?

Luetkehans: The sense of community and the fact that it is a wonderful place to raise children.  Further, the community is concerned with making Wheaton a better place for all of us to live.

Patch: What is the biggest problem facing the park district?

Luetkehans: The biggest problem currently facing the Park District is being able to continue providing services at reasonable rates.  The possible loss of the Old Hubble Middle School and the facilities there puts this at risk.  The Park District needs to do everything it can to maintain the use of the open space and gymnasiums so that we can continue to provide the services the public has come to expect.

Patch: What ideas do you have for the Wheaton Park District—whether new ideas or on current issues facing the board?

Luetkehans: I would like the Park District to have an outside agency, such as the Citizen Advocacy Center, come in and check our efforts at becoming as transparent as possible.  I would like to see us continue and raise our level of partnerships with both the public and private sector, such as we have done with CDH, the County and the Forest Preserve District.