Meet the Candidates: Winnetka Park Board, 6 for 3 seats

JUMP TO: Elise Gibson (Duda) (c) | Freddy Johnson | Colleen Root (i, c) | Mary Garrison | Scott Corley (c) | Steven Juliusson
(i: incumbent; c: caucus endorsed)

Six candidates, including one incumbent, are competing for three open seats on the Winnetka Park District Board of Commissioners.

Incumbent Colleen Root, and newcomers Gibson Duda and Scott Corley are endorsed by the Winnetka Caucus. (Updated on Tuesday, March 4) Mary Garrison has reentered the race, while Matthew McCarron is no longer active but will appear on ballots.

Below are basic profiles of the candidates, each of whom submitted a digital form upon request from The Record. The order they are presented was selected at random.

These profiles are just one layer of The Record’s election coverage and are meant to provide community members with basic information about those running for public office. Prior to the election on April 1, The Record will also conduct and publish independent interviews with the candidates.

Name: Elise Gibson (Duda)

Professional experience: Law partner at DLA Piper, retired

Community experience/involvement: Hands-on experience as a room parent and hockey team manager multiple times.

Why are you running for this public office?

I would like to use my consensus building skills to help improve the operation of the Winnetka Park District board and to help improve the relationships between the Winnetka Park District and the other Winnetka taxing bodies. My family has fully enjoyed all that the park district offers and now that I have time, I feel it is my duty to step forward and to help to continue to provide to families and residents a similar level of high quality experiences. Improving community engagement will be key to ensuring that the expectations of the majority of residents are being met.

Name: Freddy Johnson

Professional experience: Finance, real estate

Community experience/involvement: Winnetka park district employee mid ’90s-early 2000s
• Winnetka youth hockey coach 2010-2022
• Winnetka caucus village slating committee 2024

Why are you running for this public office?

Interested in providing as many opportunities for residents (children, adults, seniors) to be active in physical recreational activities. In addition, I’d like to see the park district board of commissioners work well with other taxing bodies in addition to the park district staff.

Name: Colleen Campbell Root

Professional experience: Attorney

Community experience/involvement: Incumbent commissioner of the Winnetka Park District and slated caucus candidate. Second vice president of the (Winnetka-Kenilworth-Northfield) League of Women Voters. Member of Winnetka Congregational Church. Law practice focus in local government, administrative practice, and environmental and natural resource law. Passionate about parks since days as National Park Service seasonal ranger.

Why are you running for reelection to this public office?

As an incumbent, I bring continuity, experience, and a commitment to transparency, fiscal responsibility, and good governance. I prioritize environmental preservation while supporting the park programs our community values. Above all, I listen to constituents and work to implement policies that reflect the needs desired by all residents. I advocate for securing public grants for park improvements and collaborating with all four governing bodies to benefit park residents. My focus is balancing open parkland conservation with evolving community needs, ensuring a strong, sustainable future for Park patrons for generations to come.

Name: Mary Garrison

Professional experience: Degree in science mathematics, aerospace

Community experience/involvement: Served on the Winnetka Park District Board of Commissioners (1991-2007) and as president. Served on Village Plan Commission. Board and president of Illinois Association of Park Districts and recent member of Winnetka Caucus. National Recreation Park Association Board and president of the Citizen Branch. Misericordia Women’s Board president, current member.

Why are you running for this public office?

I have experience and a passion for open space in Winnetka and great interest in the recreational programs provided to our Winnetka Park District citizens. Open space, active or passive, plays a huge role in the health, safety and welfare of our citizens. I believe in the mission statement of the WPD and commissioners having fiscal responsibility, protecting all existing natural resources, lakefront parks and the beaches. I also believe, strongly, in requesting and listening to citizen input.

Name: Scott Corley

Professional experience: Software engineering, ranging from video games to finance

Community experience/involvement: A North Shore native who is raising his four children in Winnetka with his wife, Melissa, was an assistant Scout master with Winnetka Troop 20 for seven years, and (Scott’s) family continues to be active as Winnetka community volunteers.

Why are you running for this public office?

Scott’s interest in the park district stems from his family’s long tradition of volunteer work and park district involvement. As a young man, Scott worked as a park district swimming pool attendant, lifeguard, and swim instructor. He’s excited to get involved again in providing fun to the community.

Name: Steve Juliusson

Professional experience: Marketing, organic farming

Community experience/involvement: I own farmland downstate. I researched organic practices and transitioned to certified organic 12 years ago.

Serving two years on the Winnetka Caucus Parks Committee, I recommended that the WPD use non-toxic lawncare to protect children and pets, and wrote the organic parks question in the latest caucus survey.

Why are you running for this public office?

I’m for bringing transparency, financial prudence and honest government back to the WPD.

If you live here, I think you should be able to use our parks and programs. That means having a robust website, more children’s classes, longer summer camp and open beaches.

I think you should be safe, and not exposed to pesticides or having to swim in stormwater while dogs swim in clean water.  

And I think we shouldn’t be spending $23+ million of your taxes on a mystery beach plan.    

To make these changes, I’ll work for all 12,292 residents of Winnetka. Not just 1 billionaire.

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