Note: This is the seventh in a 10-part series of stories introducing candidates who are on the ballot for the first time in Homewood and Flossmoor village board races. There is more competition for trustee seats than usual in Homewood. In 2023, five candidates ran for four seats. This year, Homewood’s new political party, the Greener Homewood Party, has swelled the ranks to eight candidates vying for four seats. More candidate profiles will be included in our March edition.
Patrick McAneney has been thinking about running for office for 15 years, and when the Greener Homewood Party formed in 2024, he saw it as his opportunity to get on the ballot.
McAneney brings experience working for local government to the campaign. He is currently superintendent of parks and planning for the Homewood-Flossmoor Park District. He served as Glenwood director of public works for more than a decade. He worked for Homewood Public Works Department for 16 years, most recently as assistant director from 2018-2023.
He believes that experience would be useful, especially as the village addresses infrastructure needs. One issue that will be a huge challenge over the next decade will be the replacement of lead-lined water service lines, currently estimated to cost about $76 million. He said that will be difficult to accomplish, but his experience working with state agencies and grant funders could help.
Beyond his work experience, McAneney is a lifelong resident.
“I know the community, I know the communities around us,” he said. “I have, you know, working relationships with people.”
He also hopes to advocate for more openness in village government, noting that Homewood rarely has committee of the whole meetings that work to increase residents’ involvement in decision making.
“Why are we so reluctant to having open discussion about upcoming issues?” he said.
