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Jennifer Case has spent more than a decade bringing Palos Heights residents together—whether organizing the Fourth of July parade, supporting small businesses, or volunteering at city events. Now, after 22 years in the community, the longtime resident and active volunteer is taking that passion to the ballot, challenging Alderman Jack Clifford for the 2nd Ward seat in the upcoming election.
“I want to see grandmas, moms, dads, and little kids doing things together—just preserving that time we have,” Case said. “Bringing the community together is one of the big things for me.”
Case, who has raised her five children in Palos Heights, has been deeply involved in local programs. Her husband, John Case, was the founding president of a local school organization, and her children have participated in everything from city sports leagues to jobs at the recreation center.
Her decision to run for alderman, she said, comes at the right time in her life.
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“My kids are growing up, and I have one left at home, so now’s a good time for me to give back more and do more at a higher level,” she said. “I’ve been volunteering for years, but I feel like I can make a bigger impact now.”
Beyond her work in the community, Case brings over two decades of leadership experience from the business sector. As an executive at CompTIA Inc., she manages finance systems, data infrastructure, and e-commerce operations, working directly with the company’s CFO.
“I’ve done my career for over 22 years, and I’ve learned a lot of leadership skills that I can bring back to the community,” she said. “I manage financial systems, reconcile data from vendors to bank accounts, oversee digital fulfillment, and make sure our pricing is correct across platforms. My role is all about seeing the big picture but also executing plans with a budget in place.”
She said those skills translate directly to city government.
“I see things being stalled, and there isn’t always good planning and execution,” Case said. “If the community decides on major goals, we need to make sure everyone is aligned, that we’re communicating, and that there’s follow-through to get things done.”
One of the key issues she hopes to tackle is parking, a long-standing concern among ward residents. While previous efforts included hiring consultants and conducting surveys, Case believes little action has been taken.
“We have a parking problem, and it’s a larger issue than just buying a parking lot,” she said. “Let’s look at all the parking spaces we have and make them more usable and safe. The lots should be well-lit, free of potholes, and clearly marked with signage directing people to extra parking.”
Beyond infrastructure, Case wants to improve communication between the city and residents. She plans to distribute her personal contact information and hold town halls to ensure people feel heard.
“I hear what people say in the smaller groups I’m part of, but I want to see the bigger picture and get more perspectives,” she said. “How do we decide the city’s goals? How do we ensure businesses, residents, and city services are all involved in shaping the future?”
She said transparency has been a major concern for residents.
“I’ve had people tell me they’ve lived here for 40 years and never heard from their alderman,” she said. “I want to change that. People should know who to go to when they have questions.”
Case said she respects Clifford’s service but believes fresh perspectives and new energy are needed.
“I think term limits are important,” she said. “We need new energy at the table. Watching city council meetings, there isn’t a lot of energy there. I want to bring leadership, engagement, and an open ear to the community.”
She also pointed to her visibility and accessibility as a key difference between herself and Clifford.
“I’m out in the community. I’m at the local restaurants, the events—I’m present,” she said. “I’m at the concerts in the park, the farmers market, the coffee shops. People see me there, and they know they can talk to me.”
Her campaign will continue engaging directly with residents, with a key event being a debate hosted by the League of Women Voters on March 6 at the Palos Heights Recreation Center.
“This city is special,” Case said. “It’s like a Hallmark town. I want to make sure that as we grow, we preserve what makes Palos Heights great while addressing the needs of every generation.”
The election is April 1. Early voting starts Monday, March 17.
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