​​

Better known as JOAN, this candidate has spent over 40 years volunteering in the community at church and schools. A list of some of her work is in the tab Committed to Community and the Advocate article. Her more recent work has been an advocate for the Park Ridge Public Library, serving as a member of the Library Board and member of the Friends of the Library. She has worked with local youth through her work on the Park Ridge Youth Commission, supported our arts community through her work with the Kalo Foundation of Park Ridge at Iannelli Studios, been a regular volunteer for the GoGreen Park Ridge Forest Preserve Clean-Up effort and served as an organizer for the Blanket of Dreams (for 22 years).

 

Through her work with the Park Ridge Historic Preservation Commission, she has played a key role in ensuring our community’s history is preserved and celebrated. She has also been deeply involved with the Park Ridge 20th Century Club Board, Park Ridge Kiwanis and is a member of the Park Ridge Historical Society.

 

Joan made her Park Ridge connection when she met Park Ridge resident, James Steinfels, whose family had moved to Park Ridge in 1950. Its famous art community provided a creative space for artist Melville Steinfels (James's father) whose work can be found across the midwest as well as in Park Ridge’s own Kalo Art Center.  Mel’s work - mosaics and stained glass windows – also adorns the Mary, Seat of Wisdom parish church.

 

As Jim finished active service in the Navy, he worked to launch a private architectural practice intended to serve lower-income communities across Chicagoland. Fascinated by the mission and intrigued by the challenge, Joan went back to school and studied Architectural History and Calculus.  In 1982, she became a licensed architect and, together with her husband, they founded Steinfels Architects. They worked in underprivileged communities across Chicagoland, helping agencies as they modernized and renovated nonprofit facilities that were delivering life-changing services (safe space, education, parenting classes) to thousands in the most disadvantaged of Chicago’s neighborhoods.

 

After outgrowing their small apartment on the northwest side of Chicago, they purchased a home near Cumberland and Devon in Park Ridge. Here they raised a family of 12 children, with 5 sons that joined the Marine Corps; 2 of the children attended the Naval Academy.  In 2011, after Jim passed away from cancer, Joan spent the next few years finishing architectural projects and immersed herself even more into serving her local community, while she retains her architectural license. she has assumed the role of Mary, Seat of Wisdom School's coordinator of admissions and communications; became a Member of the Park Ridge Appearance Commission; and Chair of the Park Ridge Historic Preservation Commission. 

 

Joan grew up in the DC suburbs, the eldest of eight children. She completed her undergraduate studies at Barat College (Lake Forest), earning a Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science. During summers, she served an internship in the White House and was a Copy Girl for the New York Daily News (Washington Bureau). 

 

Joan is a dedicated public servant, a qualified professional, a demonstrated leader, and a committed and nonpartisan community member.  She is extraordinarily prepared to be City Clerk of Park Ridge.