Janel Moreland (Mayor of Bellwood, Illinois, candidate 2025)
Janel Moreland (Democratic Party) ran for election to Mayor of Bellwood in Illinois on April 1, 2025.[1]
Elections
2025
Ballotpedia survey responses
See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection
Janel Moreland completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2025. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Moreland's responses. Candidates are asked three required questions for this survey, but they may answer additional optional questions as well.
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I, Janel Moreland currently serves as the elected Village Clerk of Bellwood & has been for the past 7 years. My family & I have resided in Bellwood for 43 years. I have been married for 19 years & is a mother & a grandmother. I graduated from St. Paul Lutheran Grade School & Walther Lutheran HS in Melrose Park. I received my Associate’s Degree in General Education from Triton College & my Bachelor’s Degree in Managerial Communications from Elmhurst College. In my tenure as Village Clerk, I obtained my certification as a Registered Municipal Clerk. Carrying on my parents’ legacy within the Village of Bellwood serving others. My late father, Navy Veteran, Charles Moreland, served as a Part-time Bellwood Police Officer & as Chairman of the Fire & Police Commissioner. My mother Lena Moreland, being employed with the Village of Bellwood for 36 served 4 terms (16 years) as the Village Clerk prior to myself. I am a member of Dorcas Chapter #92, Order of the Eastern Star, PHA-IL. I am the Founder & President of Pink Divas & Gents Breast Cancer Org., that I created in 2019. My purpose is to help, serve, inspire, & empower people to be the best they can be. Among other priorities, I remain focused on the senior citizens, veterans, disabled, youth & the less fortunate. I will continue to advocate & provide services to ensure our residents enjoy the quality of life they deserve.
- I'm running for mayor because I genuinely care about the community and am committed to making a real difference. I will be a mayor who listens, engages with the community, and makes decisions based on the needs of the people, not political interests. I will work on enhancing and amending our policies and plans to improve public safety, economic growth, community services and to provide much needed resources to our community.
- The first plan of action is to work on minimizing our property taxes for the residents. Budget Accountability: Ensure tax dollars are used effectively for the public good. I'll ensure that taxpayer dollars are spent wisely on programs that truly benefit our residents.
- I believe in good governance and transparency. I also believe in a government that works for everyone, not just a select few. Community Engagement: Hold town halls, listen to residents, and promote civic participation. We want to invest in our youth and programs, health and wellness for all. When our residents are thriving then our community is thriving.
I would like to continue on the Moreland legacy in my community that was left by both my parents. Since 1981 my parents have been involved and employed within our village. My late father, Navy Veteran, Charles Moreland, was a full-time supervisor with ComEd while serving as a Part-time Bellwood Police Officer, a member of the Bellwood VFW Post 5081 and prior to his departure from the earth realm he served as Chairman of the Fire & Police Commissioner for several years. My mother Lena Moreland being employed with the Village of Bellwood for 36 years prior to retiring from her last position as the Village Clerk, where she served 4 terms (16 years). Started from the bottom as a part-time dispatch to Records Clerk, then Police Chief Secretary, to Mayor's Executive Assistant and lastly elected Village Clerk. Both of my parents were very active and engaged with and within the community. In my current role as the Village Clerk, I also serve as the village’s official record keeper among many other roles. I cite my focus on our youth and young adults as a priority, so that they see themselves in me, and as a valuable part of the decision making. In summary, the legacy I would like to leave behind is one that encompasses a true leader that with integrity and honesty that genuinely shows compassion, care and concern for my community as a whole. I also, want to be the mayor that is remembered for being a true public servant that enhanced and added value to the lives of the residents within the community I serve.
Integrity & Honesty - Being transparent in decision making. Always act in the best interest of the community and consider their input, vision and concerns. Accountability & Responsibility - Owning your decisions and actions no matter the outcome or situation. Be fiscally responsible and ensure taxpayer money is spent wisely. Review and eliminate debt. Must have a Passion for Public Service - A true public servant puts people before politics. A true public servant genuinely cares about making a difference in people’s lives not just the lives of their own. Be Accessible & and encourage Community Engagement - By being a leader who listens, hold town hall meetings, meet with residents, and stay connected to the community. Make the administration/government more open and responsive to the people we serve.
Leadership Management Serving the public Safety Development and growth Policy implementation Community engagement and public relations Advocacy
I’m passionate about policies that create real impact in people’s lives, especially those that promote equity and opportunity. Community Economic empowerment, growth and sustainability. Education and youth development. Community well-being and public safety. I'm passionate about policies that will enhance one's life, and the community as a whole.
That means that the mayor who is the leader of her city must also be a good follower. Being a good follower teaches one how to value someone else’s opinion, consider the inputs of others, and develop emotional intelligence. Someone who doesn't embody these characteristics probably won’t care about the needs of others, their thoughts or ideas. A good leader in a leadership role has a relationship with those that follows and are bound together by their understanding that they are a part of the same social group. Being an effective leader shows that our behavior indicates that we share our values, concerns and experiences. A good leader is looking to advance the interests of the community rather than own personal interests. We're in this together.
Bellwood Residents/voters, families and friends are all the endorsements we need to win this race.
Gospel Singer Koryn Hawthorne - Unstoppable The lyrics embodies alot of what I'm going through and have been through. They also describe my faith and trust in God, His plan, myself, my drive and determination. This song covers real life struggles but not giving up and continuing to push through. Lyrics: They told you that you couldn't do it 'cause you're washed up Ain't like them bad girls, said you should get your sauce up, But I got this plan, and you might not understand I'm gon' go hard as I can And I'm gon' be the boss of it. Just watch me do this, put no limits, only swag on it Walk right up to the front where I belong, then brag on it Go to the top, I'ma give it all I got Might take a lot, but we ain't gon' ever stop Now, I do believe I'm something special Can't take that from me So you can say what you want I go harder, stronger Be who I'm supposed to be 'Cause I'm unstoppable, I get all the way in it That's the way I was made, and I'm up on my bidness 'Cause I'm unstoppable, ain't no hoping and wishing Say a prayer, catch a wave, then I go out and get it 'Cause I can be what I want, try it if I want Powered by the King and He won't let me fall 'Cause I'm unstoppable!
There was a pastor that asked all the husbands in his congregation to step forward if you run your household. Only one husband out of many stepped forward. The pastor was very impressed and asked the one husband, "so how do you do it? You are the only husband present that stepped forward. How do you run your household?" The husband then replied, "I don't know. My wife told me to step forward." LOL!
I believe the ideal relationship between the mayor's office and law enforcement is developing and maintaining a level of trust and understanding on both ends. Law enforcement must know that I support their growth and appreciate their commitment to serving and protecting others. There must be a genuine care and concern from both sides with the common goal being protecting and serving our community, residents, and businesses.
Note: Ballotpedia reserves the right to edit Candidate Connection survey responses. Any edits made by Ballotpedia will be clearly marked with [brackets] for the public. If the candidate disagrees with an edit, he or she may request the full removal of the survey response from Ballotpedia.org. Ballotpedia does not edit or correct typographical errors unless the candidate's campaign requests it.
External links
[1] ↑ Submitted to Ballotpedia's candidate survey in 2025.
