Trustees
Tanya Arias
Tanya Arias, a lifelong resident of Joliet Township, was appointed to serve as Joliet Township Trustee on June 13, 2023. Ms. Arias earned her B.A in Political Science with a concentration in American Government and a minor in History from the University of St. Francis (2015).
Ms. Arias’ career experience includes working as a Community Outreach Assistant for the Will County Forest Preserve, an Administrative Assistant for the Community Services Department for the Village of Richton Park, where she had the opportunity to learn the different roles and duties of municipal departments and assisted with budget reports and analysis. Currently employed at the Will County Clerk’s Office as an Election Analyst, Ms. Arias primary duties include ensuring a fair and transparent election process, voter education, and overseeing the Student Ambassador Program, a high school program for juniors and seniors to engage and learn about the local election process and participate as student election judges.
With community well-being at the forefront, Ms. Arias has continuously advocated for the quality of life of all individuals throughout her numerous community roles. Some of these roles include: current President of the Collins St Neighborhood, Chair and co-founder of the Will County Democratic Latinx Caucus, former President of the Spanish Community Center Board of Directors, a former member of the Joliet Historical Museum Old Joliet Prison Preservation Coalition, a former member of Joliet Township High School Strategic Plan Committee, among other organizations. Ms. Arias believes her knowledge, expertise, and community involvement will assist the Joliet Township board to make impactful decisions to improve the quality of life of all Joliet Township residents.
Cesar Escutia
Mr. Escutia having been elected at 21 years old, is the youngest elected trustee in the history of the state of Illinois. He is a lifelong resident of the Joliet Township neighborhood of Ridgewood and is a graduate of Joliet schools, currently a student at Joliet Junior College.
Having been born into a working class immigrant family, Escutia has always felt a need to represent the interests of workers on every occasion. First and foremost as a proponent of community self-determination. Otherwise known as, Of the People, By the People, For the People.
Ray Slattery
Raymond Slattery has lived in Joliet most of his life. He is well known to the citizens of the area because of his dedication to giving back to the community. He agreed to have his name placed on the ballot and he continues to serve on the Towns Board since 2005.
Ray is Certified Public Accountant. He graduated from the University of Illinois, Champaign-Urbana, and has a Masters’s Degree in Business Administration (MBA) from Benedictine University. He also served in the military and was honorably discharged with the rank of E-5 U.S.A.R.
Ray’s community involvement includes President of the Fox River Valley Chapter of the Institute of Management Accountants, Treasurer for Easterseals Joliet Region, President of the Joliet Evening Lions Club, President of the Joliet Historical Museum, President of the Irish American Society of County Will, and a former board member for a rehab center for drug and alcohol addiction in Rockford.
He is retired from the accounting firm of Slatrrey, Noonan and Company LLC, and is currently the financial secretary for the Joliet Knights of Columbus Council #382.
Ray is married to Rita with 3 children and 7 grandchildren.