Gordon Goodman, a retired chemical physicist who worked at Argonne National Laboratory, is a long-time activist in Downers Grove. In 1990, he led a successful effort to quash a referendum for financing the construction of a water park in a residential neighborhood. The measure was ultimately killed by a margin of more than 80 percent. 

Fueled by that success, Goodman stayed engaged in his community. He felt both the power and the limitations of speaking out on his own. . When he came across CAC in the early 1990s—shortly after it opened its doors in nearby Elmhurst—he began volunteering because he saw it as a way to expand citizen involvement. 

“I had not seen a structure like this,” he said of CAC. “It was the next step in the work we were doing.” 

Instead of Goodman having to find lawyers or teach people how to become activists within the confines of Downers Grove, CAC provided those services and covered all of DuPage County. 

Goodman invited people to work with CAC even if they held views opposed to his. He was a strong proponent of resources for parks but encouraged a couple to consult CAC when they sought a referendum to limit spending on parks. 

He became more involved and joined the CAC board in 1999. He is still involved today, serving as the organization's secretary, managing its finances, and working on the personnel committee. 

“The Center helps me advance the view that citizens should be active and able to influence their own government,” Goodman said.