Siv Panicker, an Indian American entrepreneur, has been chosen as a trustee for the Village of Plainfield, Illinois. He will now join the village president on the governing board. His election marks a meaningful step for community representation in a region where Indian Americans are still a minority.
Panicker, who has called Plainfield home for the past eight years, shared with the Times of India that his decision to run stemmed from a genuine desire to serve. “I care deeply about Plainfield and its people,” he said, noting his past involvement with political groups and campaign work. As someone from the working class, he believes he can relate to the needs of everyday residents and use his education and professional journey to contribute effectively. He stressed the importance of having leaders who actively listen and serve with integrity, especially from underrepresented communities.
Now self-employed, Panicker is confident in balancing his responsibilities as a trustee by managing his time efficiently and collaborating with fellow board members. In Plainfield’s non-partisan system, trustees serve four-year terms and are tasked with setting village policies, enacting ordinances, approving budgets, and serving constituents.
Throughout his campaign, Panicker focused on issues residents care most about—affordable living, safety, and lowering the financial strain on families. He voiced concerns over rising property taxes, explaining that although officials claimed reduced tax revenue, residents continued to bear high real estate costs. He linked the issue to increasing village expenditures and insufficient business tax income.
Despite being a small demographic—around 1,100 Indian voters in a population of 55,000—Panicker sees the tides shifting as more Indian families move to Plainfield due to more affordable housing. He moved to the US in 1995 after earning a master’s degree and built a diverse career—from IT and software engineering to running businesses in retail and healthcare. Now a full-time stock trader, he and his physician wife are well integrated into the broader community.
Panicker conveyed confidence in the increasing political influence of Indian Americans throughout the United States, especially within local governance. With more individuals entering Congress, state legislatures, and school boards, he sees this as a powerful sign of civic engagement and increased voter participation from the Indian American community.
