Influential Woman · Municipal Government - Housing Inspection and Code Enforcement

Marcia HollisBratcher

Housing Coordinator/ Senior Housing Inspector, VILLAGE OF MATTESON

Hazel Crest, IL

Certifications · Degrees · Memberships

Degree Business degree from Southwestern Christian College Degree Emergency Management and Planning degree from Red Rock College Degree Emergency Management and Leadership degree in progress at Drury University (expected graduation May 2026) Cert ICC Certified Housing Inspector

Her Story

About Marcia

I've dedicated over 20 years to working in municipal government because I've always loved working and helping people. I started my career coming out of college as a fire prevention secretary, and when the fire chief moved to the Village of Hazelcrest, he brought me over as his administrative assistant. While working there, I also served as a court adjudication clerk and code officer, and that's when I realized I needed to get ICC certified to be an inspector. Each position I held moved me up and gave me more knowledge to eventually become a housing coordinator. I worked for Hazelcrest for 16 years before joining the Village of Matteson 4 years ago. Now I hold dual roles as both Housing Coordinator and Senior Housing Inspector. I created an ordinance last year requiring all rental properties to be inspected annually, and I'm spearheading that program along with the crime-free housing program that I share responsibilities for with the police department. My work involves getting rental owners to restore their properties, scheduling annual inspections, and ensuring compliance with fire codes and building codes. I also do inspections for the sale of homes, making sure codes are updated throughout the home prior to selling. What I love most about my work is that it's about helping the community and saving lives. Just recently, I went in to do an inspection and smelled gas in a multi-unit property, and I believe I was able to save several lives. That's what this is about for me - saving lives and making sure homes are safe. I'm proud to be one of the only women in this field with certification, and I want to be a voice for women to get more involved in this industry because it pays very well and it's our time to step up.

Her Interview

Ten minutes with Marcia

01What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?

Study. Get out there, do the physical work, learn, be able to get out there and have a mentor or mentee. It's not easy, because all of the work - it's a lot to learn. There are different areas you have to learn about building homes, you have to learn about the code, fire codes, you have to learn about building codes, HVAC, just anything to do with housing. You want to learn and be able to listen and learn, and keep going, keep going. I want women to be empowered and to get involved and encouraged to get more in this field. I feel like I can be a voice for women, people coming into this industry, to get them more involved, and to let women know that this is a space that we need to get into as well. It pays very well. And step up. It's our time.

02What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?

The most challenges that I have as a woman is just because I am a woman, and them thinking that I don't have the knowledge. But I also have my certifications, and no one in that department has a certification - they're all male. So it's just showing up and doing the work and just letting them know that yes, I know I should be here, I have the knowledge, I'm doing the work. That's really all I can do is just show up and show that I should be here, and that I have the knowledge, and do the work, and keep going.

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