John Lawson: Candidate Profile

Note: Answers provided have not been edited for grammar, misspellings or typos. In some instances, candidate claims that could not be immediately verified have been omitted. Jump to:BioKey IssuesQA Bio City: Hoffman EstsWebsite: Candidate did not respond.Office sought: Schaumburg Township Assessor (4-year Term)Age: 50Family: Married for 26 years to my wife Laura. Two sons, Kevin 20 and Robert 23Occupation: Police Officer, Township AssessorEducation: Master Degree in Police Administration/Criminal Justice, Lewis UniversityCivic involvement: I have served as a distinguished member of the police department for 27 years, earning recognition asPolice Officer of the Year,? with the Village of Roselle in 1992, as well as earning an award for "Illinois Police Officer of the Year" from the Illinois State Crime Commission in 1997. I currently hold the rank of Sergeant assigned to patrol as a Watch Commander with the Roselle Police Department. Serving as Schaumburg Township Assessor since 2004, I have been a fierce advocate for taxpayers hosting numerous seminars that educate and assist residents in appealing their property tax assessments. Often, Cook County incorrectly assesses the market value of resident's homes, resulting in a higher property tax bill. As Assessor, I have led the fight to get those assessments reduced in a fair and ethical manner. I also holds a State of Illinois Certified Illinois Assessing Officers License.Elected offices held: Assessor to the Township of Schaumburg. 3 termsHave you ever been arrested for or convicted of a crime? If yes, please explain: noCandidate's Key Issues Key Issue 1 I would continue my fight for all residential property owners to appeal their property taxes two times a year. For those of us that live in Cook County, we all know the nightmare of appealing our property taxes. I would continue to fight for fair and equal assessments using comparable properties and work closely with the Cook County Township Assessors.Key Issue 2 To provide information and services which are accessible, prompt and accurate. This is possible, in part, because township government is so close to the local property owner.Key Issue 3 Candidate did not respond.Questions Answers Name the three most important goals or objectives this board should tackle in the coming term. Prioritize them, and briefly discuss why you believe each to be critical, and how the board should go about addressing them.N/AIn the 21st Century, with municipalities gobbling up vacant land, why are townships needed? Should they be serving a new role? If so, what?Township government serves all the property owners and residents of both the municipalities and unincorporated areas within its boundaries. There is no reason to reinvent township government. The Township of Schaumburg endeavors to operate effectively and efficiently under the guidelines of the statutes of Illinois. Further, we are aware of what other municipalities do and endeavor not to duplicate services to residents in need.What should be the primary responsibility of township government?The primary function of township government involves three main responsibilities: (1) to provide general assistance to the indigent, (2) the assessment of real property and assistance to taxpayers with appeals and (3) maintenance of the roads and bridges in the unincorporated areas of the township. Besides that the township provides other vital services and supports agencies for those residents in need such as youth and family counseling, assistance to the disabled and senior citizens.In these hard economic times, can you identify some township expenses/programs that could be trimmed or eliminated to reduce the tax burden?Because of thehard economic times? we have more township residents accessing programs for those in need, yet the board maintain an adequate level of services without increasing the budget for programs and services. In the assessors office, residents would have to drive to Chicago to get their questions taken care of.What specific background or experience do you bring that makes you the best qualified candidate to serve as an elected official in the township?I am in my 3rd term as the assessor in the Township of Schaumburg. I have been in public service for 27 years. People come first. Since moving to Schaumburg in 1986, I been an active member of the community, being an involved member of St. Walter Catholic Church in Roselle. I serve on the Illinois Association of Chief's of Police legislative committee, Illinois State Crime Commission legislative committee, Northwest Suburban Chief's of Police Association, Illinois Township Officials Association and Cook County Assessors Association.