Charles Maher: Candidate Profile

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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:BioQA Bio City: NapervilleWebsite: www.hart-maher.comOffice sought: Will County board District 11 Age: 56Family: Wife: Sarah Maher Daughters: Heather, Holly, Kellie, Noelle Sons In-Law: Justin Olson (Heather), Kevin Wilmsen (Holly) Grandchildren: Tristin Skyler Olson (twins), Lucas WilmsenOccupation: Business Owner and Educational Consultant. Career progression: a classroom teacher, a transition coordinator, a clinical director, a high school principal. Currently consulting with universities on accreditation and improvement of student performance assessmentsEducation: * Masters of Science in Rehabilitation Counseling and Psychology, Illinois Institute of Tech * B.S. in Special Education from Western Illinois University * Certificate for Work Study Coordinator from NIU * Certificate - Family Therapy Institute U of I CircleCivic involvement: * Naperville Development Partnership * Naperville Chamber of Commerce * Bolingbrook Chamber of Commerce * Kidz Kabaret Board of Directors * West Suburban Irish (Past President and member) * Knights of Columbus * Wheatland Township Republican Organization * NYFL - Squad Parent for In-house cheer - (1st father to serve as a NYFL cheerleading squad parent) * PTA and PTSA in District 204 (Past legislative and Bylaw chair for Neuqua Valley) * Wheatland Basketball coach * Wheelchair Basketball coach and referee * Liturgy Panning Committee - St. Raphael Church * CRHP - St. Raphael Church * Religious Education Teacher - St. Raphael Church * Girl scouts assisting troop leaders on various outings and camping events. Chaperoned 8th grade trip to Colorado * Ribfest Volunteer * Little Friends Volunteer * Annual Volunteer for Jr. Exchange Club Holiday Dinner for the Breaking Free Organization * Past President of the Illinois Rehabilitation AssociationElected offices held: Will County Board Member; Will County Forest Preserve Commissioner; President of Illinois Rehabilitation Counseling Association; Chairman of the Professional Counselor Licensing Board; President of Grassroots Committee of DuPage County; Board Member of Counselor Licensing Task-force; President of West Suburban Irish; Wheatland Township Precinct CommitteemanHave you ever been arrested for or convicted of a crime? If yes, please explain: NoQuestions Answers Why are you running for this office? Is there a particular issue that motivates you, and if so, what is that?I first ran for the County Board with a passion to become involved in our local government, to do my best to improve the ways and means we invest our tax dollars. I always felt that 'There are too many government taxing bodies but only 'One Body of Tax Payers!'That passion within me is still there.As for issues what motivates me, I have outlined the following:Issue #1Our primary job is to maintain a strict control on spending, keep taxes at there minimum and provide access to open government. Over the last ten years I've helped stop tax increases, voted for holding or lowering the tax rate, and worked on creating policies that provide more access to the voters. Issue #2Create policies that support an environment for job creation and growth. Over the last ten years our board has worked with the Council for Economic Development of Will County. Due to my persistence, we have established a new committee whose focus is the formation of practices and policies to help businesses flourish in Will County. With all the issues in the State of Illinois, local government bodies have to do more to keep and lure businesses to our area.Key Issue #3Continue to support and preserve open space. As a Will County Forest Preserve Commissioner, and Past Chair of Operations Committee, I understand the need for open space. A couple of our recent accomplishments in preserving land are the acquisition of property for the Whalon Lake and Riverview Farmstead projects. If elected, I will continue to work on reviewing and updating our policies to maintain the progress that we've made in these areas and those that come before us.What differentiates you most from your opponents in the race?Experience and drive is definitely the difference between my opponents and myself. I spent 6 years working to pass legislation in Springfield, another 6 years chairing a regulatory board overseeing the licensing of counselors in IL and for the last 11 years I have been working on various committees and now serve as Republican Whip for the Will County Board. This is not my career -- it is my passion for serving my community. My career is as an educator and consultant. It's funny how your passion to help others can give you the energy to go the extra mile after a long day at work.Are there any county issues unique to Naperville that you plan to address?Keeping taxes and spending in check are the main issues that impact all our taxpayers, but especially the citizens of Naperville. Naperville straddles 2 counties - Will and DuPage. With over 60,000 people in the Will County side of Naperville, it is the second largest municipality in the county; largest if you combine the two. Our property values are also some of the highest in the County, making the amount of money sent to support county services extremely disproportionate. We need to ensure that Naperville has not only representation on the Board, but as Republican Whip, I can also ensure that we have a strong voice in County Leadership when issues do arise.If you are an incumbent, describe your main contributions. Tell us about important initiatives you've led. If you are not an incumbent, tell us what contributions you would make.During my tenure of service to the citizens of Will County, I have spearheaded several initiatives. The first was as chairman of the Energy and Utility Resource Committee. I brought local communities and utility companies together avoiding costly lawsuits our taxpayers would have shouldered. Also in that role I began the research and discussion about capturing methane gas from our landfills. This allowed us to generate enough energy to sell on the open market earning non-tax related income for the County. This initiative will provide the county millions of dollars in revenue over it's life time.As chairman of Capital Improvements I spearheaded our current initiative for a comprehensive capital assessment. This was the first assessment of this magnitude ever done by the County of Will. This assessment uncovered duplication of services, and infrastructure deficiencies, that when corrected will save the taxpayers money. Prior to our conducting the assessment, I initiated a countywide workshop, which created the first mission and vision statement for Will County. This Mission and Vision statement continues to provide direction in our decision-making processes.As a Will County Forest Preserve Commissioner I participated in the vision, creation and implementation of Whalon Lake and the dog park at the lake, as well as the Riverview Farmstead Preserve. These projects will provide endless hours of enjoyment for the residents of Naperville and Will County.Finally, is there anything we haven't asked about that you feel we should know?Since high school I have worked and volunteered to improve the lives of people in my community. I first ran for the County Board to get involved in our local government, to do my best to improve the ways and means we invest our tax dollars -- thus improving our lives.I have never felt such a sense of giving back to the community as I have been privileged to experience serving as a member of the Will County Board. If I am lucky enough to be re-elected I will continue to work hard for the citizens of Naperville and all of Will County.