Steve Weber: 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: MokenaWebsite: stevewebercpa.comOffice sought: Will County Treasurer Age: 51Family: married, 3 kidsOccupation: CPA, auditorEducation: Lewis University BA college of business, accounting major/ finance minorCivic involvement: Treasurer Boy Scouts of America 20 years. Former treas Will County Child Advocacy Center. Former board member salvation army. Former president Will County Land Conservancy.Elected offices held: Will County Auditor 2000-2008Questions Answers Why are you running for this office, whether for re-election or election for the first time? Is there a particular issue that motivates you? If so, what?To lower the cost of government and treat the customers with respect. I bring proven business practices to the county and save tons of money for the already overburdened citizens of illinois. This office should not have a novice at the lead its a $400 million bank!If you are an incumbent, describe your main contributions. Tell us of any important initiatives you've led. If you are a challenger, what would you bring to the board and what would your priority be?I lowered operating costs my 1st year in by $244,000 and returned money. We have earned 6.5 times more interest in my first term than my predecessor. Reduced credit card fees to the consumer by 12%. Saved $37,500 in postage using the US postal service rules to your advantage. 1st treasurer in Illinois to have a smart phone app to pay RE taxes. Started the pre payment program to help with families budgets. No more employees driving to the bank the armored truck comes to us for free. More secure, more interest, longer hours and faster, friendlier service.You would take over a fairly unknown office. Do you see any potential for collaboration with other local governments to get people more in tune with what the treasurer does and resources available?I was the Auditor and put in the investment program general ledger (accounting system) so its no at al unknown. We meet regularly with the other treasurers and email daily to share ideas. I started meeting the Lake, Dupage focus group since we are so alike and we share alot of ideas.How do you assess the success of the treasurer's office on what you see as its chief duties? Do you see areas of the operation in need of improvement?Saved $860,000 by paying off debt early. Outsourced the printing of the tax bill and saved over $200,000. When the other 130 County Treasurers ask me to present at their conference in my 1st year that tells you something. I have changed so much my first term but we need reform at the state level to cap Re taxes. My savings get wasted due to the overspending in Springfield.Describe your position on transparency in the office and the ease of access to records by the public. How effective is the office's website and other outreach efforts in helping the public interact with the office and understand their government? If you believe improvements are needed, what are they and how would you go about achieving them?We are fully transparent as Adam A will attest via the full ledger posted on the counties website. All bills, bids, checks. All our FIO requests get posted in detail so you can see what others are requesting. Come in and look, we have always hadopen door policy.What other issues, if any, are important to you as a candidate for this office?Results are important, not politics. I have a anti-fraud, audit, bank, accounting background that is perfect for this office. A medical or health care background would not be a fit.Please name one current leader who most inspires you.Sheriff Joe Arpaio is great.What's the biggest lesson you learned at home growing up?If your going to do it, do it right.If life gave you one do-over, what would you spend it on?More time with family.What was your favorite subject in school and how did it help you in later life?math gym. I can calculate and move fast, in politics thats priceless.If you could give your children only one piece of advice, what would it be?Do more than is expected all the time.