Dan MacGillis: Candidate Profile

Back to Round Lake Mayor

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: Round LakeWebsite: Proroundlake.com (Under construction)Twitter: Candidate did not respond.Facebook: Candidate did not respond.Office sought: Round Lake Mayor Age: 58Family: Married to Annamarie MacGillis. My brother Dr. Doug MacGillis and his wife Dawn of Deary Idaho. Son of the late Douglas and Karmena. Dad was elected Mayor of Round Lake in 1961. And of course our two cats Angus and Gilbert.Occupation: 1st working Mayor of Round LakeEducation: Graduated Round Lake High School #116 1976. Attended CLC 1976-1978. Graduated from SIU Carbondale 1980 Mortuary Science and Associates of Arts.Civic involvement: Past Zone and Plan CommissionerPast V.P. Round Lake Area ChamberPast member of the Exchange ClubPast Trustee R.L. Fire Protection Dist.Past Lions Club Eye Enucleation ProgramCurrent Mayor Round LakeBoard of Directors CLCJAWACenCom Jets DirectorDirector Northwest Water ReclamationElected offices held: See Civic InvolvementsQuestions Answers What makes you the best candidate for the job?As described by our Village Administrator, I am Round Lake's 1st full time working Mayor. I have taken on the role of being a part of administration to best oversee operations. I have provided a clear vision for the future of Round Lake that has full support of our Board. We have re-organized all departments which improved efficiency and accountability throughout the organization. A new Comprehensive Plan was approved in 2016 along with a marketing plan and the first ever strategic plan process. This will provide the finest services to our residents and Businesses. There is no future without planning.How would you describe the condition of your community's budget, and what are the most important specific actions the town should take to assure providing the level of services that people want?We operate with a fiscally conservative budget. Operating revenues exceed operating expenses every year. However, capital expenditures (i.e. roads, infrastructure, property etc.) strain our future cash position. That is why we have invested in a new planner to maximize economic development opportunities and create new revenue sources.Where, if anywhere, could the current budget be trimmed, and conversely, are there areas the budget does not give enough money to?We have been so conservative over the years that there is no room to cut without affecting services. We are definitely lacking resources for manpower and dollars to address economic development. We must take measures to develop a retail tax base. Village revenues are highly dependent on property taxes which are not enough to sustain our future. Raising property taxes is not the answer. We must develop other revenue resources.Describe your leadership style and explain how you think that will be effective in producing effective actions and decisions with your village board or city council.My leadership is all about trust and team work. That is why I became a working mayor. Over the past four years I have put the team in place starting with a new Village Administrator, new Director of Finance, Public Works Director, Human Resource manager and Village Planner. All departments have been reorganized to maximize efficiency and improve accountability. These measures have proven my capabilities as a leader to the Trustees. I have established trust and communication between the Trustees and administration. By developing planning efforts that never before existed we are creating clear goals and initiative for our future. These actions have united our Board and put us on course to accomplish our goals by working together.What is one good idea you have to better the community that no one is talking about yet?Community involvement has been a priority of mine. I established the Business Owners Summit and Home Owners Association Summits. After LDOT finishes phase one engineering for the Cedar Lake Road re-alignment, I want to look at developing an outdoor community center. This will provide an area for events, entertainment and a place for people to gather. Cedar Lake Road re-alignment and a community center are the first steps in my vision of developing a Transit Oriented Development community in our downtown area.What other issues, if any, are important to you as a candidate for this office?Round Lake is a hidden gem of a community. According to CMAP Homes for a Changing Environment, Round Lake has the best and most affordable new high quality housing stock in the area. Along with a very low crime rate, access to eight school districts and an incredible Park District, it is a premier small bedroom community. In order to maintain that quality, we must address the issue of economic development. Round Lake, compared to other communities our size has the lowest retail tax base per capita in the State. That must change.Please name one current leader who most inspires you.President Trump for swiftly acting on his politial promises.What is the biggest lesson you learned at home growing up?Honesty creates good character.If life gave you one do-over, what would you spend it on?Defining a sustainable career.What was your favorite subject in school and how did it help you in later life?Microbiology. It makes you aware of all the hidden thing there are in life.If you could give your children only one piece of advice, what would it be?I do not have children. If I did, I would share the lessons of my parents.