Ex-cop challenging alderman in Oakbrook Terrace mayor's race

Tony Ragucci worked to make his hometown a better place as an Oakbrook Terrace police officer for 18 years.

Now retired, Ragucci wants to do what he can from city hall as mayor.

He's facing Alderman James Bojan in a bid for the city's top elected post in the April 7 election. Mayor Tom Mazaika is not seeking re-election.

"It's time for a little bit of change," Ragucci said. "Mayor Mazaika did a great job. I have nothing bad to say about anybody."

But, he said, he wants to be "a more accessible mayor. People need to be more in touch with what's going on. They can come to me any time. If I can't answer it, I'll find somebody with the answer."

Ragucci, 53, said he would be a more hands-on mayor, one who is more involved in day-to-day operations. He attended law enforcement programs at College of DuPage and University of Illinois and currently serves on the city's police pension board.

"I want to run the city as a family household or as a business is run," he said. "The budget will be a structure of success. It won't be a guideline."

His goals include examining the city's expenses to ensure the municipality is living within its means, reviewing the city's comprehensive plan for development to see if it needs adjusting due to the economy and opening lines of communications with Oakbrook Terrace businesses.

"We need to be business-friendly right now in this economy," he said. "You have to work with everybody right now ... help them succeed."

Bojan, who's finishing his second term as alderman, also supports an open-door policy. He said he's always been available and responsive to constituents, whether they are residents or business owners.

"All of my personal information is readily available. Knock on my door anytime," Bojan said. "I'm not adverse from having conversations. If people have concerns I address them."

Bojan decided to run for mayor so he could continue with the latest council's efforts.

"We've got the right people in the right places right now," Bojan said. "The city is working. I think it's moving in the right direction. I'd like to see that continue. With the economy, we've got a lot of work to do."

Bojan, 62, said he believes he's the right man for the job because he's got the experience. He's been on the board since the economy's first slowdown in 2001.

"We know how to weather tough times," he said.

His priorities include keeping an eye on the city's budget to ensure expenses are kept down and services are maintained. He also wants to remedy the water system's drain on the budget and wants to continue with the city's ongoing efforts to support local businesses, including paying for the chamber of commerce's business retention program.

Not only has he been working with businesses as a member of the council, but he's also been on the other side. He retired in 2001 as the international operations controller for Motorola Inc. He has a bachelor's degree in administration of criminal justice and in political science and he recently returned to get his CPA.

"I have the vision. I have the experience. I have the education," Bojan said. "I have the drive. I know what I'm getting into."