Jeff Shuert: 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: LombardWebsite: Candidate did not respond.Office sought: Lombard Board, District 4Age: 39Family: Married with two elementary-age daughters.Occupation: Director of Musculoskeletal Services at DuPage Medical Group administering leadership for physician practices including orthopaedic surgery, spine surgery, pain medicine, podiatry, physiatry, rheumatology and physical/occupational therapy services.Education: -Bachelors of Health Science #8211; Physical Therapy, University of Missouri #8211; Columbia, 1993-MBA (concentrations in Finance and Strategic Planning), University of Illinois - Chicago, 2002Civic involvement: Involvement at Church, Lombard Park District asst. soccer coach (multiple years), Parent-Teacher AssociationElected offices held: None.Have you ever been arrested for or convicted of a crime? If yes, please explain: No.Candidate's Key Issues Key Issue 1 Downtown Lombard Development-A reasonable Downtown Revitalization Plan has been developed which gives a great framework for developing Downtown Lombard into what many of its residents wish it to be. The scope of this plan is significantly scaled back from previous plans and is being evaluated and priced by the Village's Departments and Committees. History has shown the development of Downtown Lombard to be full of challenges. However, the village is, despite the recent years' economy, doing well. We are well positioned and prepared to create opportunities in Downtown Lombard so that as the economy begins to move forward, Lombard is ready to run forward with it. Future success will only happen as the downtown property owners, business owners, the Village and our residents commit to achieving this success. Together, along with new private investment, Downtown Lombard will flourish to become what we all envision it can be.Key Issue 2 Taxation-Quite simply, to hold the line on taxes and fees and where possible, eliminate or decrease these fees. Almost anything can be had with money, but the monies are best left in the hands of the residents. The Village has historically done a great job at maintaining low tax rates and still providing wonderful services levels for public safety, public works and more. As long as the limited scope of Village government is maintained, there is no reason that providing for the Village's costs cannot be achieved with current tax levels.Key Issue 3 Bicycle Pedestrian ways-We need to set up this Village's infrastructure, and its residents, for success. One great way the village can, and should, contribute is by making sure the streets and pedestrian ways are safe and easily accessible. To accomplish this we must complete the Great Western Trail bridges and lighting projects and complete the Lilac Bikeways throughout the Village. These bikeways need to provide convenient connections for our residents between the Great Western Trail, the Illinois Prairie Path, Downtown Lombard and other high traffic sites in Lombard including our schools and parks.Questions Answers What makes you the best candidate for the job?As a resident of Lombard for the past 10 years, I've experienced the joy of living in a community filled with pride and focused on growth. Both of my daughters have only known Lombard as home. Their personal connections, along with my relationships with friends and neighbors, make me want to see Lombard grow and prosper, so that we can continue to enjoy this Village we call home. My background in healthcare has trained me to understand working in a heavily regulated environment and that success of even the most well-intentioned ideas have to work within the numbers to really be fruitful. My career has included years of patient care as a physical therapist helping others reach their goals, years of starting and managing new clinics and even a new hospital, and most recently with DuPage Medical Group helping to administer the delivery of the best healthcare services in the county and beyond.Given the delicate balance between the need for revenue and over-taxing local businesses, what is your opinion of your community's present level of local sales taxes? Is the tax just right, too low or too high? Explain.We cannot afford to raise taxes any higher. After reviewing the Village's budget for the current fiscal year, and observing the budget planning process for this next fiscal year, I see that the village operates fairly lean as it is. To attract growth not only of businesses in Downtown Lombard, but also throughout the Village, we must remain a business-friendly environment. Raising taxes will limit our attractiveness to future businesses that are considering joining our community. And if there exists a path to decrease the Village's need for tax dollars, without sacrificing service levels from Village departments, I will find it.Talking with your friends and neighbors, what seems to be their biggest public safety concern? Explain the concern as you see it, and discuss how you think it should be addressed.The safety issues raised to me are concerns about the speed of traffic along Main Street, Grace Street and St. Charles Road. I've spoken to members of the Village's Transportation and Safety Committee about these roadways already and possible solutions include the addition of stop signs along the streets, stop lights, speed bumps/humps, stepped up enforcement by Village Police and even a road diet as described in the current Downtown Lombard Revitalization Guidebook. Each of these options has costs, some more than others. But it is imperative that the concerns of the Village's residents be heard and moved to action. None of these streets is designed to be a fast moving expressway, nor do we want people moving so quickly though the Downtown. The best solutions for Grace Street and Main Street include incorporating bike lanes and appropriately placed stop signs. On areas of Main Street and St. Charles Road, the best solution is narrowing of the roadways (road diet) and improvements in crosswalks.In these tight economic times, municipal budgets have to be prioritized. Where, if anywhere, could the current budget be trimmed, and conversely, are there areas the budget does not give enough money to?In any business structure, the greatest area of challenge is balancing the need for great staff to deliver great services, and the cost of the staff. Our challenge here is no different. Fortunately, the state legislature is beginning to understand the challenge that burdensome public pensions place upon the local municipalities. Though pension reform has taken a small step forward in Illinois, more reform will need to come in a way that continues to provide appropriate levels of benefit to our police, fire and municipal department staff while decreasing the burden on the local tax payers.What's one good idea you have to better the community that no one is talking about yet?The community already is talking about the best idea which is to get Downtown Lombard to flourish.