Jack Fields: 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: AntiochWebsite: Candidate did not respond.Office sought: Antioch Township Supervisor (4-year Term)Age: 52Family: I have been married to Kathy for 20 years. We raised 3 daughters, who brought us 3 son-in-laws, and produced 3 beautiful grandchildren.Occupation: Real Estate BrokerEducation: Graduated Antioch Community High School,1979 Graduated Millikin University, BA in Sociology,1983 Earned Real Estate License Il,1993 Earned Real Estate License Il,1994 Graduate of Realtors Institute,GRI,1995 Earned Brokers Real Estate License Il,2012Civic involvement: Lifetime member of St.Ignatius of Antioch Church Open Arms Mission Antioch Area Health Accessibility Alliance (AAHAA) Co-Chairman of N/E Illinois Ducks Unlimited President Founding member Lake County Pheasants Forever Lakes Region Historical Society Main Street Origanzation of Realtors Lakes Area Realtors Association Antioch Township Republican ClubElected offices held: Antioch Republican Precinct Committeeman The Lake County Realtor Association Board of DirectorsHave you ever been arrested for or convicted of a crime? If yes, please explain: NoCandidate's Key Issues Key Issue 1 Communication: The township needs to better the relationship and the communication with it's citizens, businesses, schools, village, fire and rescue, Fox Waterway Agency, Lake County, and State officials.Key Issue 2 Support and Promote: The township needs to support and promote what Antioch has to offer. Antioch and the "Chain of Lakes" have a history of bringing tens of thousands of people to our community each year. The promotion of special events will grow and support our local economy; including businesses, schools, seniors and youth programs.Key Issue 3 Visibility and Accountability: Antioch Township officials need to be more visible. The Township's citizens, businesses, seniors, and youth need greater access to Township officials. Officials should always be available to answer taxpayers questions and should more aggressively represent taxpayers when dealing with entities that the township has intergovernmental agreements.Questions Answers Name the three most important goals or objectives this board should tackle in the coming term. Prioritize them, and briefly discuss why you believe each to be critical, and how the board should go about addressing them.1)Communication- When I'm elected I will update and expand the website to be user friendly. Monthly news letters via email will be posted for those residents/business's who would like to participate. Information regarding fire,rescue, and civil defense will be updated. The monthly meeting will be more productive than the current meetings which only average 12 minutes. I will help the township tap into the networking resources of surrounding communities,lake county,and also the state level. 2)Support and promote: Under my leadership the township and Village will work together to promote "Antioch". The business's in the township have a lot to offer the community. These business bring in thousands of people to the community. I plan for the township to help sponsor such events as the fireworks display,ice fishing derby,fishing events,job fairs,etc. I will help organize Senior events that focus on health care access,transportation, access to physicians, and home care assistance. I will help support and create Youth programs. And finally, I will help facilitate or host a Summer job fair for local businesses and the Lake County and state forest preserves. 3) Visibility and Accountability: I will be visible in the community and will be accountable to its citizens. For example, consider the large amount of acreage owned by the Lake County Forest Preserve that is inside the Antioch Township. Too much of it is closed off to the public. Once I'm elected the township will have more input on these developments, and I will work with lake county to open more of this land to the taxpayers and community. I will aggressively lobby the state for funds and grants for the 30 acre (township)Vern Thelen park off of Rena road. This park was purchased 9 years ago and unfortunately still remains a farmers field. To address these Issues I will urge each trustee(4)to help me to expand the Townships efforts in the following areas: 1)safety (fire,rescue,civil defense) 2)communications (website,letters) 3)parks (senior/youth programs) 4)promotions (business/marketing) 5)governmental (lobbing,lake county,state)In the 21st Century, with municipalities gobbling up vacant land, why are townships needed? Should they be serving a new role? If so, what?Townships government is needed. They serve as a "local" government for the citizens voices to be heard and services to be provided. Whether it is in need of emergency assistance, road maintance, and local knowledge of real estate values.What should be the primary responsibility of township government?TO IMPROVE THE QUALITY OF LIFE IN "ANTIOCH"! With fiscal responsibility,the township government should provide a safe environment,education, services, business opportunities, and protect our environment for all ages now, and generations to come.In these hard economic times, can you identify some township expenses/programs that could be trimmed or eliminated to reduce the tax burden?I have reviewed the budgets and investment reports from 2011-2012 2012-2013. Not being a part of the boards that prepared or audit's the budget, I will refrain from responding to this question at this time. However since 2009, I have reduced the tax burden for some Antioch citizens by analyzing the fair cash value of their real estate.What specific background or experience do you bring that makes you the best qualified candidate to serve as an elected official in the township?I am a 5th generation and life long resident of Antioch and active in the community. I have worked with three elected Township positions. I worked with Blain Ring on the Highway Department. In the Supervisor Office, with Jim Fields, I managed a lawn maintenance program for seniors and helped distribute the government Food Program. With Steve Smouse, I brokered the purchase of a 30 acre park on Rena Ave. in Antioch. In the Assessors Office, with Heather Kufalk-Marotta, I assisted in the development of criteria for comparative market analysis in establishing the true fair cash value on real estate. At the county level, I brokered the land sales of over 400 acres with the Lake County Forest Preserve. Additionally, I worked with the Lake County Administrator liquidating family assets. I have also participated at the state level and lobbied for 14 years in Springfield. Antioch Township needs new leadership with a new vision and positive energy. I am excited and ready to be that leader!