Allen Skillicorn: 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: East DundeeWebsite: www.allenskillicorn.comOffice sought: East Dundee Village Board Age: 40Family: Married to Heather. We live in Dunridge neighborhood of East Dundee with a 4 year old Doberman named McFly.Occupation: Marketing Director, Power Electronics Inc. Located in East Dundee, IL.Education: Graduated from Dundee Crown High School, AA from ECC with 2 additional years of college.Civic involvement: Director of Grassroots Revolution, a local good government group. Volunteer with the Northern Kane County Chamber of Commerce. Volunteer with the Illinois Policy Institute. Volunteer with Therapy Dogs, Inc.Elected offices held: East Dundee TrusteeQuestions Answers What makes you the best candidate for the job?In my first term, I've consistently been the independent voice asking tough questions and keeping the focus our residents and quality core services. It's easy to attend meetings and rubber stamp the suggestions and initiatives of city staff. I do the hard work necessary to insure real oversight and accountability on village financial matters.What is your opinion of your community's present level of local sales and property taxes? Is the tax just right, too low or too high? Explain.Once the sale tax revenue generated by Wal-Mart is replaced by new businesses, I believe the village can start weaning itself off of property taxes for general expenses. In 2011, I proposed Freeze The Levy, to stop increasing property taxes. With the support of my colleagues, I was able to give residents a break and keep the property tax levy flat. I'm proud East Dundee has been able to Freeze The Levy for three years now, while maintaining or increasing core services. My next goal is to start reducing the property tax levy as new sales tax revenue comes in.Rate the efficiency of your town's police and fire coverage. Are the departments well prepared for the next decade? What, if anything, should be changed? Do you have specific public safety concerns?When the East Dundee Fire Department moved to a modern facility, the Police Department began renovating the old Fire House to use as a 21st Century Police Department. As Chairman of the Public Safety Committee, I strive to find a balance between saving taxpayer money and building appropriate infrastructure for our Police. Currently the largest source of Police calls are minor crimes at Wal-Mart. If and when Wal-Mart leaves, the Police can spend more time in the neighborhoods. This change could affect staffing and how officers work their beats. We have to be open to new ideas to provide the necessary service and help residents save their hard earned dollars.Where, if anywhere, could the current budget be trimmed, and conversely, are there areas the budget does not give enough money to?Our biggest ongoing expenses are employee salaries/pensions. East Dundee's largest capital expenditure is the new Village Hall/Police Station. I'm still shocked my colleagues supported a $6 million construction project to serve our small village of approximately 3,000 residents. It is a gorgeous design, but above and beyond the needs of our town. I will continue to offer alternative ideas to save us money as we proceed into the 21st Century.What's one good idea you have to better the community that no one is talking about yet?We've made great strides in transparency and accountability since I was elected. We now post detailed meeting information and financial records on our website. Our next step should be an online and searchable check register, so Trustees and residents can easily track village expenses. While this simple act to promote transparency doesn't achieve anything on its own, it enables scrutiny and progress. You can't improve what you can't measure.What other issues, if any, are important to you as a candidate for this office?The Daily Herald and other newspapers have pointed out the corruption, bribes, and the safety problems of red light surveillance cameras in Chicago and other suburbs. East Dundee is not Chicago and should not renew the surveillance camera contract next year. The camera's are unwanted, unsafe, and unconstitutional. Residents deserve quality services at a reasonable cost, not gimmicks. As your trustee, I will work hard to balance these needs and put the community first.Please name one current leader who most inspires you.My wife, Heather. We volunteer at St. Alexius with Therapy Dogs, Inc. She has this way with people and they just open up to her.What's the biggest lesson you learned at home growing up?It sounds simple, but it's true. "Work smarter, not harder".If life gave you one do-over, what would you spend it on?I love to study history, personal finance, and economics. Going back to school and pursuing a law degree is a dream of mine.What was your favorite subject in school and how did it help you in later life?Another easy question. I love history. It's not about names and dates, it's about humanity and what we've done, for better or for worse.If you could give your children only one piece of advice, what would it be?Don't be in such a hurry to grow up.