James Schultz: 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: Vernon HillsWebsite: Candidate did not respond.Twitter: Candidate did not respond.Facebook: Candidate did not respond.Office sought: Vernon Hills Village Board Age: 66Family: Karen Schultz - Wife of 45 yearsJonathan Schultz - SonJennifer Schultz - Daughter3 GrandchildrenOccupation: Logistics Engineering ConsultantEducation: Bachelors - Northeastern Illinois University 1976Civic involvement: Vernon Hills Trustee 12 yearsElected offices held: Village Trustee, Vernon Hills, ILQuestions Answers What makes you the best candidate for the job?First, after having spent 12 years on the Village Board, I have an in-depth understanding of the Villages' needs and operations, along with the financial requirements associated with maintaining a service oriented, triple A (Aaa) financially rated governmental entity. Next, with my broad experience in construction and layout / design, I can and do bring a level of understanding, along with experience in developing creative alternative solutions, when a developer brings a project forward. Finally, I truly enjoy the work, and being self-employed / semi-retired, I have the time and the energy to devote to the position.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.The Village Sales Tax rate is below that of all our neighbors. It is our intent to maintain that current level. Although if the State were to stop sharing Motor Fuel Taxes or Income Taxes with the Village, creating a need to raise revenue, I would be more amenable to raising the Sales Tax rate. This is a tax that is shared by all those who purchase goods from our retail establishments, and is not just a burden carried strictly by our residents. Property Taxes are high, because that is the way the State has determined that School, Fire, Park and Library Districts along with local governments can generate the revenue to fund their operations. Because of the burden that property tax places on residents, we in the Village government have worked so very hard to live within our means. This has allowed us to be one of the few communities that charges $0.00 in Property Taxes. Let me repeat that, there is no Property Tax Charge for the operation, bond indebtedness, pensions or any other service or cost for the Village of Vernon Hills.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?Public Safety services are excellent. The Village has responsibility for the Police Department only. The Fire Protection is supplied by Countryside and the L/RFD. Our Police Department submitted itself for peer review by the national agency, requiring some significant changes in procedures along with additional training and documentation. It was awarded accreditation. Our raw numbers may be slightly higher that other communities, but how many of those communities have a daytime population over 100,000 and major retail drawing petty crimes. If the transient population was the divisor, we would rank in the very top percentile.We entered into an agreement with Countryside FPD to operate a joint 911 Call Center. That center helped Countryside better manage their costs and more quickly handle calls for specific services. This shared center located in the Police Headquarters facility, has attracted other communities to outsource their 911 Operations to us, allowing us to better manage our costs through economies of scale. Personally, I am still concerned with the frightening increase in the tragic loss of life and wellbeing due to illicit and illegal drug use, especially Opioids. We are working with our schools, on programs to provide additional education and intervention resources to our residents. Our Police Department became one of the very first in Lake County to have their Officers certified along with providing them with Naloxone administration kits, saving at least 5 lives. Our Officers patrol cars are also all equipped with AED's, which have also saved a number of lives.Where, if anywhere, could the current budget be trimmed, and conversely, are there areas the budget does not give enough money to?The Village staff has been reduced in size since I have been in office by over 25%. We continuously look at means to employ outside contractors where appropriate so as not to have underutilized staff. An example is the use of GovHR for the recruitment of our new Police Chief versus a fulltime Human Resources employee. We also continuously look at entering into group purchasing agreements to obtain increased value / lower costs. Based on the above I do not believe there is any "fat" that can be trimmed, without adversely affecting the services that are rendered to our residents. If funds were unlimited, I would like to be able to contribute more dollars to road improvement / repair projects, but I am pleased with the current plans that will insure that the infrastructure we have is maintained before it becomes problematic.What is one good idea you have to better the community that no one is talking about yet?I do not know if it is an idea, so much as a concern, as we read about the ongoing store closings of retail giants; Macys, Sears and currently to a lesser extent Penny's. If anyone of those mall anchor stores close, we are going to need to be open to ideas and alternative / complimentary uses (Entertainment complexes, groceries, etc.), insuring that our retail corridor stays relevant and vibrant.What other issues, if any, are important to you as a candidate for this office?The continuing ongoing revitalization of Hawthorn Mall and the build-out of the Vernon Hills Town Center (Milwaukee / Half Day TIF district) are key priorities. Additionally, we need to continue prodding IDOT towards completion of the widening of US-45. We also need to continue the appropriate development of the remaining Greggs Landing commercial space (Milwaukee and Greggs Parkway) along with the Melody Farms Center (Cuneo Trust land on the Northeast Corner of Milwaukee and Townline Road). Also, we need to work in partnership with Loyola University on the restoration / development of the Cuneo Museum Campus. As an aside, the Melody Farms development as planned, will provide the necessary funding to make major improvements (Estimated at $6.5M) to the IL-60 / IL-21 intersection, to alleviate what has been a major bottleneck for years. This work would never get done without this project.Finally, I am a huge supporter of the Marketplace Fairness Act, that has been languishing Congress for over 4 years. This act will insure the collection of Sales Tax on all Internet based purchases. I believe it is incumbent on whomever occupies this office to support and lobby for this initiative, insuring that a continuous revenue stream is maintained for the ongoing functioning of our local government.Please name one current leader who most inspires you.Carol Sente, State Representitive District 59. Thoughtful and Bi-PartisanWhat is the biggest lesson you learned at home growing up?Do unto others as you would have them do unto you, the Golden Rule.If life gave you one do-over, what would you spend it on?I really have no regrets, as I have enjoyed every stage of my life. If pressed I would invest more earlier in equities.What was your favorite subject in school and how did it help you in later life?History / Social Studies. I think it prepared me for being in government.If you could give your children only one piece of advice, what would it be?Don't get hung up in taking pictures and videos, and just enjoy the moments with your kids, as they come along, because they go fast.