Mark Elkins: 2025 candidate for Hanover Park village president

Bio

Office sought: Hanover Park village president

City: Hanover Park

Age: 50

Occupation: Commercial lender/real estate investor

Previous offices held: Hanover Park Park District Commissioner since 1995

Why are you running for this office? Is there a particular issue that motivates you? Also, what makes you the best candidate for the position?

I’m running for mayor because Hanover Park should work for its residents, not treat them like a source of revenue.

Right now, our village collects over 30% more in fines per resident than neighboring towns like Bartlett and Carol Stream — placing an unfair burden on working families.

This hidden tax is being used to fill budget gaps instead of funding our community the right way. I want to end revenue-driven enforcement, lower penalties for non-criminal violations, and refocus on real public safety and economic growth.

Our budget should support residents, not exploit them. Hanover Park deserves leadership that prioritizes fairness, transparency, and opportunity for all.

What is the most serious issue your community will face in coming years and how should leaders respond to it?

The single most serious issue facing Hanover Park is the failure to update and execute long-term planning initiatives.

Without urgent action, the village risks economic stagnation, infrastructure decline, and missed opportunities for sustainable growth.

Leaders must modernize planning efforts, secure funding, and take proactive steps to attract businesses, improve infrastructure, and create a thriving, connected community.

Additionally, the village website is not updated with the most recent audit reports as it states should be there on the site. This hides the basic financial condition of the village from the general public, which is never a good thing. These reports should be posted immediately.

How would you describe the state of your community's finances? What should be the top priorities for spending during the next few years? Are there areas of spending that need to be curtailed?

Hanover Park’s finances are stable but face long-term risks. Pension obligations have risen nearly 80% for police and 65% for fire in the last eight years, while key revenue sources like sales tax and utility taxes are declining.

The village is also overly reliant on fines — collecting 30% more per resident than neighboring towns — to fill budget gaps. Our top spending priorities must be infrastructure, business development, and public safety, but we need to shift away from using fines and fees as a revenue crutch.

We should curtail unnecessary administrative costs, focus on securing outside funding for major projects, and encourage economic growth to expand our tax base.

Additionally, I believe the park district should handle all recreation needs — the village should discontinue all but the most basic spending in that realm while fully supporting the efforts of our park and library districts to serve the community effectively.

What do you see as the most important infrastructure project you must address? Why and how should it be paid for? Conversely, during these uncertain economic times, what project(s) can be put on the back burner?

Hanover Park and the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District (MWRD) share responsibility for stormwater management, and I agree with the current administration that this is a critical issue.

Projects like the Springinsguth West Branch DuPage River Stream stabilization are important, but they are not enough.

Where I differ is in the level of commitment to fully integrating our local efforts with MWRD’s regional resources. The village must do more to secure funding, expand floodplain storage, and modernize drainage systems in a way that reduces financial strain on residents.

I will push for a proactive, long-term strategy that strengthens our infrastructure while maximizing support from MWRD and other agencies. Our residents shouldn’t have to worry about flooding when solutions exist — we just need leadership that prioritizes them.

Describe your leadership style and explain how you think it will be effective in producing effective actions and decisions with your village board.

I believe the village president’s job is to lead, and together with the board, to govern — not to run day-to-day operations. We have a professional village manager and expert staff who handle government operations efficiently.

It’s our job as elected officials to set the policies that guide how we serve and support our community. Good policy — focused on fairness, transparency, and respect for every resident as an individual — creates a stronger community where people can live, work, and play without unnecessary burdens.

This is the same approach I have taken in leading the park district, where I have been wildly successful in ensuring responsible governance, financial stability, and community-focused improvements.

By prioritizing smart policy and working collaboratively, I will ensure that Hanover Park continues to grow as a stronger, more connected community — not through micromanagement, but by providing the leadership and vision that allows our professional staff to do their jobs effectively for the benefit of all.

What’s one good idea you have to better the community that no one is talking about yet?

One idea that would make Hanover Park a stronger, more responsive community is creating a dedicated Community Response Office — a place where residents can turn for help with everyday issues that aren’t police matters but still need attention.

Too often, the first time people know there’s a problem is when they receive a ticket demanding money or a letter ordering compliance — without clear instructions on how to fix the issue in the least painful way. I want Hanover Park to be on our side, making it easier to get the right help, the right answers, and the right action.

This office wouldn’t just provide information — it would have the authority to make decisions and implement one-off plans that help residents come into compliance with the least disruption.

Whether it’s negotiating a payment plan for a water bill, granting a temporary parking exception, or resolving an unfair citation, this office would ensure residents aren’t bounced from department to department. Instead, it would offer real solutions, making sure government works with residents, not against them.