John M. Skillman: 2025 candidate for Carpentersville village president

Bio

Office Sought: Carpentersville village president

City: Carpentersville

Age: 62

Occupation: Sales manager

Previous offices held: Village president since 2017

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?

My vision for Carpentersville includes improving aging infrastructure, driving economic development, and enhancing public safety. I actively engage with residents, ensuring their voices are heard, building consensus, and promoting government transparency. I am dedicated to advocating for and representing all residents, ensuring everyone has a voice in shaping the future of our community.

As village president over the past eight years, I have been driven by a vision to improve efficiency and accountability in local government. We have strived to effectively service all of our residents — prioritizing community investments, revitalizing neglected infrastructure, and enhancing residents’ quality of life. Carpentersville is stronger than ever, and I remain committed to building on this momentum.

As a lifelong resident of Carpentersville, I remain committed to making our village the best it can be. I proudly served over 30 years with the Carpentersville Fire Department, including the rank of fire chief. My education includes a Master’s degree in Management and Leadership, a Bachelor’s degree in Fire Science Management, and a graduate of the National Fire Academy Officer Program.

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

Our greatest challenge in the coming years is the need to develop long-term economic development that will support the future needs of the village and its residents in the areas of infrastructure improvements, housing, community needs, and the increasing demand on village services such as public safety needs.

The key issues I see in Carpentersville include infrastructure upgrades, with ongoing road and utility projects like the village’s recently completed lead pipe replacement program in Old Town, economic diversification, ensuring business growth beyond retail while using incentives responsibly; and the development of affordable housing, alongside fostering community inclusivity in a diverse population.

Leaders should respond with proactive infrastructure planning, prioritizing funding for roads and utility replacement. Balanced economic policies can attract businesses while maintaining responsible land use. Smart housing strategies, including our partnership with Habitat for Humanity, can expand affordable options. Continued public safety enhancements, such as increasing the number of police and firefighters on the street each day, will make our village residents safer.

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?

The village of Carpentersville maintains a structured, transparent financial system. The Audit and Finance Commission meets bimonthly to oversee fiscal matters and ensure responsible management of the village’s finances.

For the eighth consecutive year, Carpentersville has maintained a balanced budget with no tax increases. Staff was directed to keep the tax levy flat once again and we are reducing the property taxes for over $2 million, directly saving Carpentersville residents and businesses money in fiscal year 2025. Local governments rarely return money to taxpayers, but through careful planning and sound fiscal management, we did just that this year.

Carpentersville also maintains a modest reserve fund to offset major capital expenses, such as large infrastructure or facility upgrades that have been ignored for far too long. These reserve fund reduces financial strain on residents when these projects arise. Additionally, we proactively secure state and federal grants, such as funding for the lead pipe replacement in Old Town the last few years which made Carpentersville one of the first 100% lead-free communities in Illinois.

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?

The village is currently focusing on several critical infrastructure projects to enhance community well-being and support growth. The most important project that we are in the planning stages for is the installation of a redundant water supply system to supply our residents on the west side of the village.

Currently, if there is a failure in the water system, all residents and businesses on the west side will be affected. This project is going to take a lot of time and resources to execute, but we must ensure our residents have the ability to have a safe, clean, and uninterrupted supply of drinking water throughout all areas of the village.

We are currently working hard on our Old Town Area Improvement Project. This includes pavement reconstruction, new sidewalks, curbs and gutters, enhanced street lighting, and improvements to storm sewers, water mains, and sanitary systems.

Finally, the L.W. Besinger Drive Reconstruction project which is funded partly by a $1.8 million federal grant, aims to resurface and reconstruct sections of L.W. Besinger Drive. Plans include new curbs, gutters, pedestrian enhancements, storm sewer improvements, and street lighting.

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

My leadership style has always been transformational leadership. I think this style is well suited for a village president as this approach allow me to focus on inspiring and motivating the community, staff, and other elected officials toward a shared vision, which fosters a sense of unity and progress. This allows me to communicate a clear vision for the village’s future and works to engage all those involved toward a common goal.

As village president, I pride myself on receiving input from diverse group of people and ensuring our village’s actions reflect the needs of the community. I work hard to be empathetic to the needs of our residents and our business owners, hearing their concerns and building trust. I am extremely open to innovation and change and to do what is best for our community and our village to bring us into the future.

I pride myself on holding myself and village staff accountable. This ensures that promises are kept, and goals are met. I want our residents to know that their goals are my goals and together we will make the future Carpentersville even better for generations to come.

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

East Side Revitalization Program: The village is undertaking a revitalization project along the Route 25 corridor, from Northlake Parkway to Robin Road. This project will enhance the area with upgraded roadway lighting, new green spaces, landscaped medians, and improved landscaping throughout the corridor. With support from the state, we will also add new sidewalks and crosswalks to better serve the east side of Carpentersville.

In addition, we expect new developments at the Meadowdale Shopping Center, bringing fresh business and dining options to residents. Our goal is that this investment in the Route 25 corridor will foster collaboration with existing businesses, helping them grow and improve their own businesses as well.

As part of the revitalization, the iconic Carpentersville water tower will receive an artistic makeover, featuring contributions from local artisans. The design will include significant symbols of Carpentersville’s history, such as the national and state flags, a tribute to Meadowdale Raceway, and memorials to the Korean War and President JFK.