Asad Khan: 2025 candidate for Streamwood mayor

Bio

Office Sought: Streamwood mayor

City: Streamwood

Age: 65

Occupation: Technology sales management

Previous offices held: Poplar Creek Library Trustee

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 am running for village president because I believe Streamwood needs new leadership that prioritizes the needs of its residents. For too long, we’ve seen rising property taxes, declining population, empty storefronts, and outdated government services. I want to bring fresh ideas and modern solutions to revitalize our community, attract new businesses, and ensure that Streamwood is a place where families and businesses thrive.

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

The most serious issue Streamwood will face in the coming years is population decline, coupled with rising property taxes. Since 2020 almost 2,500 people left Streamwood. This creates a cycle where fewer people means less tax revenue, which in turn impacts the quality of local services and infrastructure. Leaders should respond by focusing on economic revitalization — bringing manufacturing and service jobs back to the area, providing job training, and offering incentives for businesses to invest in the town.

Additionally, implementing measures to reduce property taxes and modernizing government services (such as creating an online portal or app) can help make the community more attractive to potential residents.

Strengthening public safety through community policing and expanding mental health services will also help retain residents and attract new families.

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?

Streamwood’s finances are likely stretched due to population decline, which affects tax revenue, while residents are also burdened with rising property taxes. The lack of modernization in government services adds further strain.

Top Priority of spending

1. Infrastructure Improvements: Enhancing roads, public spaces, and creating an online government portal or mobile app will make Streamwood more livable and appealing to new residents

2. Mental Health Services: Address the lack of mental health resources by partnering with local organizations and healthcare providers to offer services. This will improve overall well-being and reduce strain on emergency services.

3. Economic Development: Invest in bringing back manufacturing and services jobs and supporting local businesses.

Areas to Curtail:

Non-Essential Services: Review and streamline spending on non-essential services or projects that do not directly benefit residents or improve infrastructure.

Administrative Costs: Look for efficiencies in government operations and cut down on unnecessary administrative expenses, which could be reinvested into community-driven projects.

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?

Most Important Infrastructure Project:

The most important infrastructure project to address is modernizing government services, specifically creating an online portal or mobile app. This would streamline access to services, such as paying bills, applying for permits, and accessing key town information, improving convenience and reducing the administrative burden.

A modernized digital infrastructure also enhances communication with residents, making Streamwood more efficient and appealing to potential new residents and businesses. Additionally, improving public transportation options and upgrading roads to support businesses and residential areas would attract new people to the community and encourage local investment.

To fund these look for Federal and State Grants also find Public and Private Partnership

Projects That Can Be Put on the Back Burner: During uncertain economic times, luxury or non-essential projects such as:

• High-end, non-essential public spaces (e.g., elaborate parks or community centers).

• New construction projects that could drain resources without direct community impact or return on investment

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 is collaborative and results-driven. I believe in listening to diverse perspectives, encouraging open dialogue, and building consensus around key issues. I understand that as village president, I will be working alongside the village board, so fostering a team-oriented environment where everyone feels heard and valued is crucial. I am not afraid to make tough decisions when necessary, but I ensure that those decisions are informed by the needs and input of the community and fellow board members.

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

One idea I have is to create a community-led “Streamwood Skills Hub” that focuses on lifelong learning, job training, and personal development. While there are discussions around job training for youth and manufacturing, a more comprehensive and ongoing skills development program could help both young people and adults. This could offer classes in tech, trade skills, financial literacy, entrepreneurship, and even personal development areas like mental health awareness and leadership.

By partnering with local businesses, educational institutions, and nonprofits, we could offer these programs for free or at a low cost. Residents could earn certifications, improve their skill sets, and increase their employability, which would be a major boost to both the local economy and the community as a whole.

Additionally, having an accessible place where residents can come to learn new skills could help prevent further population decline. I also encourage in Creating a Downtown/Center/Square. A well-designed downtown could help foster a sense of identity, attract visitors, support local businesses, and improve the overall quality of life for residents.