Asif Yusuf: 2025 candidate for Oak Brook village board
Bio
Office Sought: Oak Brook Village Trustee (Vote for 3)
City: Oak Brook
Age: 62
Occupation: Real estate and farming
Previous offices held: Oak Brook Village Trustee 2003-07, 2011-23, DuPage stormwater management committee 2014-present
What is the most serious issue your community will face in the coming years and how should the village board respond to it?
The most serious concern facing our community is public safety. The SAFE-T Act has led to a significant increase in crime in the entire state. If elected, I will support additional resources, both personnel and technology as well as education our residents as to what they can do to be 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 is financially in a strong position with record revenues, however spending has increased as well. The village benefited from several things.
1. The inflation we experienced during and immediately after, higher prices mean more sales tax dollars. 2. Interest rates surged so interest income on our reserves surged 3. Redevelopment of the former McDonald's site on 22nd as well as the site next to Costco. Both creating additional retail facilities and additional sales tax revenues. These were both set in place by the prior board I had served on.
What do you see as the most important infrastructure project the community 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?
Our road and water systems are essential. Work must continue. In the event of a downturn, beautification and forestry would be the first thing to delay.
Describe your experience working in a group setting to determine policy. What is your style in such a setting to reach an agreement and manage local government? Explain how you think that will be effective in producing effective actions and decisions with your village board.
I have previously served 16 years as a village trustee and 10 years on the DuPage Stormwater committee, as well as several committees over the years. I know how to work with others and try to reach something we can agree on, but if we cannot, then you respect the rights of others who disagree and move on. I feel I can be very effective in working with others.
What makes you the best candidate for the job?
Experience, integrity, experience in the business world. I can relate to the homeowner who needs a variance as well as a commercial property owner who requests the same. I can judge what is reasonable and what is over the top. And I always tell the truth, past elections have been marred by candidates who share misleading snippets or just plain lie because they are desperate to win at all costs.
What’s one good idea you have to better the community that no one is talking about yet?
There needs to be more interaction between the elected officials and the public. Community events are very lightly attended by the elected officials, except at election time.