Harold Lonks: 2025 candidate for Winfield village board

Bio

Office sought: Winfield village board (Vote for 3)

City: Winfield

Age: 66

Occupation: Self-employed

Previous offices held: None

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 issue facing Winfield is a lawsuit. The village is being sued by a local school district over the TIF 2 funding. Between the village and the school district, over $1.5 million has been spent on lawyers, experts and staffing costs fighting this lawsuit which is being paid by Winfield residents.

The length of the lawsuit has already impacted local government units by lowering future property tax collections from the parcels located within the TIF 2 boundaries. This lawsuit needs to be settled so our tax dollars can be spent on supporting village services and educating students, and not paying legal fees.

Without a settlement, future developers could pull their projects leaving Town Center unfinished, breaking an agreement with Central DuPage Hospital, and delaying the relocation of village hall and police department to a larger and updated location.

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?

I have been a member of the Winfield’s administration and finance committee since 2022. The financial condition of the village is strong and continues to improve due to the various sources of revenue.

The largest revenue increase has been the sales tax generated by the Amazon distribution center and the opening of Casey’s on Roosevelt Road.

On the spending side, our village delivers outstanding services with the funds available and are mindful on how it uses the funds for the benefit of the residents. For example, the water department found an alternative to replacing every water meter saving the taxpayers about $750,000.

This savings could be used to replace water mains approaching 100 years of age thereby reducing the number of water main breaks taking place. Any surplus in the budget has been transferred to the police pension fund reducing the village’s pension liabilities.

As our village is very proactive in maintaining a balanced budget and planning for the future expenditures, I don’t see any areas where spending needs to be curtailed at this time.

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?

The most important future infrastructure project in Winfield is the completion of Town Center. When Town Center is completed, there will be new residential housing units, business structures, village hall, and police department facility.

These projects can be partially or completely funded by using a tax increment financing. TIF funding comes from the incremental new property taxes generated by the redeveloped property. A special TIF fund is created and then used to pay for certain costs within the designed TIF area.

This approach is a win-win for the residents, getting redevelopment without increasing property taxes for the residents. While we are going through uncertain economic times. I believe these projects will enhance the future of Winfield. None of these projects should be put on the back burner because they are needed by the community.

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 work experience on various boards and committees over the years. Currently, I am a member of the Winfield administration and finance committee and Winfield Foundation, and a prior member of the CUSD200 Citizens Advisory Committee, Enrollment Committee, and Community Engagement Committee.

I have served on Klein Creek HOA board dealing with agreements and working with local government entities. As one can imagine, every board member will have different opinions on varying topics. I respect the opinions of others even if I do not agree with them. Hearing different opinions allows the chance to form policies or ordinances that will hopefully benefit the residents.

What makes you the best candidate for the job?

My experience in public service and putting the interests of others before my personal interests makes me the best candidate for village trustee.

Serving on the administration and finance committee for over 3 years has provided me with knowledge on the finances and operations of the entire village. My education and career have been in finance, accounting and business management.

This experience serves as a strong background to execute the responsibilities of the trustee position. I have also been part of other public committees and nonprofit boards dealing with revenue, spending, budgets, capital expenditures, legal issues, contracts, and working with other government entities.

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

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