Jim Malone: 2025 candidate for Carpentersville village board

Bio

Office Sought: Carpentersville village board

City: Carpentersville

Age: 58

Occupation: Retired Union Sheet Metal Worker

Previous offices held: Carpentersville village board trustee since 2019

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

Balancing increasing costs while maintaining service to our residents. Finding increasing forms of revenue to keep taxes flat while improving infrastructure and growing our village.

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?

Carpentersville finances are in excellent shape. The tax levy has not increased for eight years and we are ahead of the state required funding for our police and fire pension funds.

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?

We are in the process of building a new village hall/police station to replace the almost 50-year-old existing building. We are in the very beginning planning stage and more information will be coming soon.

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.

My style is to listen more than speak. I think everything through and am open to all ideas.

What makes you the best candidate for the job?

I have six years of experience and have built relationships with other community leaders to help provide the best for Carpentersville. I also have the construction experience to ensure our many upcoming developments are build to last for years to come.

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

The idea I have is shared by many and is now in the “red tape” portion of the project. I am talking about the traffic issues surrounding the Woodman's/Menards retail area. This area needs to be made much safer and we have been working on this for some time.