Paul F. Drabik: 2025 candidate for candidate for Downers Grove village council

Bio

Office sought: Downers Grove village council (Vote for 3)

City: Downers Grove

Age: 42

Occupation: Data finance

Previous offices held: Republican Committeeman

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

We have an unaccountable bureaucracy managing our library. The library budget is rubber stamped each year by an appointed board. It is the only unit of government in the village with over 1% tax levy authority that is unaccountable to either representative government or the taxpayer.

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?

Our village is fiscally responsible and has been so consistently. Downers Grove has maintained a general fund balance of 40% of our budgeted expenses. Downers Grove also maintains a AA credit rating.

Another example of fiscal responsibility would be the debt to equalized assessed valuation ratio. We are a home rule village meaning we are not subject to statutes of the state of Illinois that would require us to maintain a ratio of 8.625%.

However, Downers Grove falls well below the that number at 2.83%. With a strong economy and $77 million in cash and investments available for liquidity purposes Downers Grove holds a AAA bond rating from Standard & Poor's. I would say that maintaining that standard and keeping tax rates low for citizens is a main priority for my campaign.

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?

I do think these economic times are uncertain. In those cases I think that only the necessary infrastructure projects for things like stormwater, streets, sanitation, replacing lead water pipes, and similar projects are necessary.

Downers Grove is committed to beautification projects in the coming years and if we are to experience further economic turmoil I'm not sure that would be the fiscally responsible approach to governance. I think any beautification would need to be put on the back-burner in the unfortunate case of further economic downturn.

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 council.

I’ve worked in multiple group settings to determine policy, plan events, and budget. I’ve worked with the American Legion. I’ve worked with the Downers Grove Township Republican Organization as a consultant, and I’ve worked as a communications manager for a men's wellness non-profit.

My approach has always been collaborative. I am assertive. I believe that if you are working in a group you are there to provide your individual perspective. Sometimes that could be the same as others. Sometimes it could be different. Consistency would require that your honest perspective is conveyed, with respect, to the group. I believe I have provided that and would continue to work in that style on the village council.

What makes you the best candidate for the job?

I have a history of public service going back to my teenage years living next door to Downers Grove in Westmont. There I worked for the street department in public works for five summers. I did concrete, blacktop, sewer maintenance, brush pickup, among other things. I learned the value of hard work and not to take for granted the infrastructure of the community or the people that make the sacrifices to maintain it.

I carried that on to my combat service with the US Army’s 1st Infantry Division where I protected the city of Ramadi, Iraq from terrorist insurgents and helped to rebuild the community. There I trained law enforcement and new Army personnel. I also became EMT certified witnessing first hand, the toll our brave emergency responders endure to save lives.

In addition, I’ve served with the American Legion and a men’s wellness nonprofit doing charity work within the community. Lastly, I have served for over two years on the Downers Grove Human Services Commission helping to bring awareness of different social services to our community. I would put that record of service up against any candidate in this race.

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

Recently the governor removed the state grocery tax. However, the rub is that the municipalities depended on that tax revenue as it was one of the only, if not the only, 1:1 tax revenue the state administered and allocated to the municipalities in full. The result was the bill afforded the municipalities the authority to levy the tax themselves.

Naturally, the municipalities will have depended on that revenue for their budgets. Downers Grove appears to be poised to replace that revenue by using their newfound tax levy authority to replace the tax in full. My only suggestion is that there be a conversation about spending as well. It is not just an opportunity to levy a new tax as a municipality.

It can also be an opportunity to lower that former tax burden by assessing the possibility of cutting spending so as to lower the tax burden on the citizen. If it is not feasible so be it. We should at least have the conversation.