Victor Allen: 2025 candidate for Winfield village board

Bio

Office sought: Winfield village board (Vote for 3)

City: Winfield

Age: 61

Occupation: Software engineer

Previous offices held: Homeowners association board member

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

The lawsuit between school districts 34, 94 and the village of Winfield must be settled. The decisions by the current village board have caused nearly $2 million in legal fees to be wasted. The lawsuit could have been avoided had the village put the decision for a new village hall into the hands of the voters where it belongs.

The relationship between the school boards and the village needs to be collegial not adversarial.

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 has an excellent bond rating, which is a result of fiscal discipline. The village should encourage new businesses to come to Winfield to enhance its revenue base. It should poll existing business to find simple ways to make them more successful. Good businesses provide goods and services that the residents want.

The village should stop spending on speculative real estate projects: such as acquiring a house on Roosevelt Road and tearing it down which removes it from the tax rolls.

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?

Instead of using TIF funds which will divert approximately $22 million over the next 20 years from all taxing bodies, the village should put a binding referendum on the ballot and let the voters decide the future of their village hall. Road repairs, sewer and water infrastructure need to remain on the top lines of the budget.

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.

In the private sector, I sat on several steering committees to determine company policy with all of the primary stake holders. Limited resources had to be allocated to come to optimal solutions. I believe that all parties have something to contribute. I actively encouraged participation from all members.

What makes you the best candidate for the job?

I have the taxpayers’ interest at the center of my campaign. Being solid middle class, I understand what families in the village are experiencing with rising costs of living and job instability.

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

Examining the fees the village charges for services, and looking to reduce them where possible.