Alan Schneider: 2025 candidate for Prospect Heights Council Ward 2

Bio

Office Sought: Prospect Heights Council Ward 2

City: Prospect Heights

Age: 65

Occupation: Programmer

Previous offices held: None

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

I have attended several city council meetings, and based on my observations, there do not appear to be any significant issues that are not already being addressed.

Given the city's limited revenue from property taxes and its landlocked status due to neighboring municipalities, the focus seems to be primarily on covering routine city expenses, approving or rejecting zoning variances, and identifying infrastructure projects that are typically funded through state and federal grants, rather than emphasizing land and business development.

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?

Based on the financial information, Prospect Heights is in a stable economic position, especially for a small community that receives a tiny percentage of the collected property taxes.

Due to this situation, the city must focus on allocating funds strictly for necessary services rather than desirable or nice-to-have items. The police, fire departments, paramedics, and EMTs are essential services and must be prioritized when developing a budget.

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?

Repairing roads, bridges, sewer lines, and flooding areas should be prioritized. Funding for these existing projects typically comes from state and federal programs, and this focus must be maintained. Those issues that cannot be categorized as needing to be addressed as soon as possible should be actively planned for in the following years.

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 city council.

I have consistently held management and leadership positions throughout my military and civilian career. A key aspect of my success in these roles is ensuring every team member feels heard and respected. Even if their suggestions were not adopted, it was vital for them to know that their input was genuinely considered.

This approach is equally critical when working in a collaborative environment like a city council. I also recognize that, despite my belief in the effectiveness of my proposals for addressing issues, there is always room for improvement. Maintaining an open-minded attitude is crucial for fairly evaluating differing perspectives, ultimately leading to the best possible course of action.

What makes you the best candidate for the job?

During my military career, I spent two years as the Pacific Air Forces (PACAF) Intelligence Directorate's representative on an Air Force-wide project developing the Combat Intelligence System. Over that period, I spent several weeks, a few days at a time, with representatives of other Air Force commands worldwide advocating for PACAF Intelligence units to get the software capabilities they needed and to acquire the most current computer and communication hardware. Shortly before being reassigned from PACAF, my colleagues described me as a “Bulldog,” resolutely representing PACAF Intelligence units.

If I am fortunate enough to be elected as its Alderman, I will use this same tenacity to ensure Ward 2 issues get visibility and their fair share of resources.

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

While walking through the city to gather petition signatures for candidates running in 2024, I noticed that many streets in Prospect Heights lack sidewalks, especially where the road is only wide enough for two cars.

The absence of sidewalks makes these areas unsafe for pedestrians and bicyclists, who are forced to share the limited space with vehicles. If elected, I will prioritize collaborating with state and federal agencies to secure the necessary funding for sidewalk installation in these areas.