Soojae Lee: Candidate profile

Name: Soojae Lee

City: Buffalo Grove

Office sought: Village Trustee

Age (on election day): 50

Family: Married to Judy with 3 children

Occupation: Attorney

Education: J.D. from Chicago-Kent College of Law; MBA in Finance from Carlson School of Management - University of Minnesota; B.S. in Accounting from University of Illinois-Urbana

Civic involvement: Korean American Association of Chicago and Korean Cultural Center of Chicago

Previous elected offices held: None

Incumbent? No

Website:

Facebook: SoojaeBG2019

Twitter:

Issue questions

What are the most important issues facing your community and how do you intend to address them?

Buffalo Grove is a diverse and vibrant community that needs economic redevelopment and strategic long-term planning. The surrounding villages and cities are redeveloping and Buffalo Grove cannot fall behind. We need to provide successful retail and entertainment venues for the families of Buffalo Grove and I am in support of redevelopment that includes downtown Buffalo Grove.

What makes you the best candidate for the job?

First, I will bring fresh perspective and innovative ideas to the village board. Second, my background as an attorney, CPA, and MBA suits me well to serve as a village trustee. As a real estate attorney with business and financial background, I will bring sound financial planning and management to the Buffalo Grove board of trustees. Third, as an Asian-American candidate, I can add diversity to the board and represent growing Asian-American population in Buffalo Grove.

Describe your leadership style and explain how you think that will be effective in producing actions and decisions with your village board.

I try to lead by example. I ask tough questions when making decisions but look for the big picture and not get bogged down with minute details that adds little to no value. As a trustee, I will plan and work with the village staff in making Buffalo Grove even better place to live and raise a family.

How would you describe the condition of your community's budget, and what are the most important specific actions the town should take to assure providing the level of services people want?

Fortunately, there are no tax increases for the 2019 budget. At the same time, Buffalo Grove definitely needs new tax revenue sources. While the current level of service may be adequate for the time being, with aging infrastructure in need of replacement, the village has to plan and seek innovative and new sources of revenue without overburdening existing residents with additional tax.

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

While not a new idea, as a part of the community engagement initiative, I want to expand and encourage younger residents, high school and junior high students to be more involved in the village matters and take ownership.