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Joe Vito: Candidate Profile

Wheeling Village Board

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Note: Answers provided have not been edited for grammar, misspellings or typos. In some instances, candidate claims that could not be immediately verified have been omitted. Jump to:BioQA Bio City: WheelingWebsite: Candidate did not respond.Office sought: Wheeling Village Board Age: 36Family: I have been married to my wife Jamie for 9 years. We have 2 daughters, Ellie age 6 and Julia age 5. My parents live in Prospect Heights and my in laws live in Buffalo Grove.Occupation: AttorneyEducation: I have a J.D. from Chicago-Kent College of Law and BA from the University of Illinois where I graduated with honors.Civic involvement: I am currently a trustee in the Village of Wheeling. Prior to that I was a Plan Commissioner for the Village. I am currently on the Board of Governors of the Northwest Suburban Bar Association. I am also a member of the Lake County Bar Association, the Wheeling-Prospect Heights Chamber of Commerce, and the Northshore-Barrington Association of Realtors.Elected offices held: Trustee- Village of Wheeling Plan Commissioner- Village of Wheeling.Questions Answers What makes you the best candidate for the job?As the youngest candidate and only candidate raising young children in Wheeling, I have the greatest interest in ensuring that the Village of Wheeling remains a strong community and great place to raise a family. Therefore, I am the best candidate for trustee because I will work tirelessly for the future of Wheeling. Although I believe the current Village Board is fully dedicated to ensuring a bright future for Wheeling, I will bring a unique perspective to the Village Board. Similarly, as the only attorney running for trustee, I bring a unique skill set to the Village Board. Specifically, as a litigation attorney I am constantly listening to the concerns of clients,explaining complex issues, considering the views of my opponents and ultimately working towards an amicable resolution to highly contested disputes. The best and most respected elected officials are adept at all these skills and they effectively listen, communicate, advocate, and ultimately resolve conflicts. As an attorney I am already equipped with a refined skill set critical to being a successful and respected Trustee. Finally, I am the best candidate for trustee because I will bring new and fresh ideas to the board. Although the current board has overseen many positive developments in the Village, there is always a benefit to having new and positive ideas considered. Overall, I am the best candidate for trustee because I am dedicated to the future of Wheeling, and I will always listen to, communicate with, and advocate for the residents of Wheeling.What is your opinion of your community's present level of local sales and property taxes? Is the tax just right, too low or too high? Explain.The community's present level of property taxes is too high, however, the Village of Wheeling only represents a very small portion of the overall community property tax burden. The overwhelming majority of a property tax bill stems from the school districts. Regardless, the real pressing problem with property taxes for residents and businesses is not the amount, rather it is the unpredictability from year to year. This unpredictability especially hurts commercial property tax payers as the fluctuations from year to year can be drastic which makes forecasting and budgeting very difficult. The resolution to this problem is effective and long term budgeting in all the taxing bodies. In terms of local sales tax, the amount is at an appropriate level, but freezing sales taxes for new businesses that occupy vacant property could be a way to incentivize economic development in the village.Rate the efficiency of your town's police and fire coverage. Are the departments well prepared for the next decade? What, if anything, should be changed? Do you have specific public safety concerns?Our police and fire departments are very efficient and well prepared for the future. I don't believe any major changes are required at this time. My only public safety concern is the once to twice a year shootings we experience in the village. One occurred in the Winetree Apartments on Wheeling Road about a one year ago and was very close to my house. I do not see these shootings to be in any way a failure of our Police Department. Rather, I think we need to work with the schools to identify gang activity and partner with community leaders and family members to try to curb violence among our youth.Where, if anywhere, could the current budget be trimmed, and conversely, are there areas the budget does not give enough money to?As personnel and staffing costs make up the majority of expenditures, I believe it is critical to be constantly evaluating our staffing needs and cutting out any and all inefficiencies. There are no areas in the budget where I would increase spending.What's one good idea you have to better the community that no one is talking about yet?In order to incentivize new retail in vacant spaces that are not located in TIF districts, I would propose suspending the sales tax for the amount of time the property was previously vacant. For example, if a property was vacant for 13 months, the new retail tenant occupying the formerly vacant property would not have to pay sales tax for 13 months. The longer the property was vacant, the longer the tax break. This proposal incentivizes prospective businesses into leasing long standing vacant property.What other issues, if any, are important to you as a candidate for this office?The town center is very important to me. I see this development as critical to the future of Wheeling. A successful town center with the right mix of businesses and residential property would be the focal point of the village and would energize our local economy. The plans I have seen so far look promising, and as Trustee I will working diligently to ensure this project gets underway promptly.Please name one current leader who most inspires you.Marco Rubio's rise from the son immigrants who worked low wage jobs to become a successful US senator is the embodiment of the American Dream.What's the biggest lesson you learned at home growing up?Nothing is more important than family.If life gave you one do-over, what would you spend it on?I would have been more involved in my community earlier in life.What was your favorite subject in school and how did it help you in later life?Philosophy. Philosophical thinking is critical in formulating and defending legal arguments.If you could give your children only one piece of advice, what would it be?To live life by the golden rule and always treat others the way you wish to be treated.