Kevin Wiley: Candidate Profile

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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: West ChicagoWebsite: www.kevinwiley.orgTwitter: Candidate did not respond.Facebook: Candidate did not respond.Office sought: DuPage County board District 6 Age: 57Family: My wife Laura and I have been married for 28 years and have three adult children.Occupation: Colonel, United States Army ReserveEducation: Masters of Business Administration, Keller Graduate School of Management Masters of Project Management, Keller Graduate School of Management and Bachelors of Business Administration, Western Michigan UniversityCivic involvement: As a soldier, I have been serving for over 34 years in the United States Army and the United States Army Reserve. I am also the co-founder of Runner3.org aiding Veterans and their families throughout the U.S.Elected offices held: 3-years as a District-6 DuPage County Board Member 3-years as Trustee for the Bartlett Fire Protection DistrictQuestions Answers Why are you running for this office, whether for re-election or election for the first time? Is there a particular issue that motivates you? If so, what?To continue the transformation of County Government as a leaner and more effective advocate for our community. I will continue to strive to make every citizens' experience with DuPage County easy and reliable in ways that will leave them feeling that we are proactive, personal, and empathetic servants to the community.What is your stance on county board members' pay? Too high, too low, just right? Would you propose any changes?The pay is appropriate to attract a professional board and enabling them the time to engage on behalf of the DuPage County Residents.With DuPage County's budget being squeezed by the state funding reductions, what initiatives would you support to increase revenue and/or save money?Squeezed is putting it lightly. As a county in the state of Illinois our fiscal constraints are just beginning. Unfortunately for us all, most government entities have figured out that it is easier to tell you to tighten your belt than it is for them to tighten theirs. Not in DuPage County however. We have reduced the DuPage County budget by more than $38 million since FY 2011. We cut the County sales tax by a quarter cent in 2016, putting $36 million back in taxpayers' pockets annually. We reformed our employee benefits saving a projected $20 million over 20-years. We've worked with our DuPage Water Commission reformed to pay off $70 million in debt early and renegotiated bonds, saving more than $12 million in interest. These outcomes don't happen by accident either. As Chairman of the Strategic Planning Committee, I worked with my fellow Board Members to rewrite the County's Strategic plan and roll out our Lean initiatives across all departments. The effort has been embraced by our staff and their inputs help guide us in our quest to cut cost and improve service. As the Chairman of the Technology Committee, I am reviewing our technology investments across our operations. We to be certain we seize the opportunity that lies within our People, Process, and Technology to transform our government to one of optimal efficiency and value to the taxpayer.What are your thoughts about the county's Accountability, Consolidation and Transparency Initiative? What role should DuPage play in efforts to streamline and consolidate local government?We have led the efforts and dissolved four units of local government and have two more dissolution efforts in progress. We are also working to consolidate DuPage Election Commission and County Clerk's offices. New organizational structures for a new era. Illinois has just under 7,000 independent units of Government. Pennsylvania is 2nd with almost 2000 fewer units of government. This dramatically affects our ability to manage your limited resources and set priorities as defined by our residents. Simply put there are structural problems that must be addressed to maximize the effectiveness of your tax dollars and thoughtful consolidation is certainly one of the areas that must be addressed. Eliminating redundant services, consolidating around best practices, and collaborating with the various units of government to improve services and reduce the size and scope of government. The county needs to partner with our sister governmental entities to better serve our communities. Consolidation is about how we do the work efficiently, not who does the work. As a result of our efforts, a dialog is taking place that is healthy. DuPage County is certainly a stakeholder in those discussions but our sister governmental entities are equal partners in the discussion of how we are to best serve our community.What initiatives, if any, do you have in mind for your specific county board district?Economic Growth is vital to our region and Western O'Hare expansion is a key driver for that growth which directly impacts District 6. As a member of the Economic Development Committee and the Development Committee, I will be partnering with my fellow board members to engage our sister counties in developing this for the benefit of us all. Additionally, as a member of the Finance Committee, I would like to explore more fully the impact of the Internet sales on our sales tax revenue. We need to be able to track the sales tax due to the county as a result of this activity to either regain a lost revenue stream or at the very least accurately project the revenues we have to work with.What other issues, if any, are important to you as a candidate for this office?35% of the babies born in DuPage hospitals go home to families living below the poverty line. Our youth are graduating from colleges with unprecedented debt and degrees that are unnecessary for the jobs available. Seniors are being taxed out of their homes and struggling to survive later in life. These are all indications that there is something out of balance in our world and too many people are quick to point a finger. We need leaders who are willing to invest in their communities and stand along side of their fellow man. Together we can create an environment rich in opportunity for everyone's success.Please name one current leader who most inspires you.James Mattis, Secretary of Defense.What is the biggest lesson you learned at home growing up?Hard work and eternal optimism.If life gave you one do-over, what would you spend it on?Found my wife soonerWhat was your favorite subject in school and how did it help you in later life?History. As military officer it has helped give context to the world eventsIf you could give your children only one piece of advice, what would it be?If it is to be it is up to me.