Tim Brophy: Candidate Profile:
Bio
Name; Tim Brophy
City: Joliet
Website: www.votetimbrophy.com
Twitter: @TBforTreasurer
Facebook: fb.me/BrophyForTreasurer
Party: Democrat
Office sought: Will County Treasurer
Age: 55
Family: Son, 20; daughter, 19; son, 15
Occupation: Associate Executive Director, North American Spine Society - Burr Ridge, IL; Broker, Dow Realty, Inc. - Joliet, IL
Education:
MBA, The University of Chicago
BA, Illinois Wesleyan University
Civic involvement:
Board President, Will County Habitat for Humanity - current
Board President, The Irish American Society of County Will - current
Board member Joliet Arsenal Development Authority - 2012-present
Member & Past President, Rotary Club of Joliet, Illinois
Board member, Joliet Area Historical Museum - 1999-2011.
Past President, Joliet/Will County Project Pride.
Volunteer - American Cancer Society Relay For Life.
Elected offices held:
Joliet City Councilman, 1995-2011.
Questions & Answers
Q. If you are a newcomer, what prompted you to run?
A. I was raised in a family of service and I believe it is a privilege to serve in public office. Being born and raised in Will County, I care deeply about the success of our communities and institutions.
Also, full-time compensation deserves full-time effort in return and that is not the case with this incumbent. I believe in our system of government and that no incumbent should pass an election untested. I hope voters will evaluate me as prepared, experienced and trustworthy to do this job.
Q. What differentiates you most from your opponent in the race?
A. Elected Leadership calls for at least full-time effort, but true leadership means extra effort to solve the problems of the day. Taxpayers are most concerned with the relatively high property taxes and the lack of sufficient State funding for schools. There could be good news on the school funding front with regard to the share paid for by the State of Illinois. New funding plans for K-12 public schools tilts funding toward districts with lots of high-need students and low Equalized Assessed Valuation (EAV.) As a result, some school districts will see changes in state funding. These changes in state funding could relieve the pressure on school boards to raise property taxes. As a fully engaged County Treasurer, I will help voters understand that the reason their property taxes are so high but the new school funding formula is a historic step toward the state increasing its share so the local share can stop growing.
Q. What would you change about the way the office operates? Why? What other issues, if any, are important to you as a candidate for this office?
A. 1. The Treasurer is a management position that requires the presence of the office holder. Tax- payers deserve full-time work for full-time pay. Presently that is not the case. I will show up to work.
2. Full transparency in government, especially the handling of money, is paramount to guaranteeing the public's trust. This office can do much more to share facts with taxpayers and other stakeholders.
3. The justification of current deposit location decisions is not clear. Strategic deposits instead of politically influenced application of County financial deposits would allow the office to influence economic development in areas of need.
In addition to the above, the following questions provide more personal insight into you as a person:
Q. What's the hardest decision you ever had to make?
A. Did not answer
Q. Who is your hero?
A. St. Francis of Assisi, who calls us to be in the service of others.
Q. Think back to a time you failed at something? What did you learn from it?
A. Did not answer.