A financial incentive to move to Streamwood? Candidate proposes idea
The importance of economic development and a proposal to offer financial incentives to draw new residents are among the issues in the race for Streamwood village trustee.
Second-time candidate Rezwanul Haque and incumbents James Cecille, Lawrence Schmidt and Mary Thon are running for three seats with four-year terms on the board. Schmidt defeated Haque in a 2017 write-in race to fill the final two years of the late Trustee Guy Patterson's four-year term.
While commercial development is on the minds of all four candidates, it was Haque - the owner of Eastern Halal Foods & Groceries and the neighboring Lazzat Banquets in Streamwood - who raised the idea of a financial incentive for new residents.
While not certain yet what form it would take, he suggests six months of free water service as one possibility. The reason for such incentives, Haque said, is to build on the number of households contributing to property taxes, the village's main source of revenue.
Cecille, who's been a trustee for 32 years, said the village works hard to attract and retain businesses, which he believes is the path to keeping residents' taxes low. He added that he worked with Haque on the completion of what was inevitably a tough project to convert an old bank into a banquet hall.
"People come to Streamwood and buy houses for a reason," Cecille said.
"They hear that Streamwood is a good town to live in and the village board works very hard to keep their taxes low."
Thon said the village has been focused on economic growth during her eight years on the board - bringing in Fresh Express and Elgin Toyota of Streamwood, for instance - resulting in its property tax levy not increasing during her tenure.
While she said she appreciates the idea of an incentive for new residents, Thon believes it would be unfair for existing residents to subsidize a break for newcomers.
The village's concentration on balancing its budget and growing its businesses has allowed it to keep up with basic services without raising taxes, she added.
Schmidt, who's retired after a 32-year career in marketing and information technology for the U.S. Postal Service, declined to be interviewed by the Daily Herald but submitted a statement on the reasons for his run.
"During my second term I will continue to work on keeping the tax rate flat, as well as working on implementing items we have identified in our village comprehensive plan," he wrote. "I will work with our community and planning commissions to encourage and welcome new businesses into our village. I will continue to focus on providing great services to our residents."
Election Day is Tuesday, April 2.