Dominick DiMaggio: Candidate profile

Bio

Name: Dominick DiMaggio

City: Hawthorn Woods

Office sought: Trustee

Age: 55

Family: Wife Maria, Son Anthony, Daughter Daniella and Son Nicholas.

Occupation: Attorney

Education: B.A. Degree from DePaul University and J.D. from DePaul College of Law.

Civic involvement: I was formerly on the Police Commission for the Village of Hawthorn Woods prior to becoming a Trustee.

Previous elected offices held: I have been a Trustee for the Village of Hawthorn Woods since 2010.

Incumbent? If yes, when were you first elected? I am an incumbent Trustee appointed in 2010 and then first elected in 2011.

Issue questions

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

There are numerous pending issues facing our community that need to be addressed. First and foremost is the proposed extension for Route 53. If it goes in as proposed, it will tear through our village as an elevated highway. The noise and light pollution stemming from this would be seen and heard from most of our homes, destroying property values and the peace and tranquillity we currently enjoy. We would also loose the right to develop most of the property in our Village without approval from the Toll Authority. Through the leadership of our Mayor Joe Mancino and the board, we have been able to significantly put the brakes on this project. We will continue to fight to protect our residents and Village. We are also working on solutions to repair our deteriorating roads while keeping our taxes to a minimum.

What makes you the best candidate for the job?

I have been a resident of Hawthorn Woods for approximately 22 years, raised 3 kids in our Village, coached numerous sports teams, and have volunteered my time as a Police Commissioner, Planning, Building & Zoning liaison and Trustee. I love the friendliness of the people that live here and being a long time resident of Hawthorn Woods. Being a practicing attorney, I have extensive experience in legal matters facing our village and can use my knowledge to benefit our residents.

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

I have a proven record as an effective Trustee who's primary concern is what is best for our Village and residents. We have a Mayor and board that work extremely well together and have taken the Village from the brink of financial ruin to an extremely efficient, solvent and successful Village. My leadership style and philosophy is that government should be your ally and make your life easier not create bureaucracy and make life more difficult.

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?

Our budget is now in excellent condition as we have implemented a Priority Based Budget and scrutinize every tax dollar spent as if it were our own money, because it is.

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

I would like to see a vibrant, walkable downtown area where we can enjoy restaurants, bars, community and shopping year round as well as relieving some of the tax burden from our residents. We are working toward that. The biggest hesitation developers have had in the past is the lack of density in our Village. The numerous new subdivisions added are getting us one step closer to achieving this goal.