Erich Schwenk: Candidate profile

Bio

Name: Erich Schwenk

City: Village of Mundelein

Office sought: Village of Mundelein Trustee

Age: 36

Family: Together, my wife Amber and I have three children: Kenton, 6; Haezley, 8; Nicholas, 13.

Occupation: I have worked in several capacities for Southwest Airlines since 2002. Currently, I'm a Flight Attendant focused on customer service and passenger safety. Over the years, while still employed with Southwest Airlines, I worked for the Labor Union that represents Southwest Airlines Flight Attendants. In 2016 my wife and I started our own small business, EARS Digital Media Inc. We help local small businesses develop digital content (websites, videos, photo).

Education: Point Loma High School; Southwest Airlines Leadership Training; National Labor College, Arbitration Training; Ongoing CPR/AED Trained

Civic involvement: Currently I serve on the board of directors for two area nonprofits: The Mundelein Business Alliance & Lake County Junior Chamber International, where I serve as President. My wife and I attend and support local fundraisers and events to benefit D120, D75, and the STEAM Foundation.

Previous elected offices held: Mundelein Business Alliance - Board Member; Lake County Junior Chamber International (Lake County Jaycees) - Chapter President; Precinct Committeeman, Fremont 123; Transport Workers Union, Local 556 - Board of Election Member; Transport Workers Union, Local 556 - Shop Steward; da Vinci Waldorf School - Board Member

Incumbent? No. If yes, when were you first elected?

Website: HTTPS://www.erichschwenk.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/voteerichschwenk

Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/erichschwenk

Issue questions

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

The Village of Mundelein is working on development throughout the Village and flood mitigation in one neighborhood. While hardest hit, this area isn't the only neighborhood that needs relief. Mundelein's focus should be on its below ground infrastructure first, and then on its plans to grow into a walkable village with a vibrant downtown upon completion of these projects. We must invest in ourselves first to attract developers to further invest in our village's future. Mundelein needs improved street and under street infrastructure. Our Village is aging and new construction has decreased the amount of open ground, resulting in more standing water. Additionally, our sewer system, which usually operates well below capacity, can be overwhelmed when storms occur. This causes sewer backups in homes damaging basements. This I know from personal experience in my own home on multiple occasions. I've seen neighbors sell their homes after floods, and even the home I own was previously foreclosed on after basement damage occurred.

What makes you the best candidate for the job?

I will bring new energy and 21st century ideas to the Board. My experiences serving on various committees and boards have shown that I am a dedicated, innovative leader. I will work with anyone to accomplish goals for our community. I advocate for those in need, whether that's my neighbors after our homes flooded or helping a small business. I'll work to ensure community voices are heard by those who can help. In the past several years I've worked to be more involved in our community through nonprofits like the Mundelein Business Alliance and the Lake County Jaycees. I've regularly attended and spoken at Village of Mundelein meetings. Finally, as a citizen it's my job to hold elected officials accountable and I've worked to increase Board transparency by requesting and publishing previously unavailable records.

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 lead by participating - being involved throughout the steps of a project or process. I talk with those who have information, gather facts, challenge the status quo, and explore new solutions. Having the facts allows conversations with the Village Board to be constructive, on topic, and free of emotion. I look for new opportunities to engage those I'm working with to find alternative solutions. I look for new ways to increase service to our community and reduce cost. I am organized and will help others I work with stay on task. I will develop strategic short and long range plans and meet deadlines. I negotiate effectively. I communicate calmly and respectfully. I research and absorb information quickly, and find innovative solutions to problems.

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?

Each year the Village of Mundelein passes a balanced budget providing for our police, fire, public works, and other departments. Thankfully, Mundelein does a great job in most of these departments and budgets accordingly. That said, there is always room for improvement and increased transparency. Staying on budget is important. Unexpected expenses occur and the Village has reserves to handle those issues. Items that can be budgeted for, should be. This last year we saw the Village Board agree on and budget to erect new gateway signs over five years, paid for from the annual operating budget. Months later the board approved a motion to utilize reserve funds to complete the project ahead of schedule by utilizing reserve funds. Additionally, the Village of Mundelein should only purchase properties they have an immediate need to own. Recent purchases of non-earmarked properties in the downtown area and extended court battles with property owners has only wasted taxpayer money. Properties owned by the Village are tax exempt and now other taxing entities are missing out on revenues.

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

As a board member of the Mundelein Business Alliance, I'd love to see a huge push to support local businesses through a joint venture between the Village Board and Mundelein Business Alliance. Shopping local can have a great impact. When Mundelein residents change their spending habits just a bit each month and spend more locally we'd see increased tax revenue and our local businesses will thrive. Buying local is important, changing where we spend money can have a huge impact. When, collectively, we all move $50 of purchases from outside to local Mundelein businesses each month, we will increase local yearly sales by nearly $19,000,000 and add nearly $200,000 in sales tax revenue to the Village each year. This small individual change has huge benefits for our locally owned businesses and our Village budget.